UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from __________ to __________

 

Commission File Number: 001-35561

 

 

 

 

 

IDEANOMICS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 20-1778374
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

55 Broadway, 19 th Floor

New York, NY 10006

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

212-206-1216

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

(Former name if changed since last report)

 

No. 4 Drive-in Movie Theater Park,

No. 21, Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China 100125

(Former address if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   x     No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes   x     No   ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “larger accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer                  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  x Smaller reporting company x
  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. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ¨       No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 102,266,066 shares as of November 10, 2018.

 

 

 

     

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

OF IDEANOMICS, INC.

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I -FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements 3
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 34
Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 45
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 45
     
PART II -OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 46
Item 1A. Risk Factors 46
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 63
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 63
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 63
Item 5. Other Information 63
Item 6. Exhibits 64
Signatures 65

 

References

 

Except as otherwise indicated by the context, references in this report to the following:

(i) the “Company,” “Ideanomics,”, “IDEX”, “we,” “us,” and “our” are to Ideanomics, Inc.(formerly known as Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.), a Nevada corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries and variable interest entities;
(ii) “CB Cayman” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary China Broadband, Ltd., a Cayman Islands company;
(iii) “Exchange Act” refers to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
(iv) “Hua Cheng” refers to Hua Cheng Hu Dong (Beijing) Film and Television Communication Co., Ltd., a PRC company 39% owned by Sinotop Beijing and 20% owner of Zhong Hai Media;
(v) “PRC” and “China” refer to People’s Republic of China;
(vi) “Renminbi” and “RMB” refer to the legal currency of China;
(vii) “SEC” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;
(viii) “Securities Act” refers to Securities Act of 1933, as amended;
(ix) “Sinotop Beijing” or “Sinotop” refers to Beijing Sino Top Scope Technology Co., Ltd, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements;
(x) “SSF” refers to Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited, a PRC company controlled by YOD Hong Kong through contractual arrangements;
(xi) “U.S. dollar,” “$” and “US$” refer to United States dollars;
(xii) “VIEs” refers to our current variable interest entities, Sinotop Beijing, and Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited;
(xiii) “Wecast Services” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Group Limited (formerly known as Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited,) a Hong Kong company;
(xiv) “Wecast SH” refers to Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited, a PRC company 51% owned by the Company;
(xv) “Wide Angle” refers to Wide Angle Group Limited, a Hong Kong company 55% owned by the Company;

(xvi) “Zhong Hai Media” refers to Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media Co., Ltd., a PRC company 80% owned by Sinotop Beijing until June 30, 2017

  2  

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

 

IDEANOMICS, INC., ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018

 

  Page
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets 4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations 5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) 6
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 7
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Equity 8
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 10

 

  3  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    September 30, 2018     December 31, 2017  
          (As adjusted*)  
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash   $ 16,030,248     $ 7,208,037  
Restricted cash     -       369,280  
Accounts receivable, net     105,534,523       26,962,085  
Licensed content     16,958,148       16,958,149  
Inventory     216,453       216,453  
Prepaid expenses     1,995,538       2,202,728  
Other current assets     3,054,573       2,276,096  
Total current assets     143,789,483       56,192,828  
Property and equipment, net     258,053       127,275  
Intangible assets, net     3,124,979       148,874  
Goodwill     1,399,646       -  
Long term investments     18,767,510       6,975,511  
Other non-current assets     383,797       -  
Total assets   $ 167,723,468     $ 63,444,488  
LIABILITIES, CONVERTIBLE REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK AND EQUITY                
Current liabilities: (including amounts of the consolidated VIEs without recourse to Ideanomics, Inc. See Note 3)                
Accounts payable   $ 33,390,027     $ 26,829,593  
Deferred revenue     588,824       222,350  
Accrued interest due to a related party     109,808       20,055  
Accrued salaries     720,385       737,072  
Amount due to related parties     71,908,057       434,030  
Other current liabilities     1,906,147       801,560  
Convertible promissory note due to a related party     3,074,197       3,000,000  
Total current liabilities     111,697,445       32,044,660  
Convertible note, net of debt discount     10,734,949       -  
Deferred tax liabilities     673,706       -  
Other non-current liabilities     -       384,243  
Total liabilities   $ 123,106,100     $ 32,428,903  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)                
Convertible redeemable preferred stock:                
Series A - 7,000,000 shares issued and outstanding, liquidation and deemed liquidation preference of $3,500,000 as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively   $ 1,261,995     $ 1,261,995  
Equity:                
Common stock - $0.001 par value; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized,  77,246,801 and 68,509,090 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively     77,246       68,509  
Additional paid-in capital     190,188,410       158,449,544  
Accumulated deficit     (145,921,262 )     (126,693,022 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (239,775 )     (782,074 )
Total shareholders’ equity     44,104,619       31,042,957  
Non-controlling interest     (749,246 )     (1,289,367 )
Total equity     43,355,373       29,753,590  
Total liabilities, convertible redeemable preferred stock and equity   $ 167,723,468     $ 63,444,488  

 

*The above consolidated balance sheets present the Shanghai Guang Ming Investment Management Limited (“Guang Ming”), acquired from Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd. (“Tianjin”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd. on April 4 2018 as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  4  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
          (As adjusted*)           (As adjusted*)  
Revenue   $ 43,707,937       30,229,255     $ 362,628,296     $ 106,724,866  
Cost of revenue from third parties     42,844,876       28,273,863       115,729,433       100,889,004  
Cost of revenue from related parties     -       -       244,110,132       -  
Gross profit     863,061       1,955,392       2,788,731       5,835,862  
                                 
Operating expenses:                                
Selling, general and administrative expense     4,333,259       3,684,749       16,861,425       8,021,825  
Research and development expense     667,416       400,040       1,393,025       400,040  
Professional fees     1,927,431       839,836       3,280,729       1,888,361  
Depreciation and amortization     291,512       36,952       314,737       294,272  
Impairment of other intangible assets     -       152,847       -       216,468  
Total operating expense     7,219,618       5,114,424       21,849,916       10,820,966  
                                 
Loss from operations     (6,356,557 )     (3,159,032 )     (19,061,185 )     (4,985,104 )
                                 
Interest and other income (expense)                                
Interest expense, net     (145,610 )     (26,029 )     (201,782 )     (70,779 )
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities     -       131,357       -       (112,642 )
Equity in loss of equity method investees     (13,882 )     (23,632 )     (44,316 )     (100,468 )
Other     (925,771 )     72,120       (558,271 )     (38,480 )
Loss before income taxes     (7,441,820 )     (3,005,216 )     (19,865,554 )     (5,307,473 )
                                 
Income tax expense (benefit)     -       -       -       -  
                                 
Net loss     (7,441,820 )     (3,005,216 )     (19,865,554 )     (5,307,473 )
                                 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest     254,973       (22,723 )     637,314       608,910  
                                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders   $ (7,186,847 )   $ (3,027,939 )   $ (19,228,240 )   $ (4,698,563 )
                                 
Basic loss per share   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.08 )
Diluted loss per share   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.05 )   $ (0.27 )   $ (0.08 )
                                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                
Basic     74,063,495       62,146,168       71,574,303       59,594,289  
Diluted     74,063,495       62,146,168       71,574,303       59,594,289  

 

* The above consolidated statements of operation present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  5  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
          (As adjusted*)           (As adjusted*)  
Net loss   $ (7,441,820 )   $ (3,005,216 )   $ (19,865,554 )   $ (5,307,473 )
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of nil tax                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments     708,140       57,374       565,315       760,363  
Comprehensive loss     (6,733,680 )     (2,947,842 )     (19,300,239 )     (4,547,110 )
                                 
Comprehensive loss attributable to non-controlling interest     243,078       (17,517 )     614,298       647,074  
Comprehensive loss attributable to common shareholders   $ (6,490,602 )   $ (2,965,359 )   $ (18,685,941 )   $ (3,900,036 )

 

* The above consolidated statements of comprehensive loss present the Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  6  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2018     September 30, 2017  
          (As adjusted*)  
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net loss   $ (19,865,554 )   $ (5,307,473 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities                
Share-based compensation expense     3,372,447       202,501  
Provision for doubtful accounts     -       103,040  
Depreciation and amortization     314,737       294,272  
Equity in  loss of equity method investees     44,316       100,468  
Loss on disposal of assets     -       683,195  
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities     -       112,642  
Impairment of intangible assets     -       216,468  
Foreign currency exchange losses     -       (42,891 )
                 
Change in assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable     (78,572,438 )     (34,582,490 )
Inventory     -       (159,240 )
Licensed content     -       759,698  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     (3,332,696 )     3,646,384  
Accounts payable     6,560,434       29,792,542  
Amount due to related parties     71,939,834       -  
Accrued expenses, salary and other current liabilities     1,530,544       (867,504 )
Deferred revenue     366,474       (1,139,357 )
Net cash used in operating activities     (17,641,902 )     (6,187,745 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                
Acquisition of property and equipment     (167,891 )     (46,260 )
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment     -       2,450,044  
Disposal of subsidiaries, net of cash disposed     -       (8,751 )
Cash paid for the acquisition of subsidiaries     (2,840,219 )     (26,857 )
Investment in long term investments     (2,035,190 )     (250,000 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (5,043,300 )     2,118,176  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities                
Proceeds from convertible note     12,000,000       -  
Repayment of amounts due to related parties     -       (682,364 )
Proceeds from issuance of warrant and shares     19,186,771       2,607,974  
Net cash provided by financing activities     31,186,771       1,925,610  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (48,638 )     62,078  
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash     8,452,931       (2,081,881 )
                 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period     7,577,317       3,761,814  
                 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period   $ 16,030,248     $ 1,679,933  
                 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

               
Cash paid for income tax   $ -     $ -  
Cash paid for interest   $ -     $ -  
                 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:                
Exchange of Series E Preferred Stock for common stock   $ -     $ 7,155  

 

* The above consolidated statements of cash flows present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  7  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities

UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

   

Series E

Preferred

Stock

   

Series E

Par

Value

   

Common

Stock

   

Par

Value

   

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

Accumulated

Deficit

   

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

   

Shareholders'

Equity

   

Non-

controlling

Interest

   

Total

Equity

 
Balance, January 1, 2017 (As adjusted*)     7,154,997     $ 7,155       53,918,523     $ 53,918     $ 152,792,855     $ (115,829,451 )   $ (1,371,498 )   $ 35,652,979     $ (5,325,481 )   $ 30,327,498  
Share-based compensation     -       -       -       -       202,501       -       -       202,501       -       202,501  
Common stock issuance     -       -       727,273       727       1,999,273       -       -       2,000,000       -       2,000,000  
Common stock issuance for RSU vested     -       -       111,465       111       (111 )     -       -       -       -       -  
Common stock issuance for option exercised     -       -       41,131       41       39,862       -       -       39,903       -       39,903  
Common stock issued for warrant exercised     -       -       311,105       311       681,916       -       -       682,227       -       682,227  
Common stock issued from conversion of series E preferred stock     (7,154,997 )     (7,155 )     7,154,997       7,155       -       -       -       -       -       -  
Disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun     -       -       -       -       (9,887,398 )     (360,521 )     (220,737 )     (10,468,656 )     3,947,473       (6,521,183 )
Acquisition of Guang Ming                                     78,630                       78,630               78,630  
Net loss     -       -       -       -       -       (4,698,563 )     -       (4,698,563 )     (608,910 )     (5,307,473 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of nil tax     -       -       -       -       -       -       787,372       787,372       (27,009 )     760,363  
Balance, September 30, 2017 (As adjusted*)     -     $ -       62,264,494     $ 62,263     $ 145,907,528     $ (120,888,535 )   $ (804,863 )   $ 24,276,393     $ (2,013,927 )   $ 22,262,466  

 

* The above consolidated statements of equity present Guang Ming, acquired from Tianjin and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd. on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  8  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 

 

    Common
Stock
    Par
Value
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Shareholders'
Equity
    Non-
controlling
Interest
    Total
Equity
 

Balance, January 1, 2018 (As adjusted*)

    68,509,090     $ 68,509     $ 158,449,544     $ (126,693,022 )   $ (782,074 )   $ 31,042,957     $ (1,289,367 )   $ 29,753,590  
Share-based compensation                     3,372,447                       3,372,447               3,372,447  
Investment from GTD and SSS                     11,188,502                       11,188,502               11,188,502  
Common stock issuance for RSU vested     1,240,707       1,241       (1,241 )                     -               -  
Common stock issuance for option exercised     82,797       82       2,550                       2,632               2,632  
Common stock issued for warrant exercised     643,714       644       1,125,856                       1,126,500               1,126,500  
Common stock issuance for acquisition of BDCG     3,000,000       3,000       7,797,000                       7,800,000       -       7,800,000  
Common stock issuance for Star Thrive Group Limited     3,770,493       3,770       6,869,138                       6,872,908               6,872,908  
Conversion feature of convertible note                     1,384,614                       1,384,614               1,384,614  
Acquisition of Grapevine                                                     1,154,419       1,154,419  
Net loss                             (19,228,240 )             (19,228,240 )     (637,314 )     (19,865,554 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments                                     542,299       542,299       23,016       565,315  

Balance,  September 30, 2018

    77,246,801     $ 77,246     $ 190,188,410     $ (145,921,262 )   $ (239,775 )   $ 44,104,619     $ (749,246 )   $ 43,355,373  

 

 

* The above consolidated statements of equity present Guang Ming, acquired from and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd, on April 4, 2018, as if it had been owned by the Company since November 10, 2016 in accordance with ASC Subtopic 805-50 (See Note 4 “Acquisition”).

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

  9  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization and Principal Activities

 

Ideanomics, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDEX), formerly known as Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., is a Nevada corporation that primarily operates in China (“PRC”) through its subsidiaries and consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The Company, its subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs are collectively referred to as Ideanomics (“Ideanomics”, “we”, “us”, or “the Company”).

 

In the Company’s video on demand (“VOD”) business, the Company provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programing to digital cable providers, Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) providers, over-the-top (“OTT”) streaming providers, mobile manufacturers and operators, as well as direct customers. The Company historically has offered these products under the business name “YOU On Demand” and refers to these operations as the legacy YOD business.

 

Starting in early 2017, while continuing to support the legacy YOD business, Ideanomics began transitioning its business model to become a next generation financial technology (“fintech”) company through several acquisitions and the establishment of joint ventures, with the intention of offering financing solutions and logistics solutions, each based on the emergence of systems that utilize blockchain and artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. On the financing solutions side, the Company has been building capabilities both in providing business consulting services related to traditional financings, as well as in developing digital asset securitization services via AI and blockchain enabled platforms. On the logistics side, the Company has been building expertise in the traditional commodities trading business, with an initial focus on crude oil trading and consumer electronics trading, with the goal of leveraging such expertise to inform the development of an AI and blockchain enabled logistics platform.

 

The Company refers to its YOD business as the Legacy YOD segment, and to all our other operations as the Wecast Service segment. Aside from the Legacy YOD segment, only the commodities trading component of the Company’s logistics business is operational and revenue generating.

 

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “SVG Purchase Agreement”) with BT Capital Global Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“BT”) and an affiliate of the Company’s Chairman, Bruno Wu, for the purchase by the Company of all of the outstanding capital stock of Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited, a Hong Kong company (“Wecast Services”). On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Wide Angle SPA”) with BT and Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited (“SSMGL”), a Hong Kong company and one of the Company’s largest shareholders, controlled by Mr. Wu, as guarantor, for the purchase by us of 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle Group Limited (“Wide Angle”). Details of these two acquisitions are in Note 4. By acquiring these two entities, the Company became engaged in consumer electronics and smart supply chain management operations.

 

In 2017, the Company entered into another Securities Purchase Agreement (the “BT SPA”) with BT, pursuant to which the issued and outstanding stock that the Company holds in one loss-generating non-core asset, was sold to BT for zero. The details of this transaction have been disclosed in Note 11.

 

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position as of September 30, 2018, results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, have been made. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated on consolidation.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2018 (“2017 Annual Report”).

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the following Accounting Standards Updates (ASU): ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606); ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10) and ASU 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash ASU 2018-02. ASU 2014-09 has no financial impact to our unaudited financial statement, and impact by ASU 2016-01 and ASU 2016-18 has been reflected in our unaudited consolidated statements of cash flow and Note 8 to this unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

  10  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Going Concern and Management’s Plans

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the Company incurred loss from operations of approximately $19.1 million and $5.0 million, respectively, and incurred net loss of $19.9 million and $5.3 million, respectively, and cash used in operations was approximately $17.6 million and $6.2 million, respectively. Further, the Company had accumulated deficit of approximately $145.9 million and $126.7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, due to recurring losses since the inception of its business.

 

The Company must continue to rely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to pay for ongoing operating expenses in order to execute its business plan. In May, 2017, the Company completed a common stock financing for $2.0 million with certain investors, officers & directors and affiliates in a private placement. In October 2017, the Company completed a common stock financing with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $10 million. In June 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited for $3.0 million, and the Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018 (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company completed a common stock financing from GT Dollar Pte. Ltd for $10.0 million (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase & Option Agreement with Star Thrive Group Limited for $23.0 million and the Company has received $6.9 million as of September 30, 2018 (See Note 9). In July 2018, the Company completed a convertible note financing with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited for $12.0 million(See Note 9).

 

Although the Company may attempt to raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, the Company may be required to scale back or to discontinue certain operations, scale back or discontinue the development of new business lines, reduce headcount, sell assets, file for bankruptcy, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations.

 

These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. If the Company is in fact unable to continue as a going concern, the shareholders may lose their entire investment in the Company.

 

3. VIE Structure and Arrangements

 

a) Sinotop VIE structure and arrangement

 

To comply with PRC laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provides value-added telecommunication services, the Company provides its services through Sinotop Beijing. The Company has the ability to control Sinotop Beijing through a series of contractual agreements entered into among YOD WOFE, YOD Hong Kong, Sinotop Beijing and the legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing.

 

Prior to January 2016, the Company entered into a series of contractual agreements to give it the ability to control Sinotop Beijing with Zhang Yan, the former legal shareholder of Sinotop Beijing (the spouse of its then-CEO). In January 2016, in connection with the appointment of a new CEO and in accordance with its rights under the contractual agreements, (1) the legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing was transferred from Zhang Yan to Bing Wu, the brother of its current Chairman and Yun Zhu, the former Vice President of Beijing Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Limited (“SSS”), (2) the Company terminated the series of contractual arrangements with Zhang Yan, and (3) the Company entered into new contractual agreements with Bing Wu and Yun Zhu (collectively, the “Former Sinotop VIE Agreements”). In October 2016, in accordance with its rights under contractual agreements, (1) the legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing was transferred from Bing Wu to Mei Chen, the former CFO of the Company, (2) the Company terminated the series of contractual arrangements with Bing Wu, and (3) the Company entered into new contractual agreements with Mei Chen (collectively, the “New Sinotop VIE Agreements”). Although the Former Sinotop VIE Agreements and New Sinotop VIE Agreements resulted in changes to the legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing, there was no change in the Company’s ability to control Sinotop Beijing or the Company’s rights to 100% of the economic benefits of Sinotop Beijing. The Company was the primary beneficiary of Sinotop Beijing prior to the signing of the Former Sinotop VIE Agreements and New Sinotop VIE Agreements and the Company remained the primary beneficiary of Sinotop Beijing after the signing of the former Sinotop VIE Agreements and the New Sinotop VIE Agreements. Accordingly, the change in legal ownership of Sinotop Beijing did not have any impact to the Company’s consolidation of Sinotop Beijing. The key terms of the New Sinotop VIE Agreements are summarized as follows:

 

Equity Pledge Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement among YOD WOFE, Sinotop Beijing, Mei Chen and Yun Zhu (collectively, the “Nominee Shareholders”), the Nominee Shareholders pledged all of their equity interests in Sinotop Beijing (the “Collateral”) to YOD WOFE as security for the performance of the obligations of Sinotop Beijing to make all the required technical service fee payments pursuant to the Technical Services Agreement and for performance of the Nominee Shareholders’ obligation under the Call Option Agreement. The terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement expire upon satisfaction of all obligations under the Technical Services Agreement and Call Option Agreement.

 

  11  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Call Option Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Call Option Agreement among YOD WOFE, Sinotop Beijing and the Nominee Shareholders, the Nominee Shareholders granted an exclusive option to YOD WOFE, or its designee, to purchase, at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or any portion of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity in Sinotop Beijing. The exercise price of the option shall be determined by YOD WOFE at its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions imposed by PRC law. The term of the agreement is until all of the equity interest in Sinotop Beijing held by the Nominee Shareholders are transferred to YOD WOFE, or its designee and may not be terminated by any part to the agreement without consent of the other parties.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Pursuant to the Power of Attorney agreements among YOD WOFE, Sinotop Beijing and each of the respective Nominee Shareholders, each of the Nominee Shareholders granted YOD WOFE the irrevocable right, for the maximum period permitted by law, all of its voting rights as shareholders of Sinotop Beijing. The Nominee Shareholders may not transfer any of its equity interest in Sinotop Beijing to any party other than YOD WOFE. The Power of Attorney agreements may not be terminated except until all of the equity in Sinotop Beijing has been transferred to YOD WOFE or its designee.

 

Technical Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Technical Service Agreement between YOD WOFE and Sinotop Beijing, YOD WOFE has the exclusive right to provide technical service, marketing and management consulting service, financial support service and human resource support services to Sinotop Beijing, and Sinotop Beijing is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD WOFE. As compensation for providing the services, YOD WOFE is entitled to receive service fees from Sinotop Beijing equivalent to YOD WOFE’s cost plus 30% of such costs as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC. YOD WOFE and Sinotop Beijing agree to periodically review the service fee and make adjustments as deemed appropriate. The term of the Technical Services Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon written consent of both parties.

 

Spousal Consent

 

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, undersigned by the respective spouse of Nominee Shareholders (collectively, the “Spouses”), the Spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed to the execution of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses agreed to not make any assertions in connection with the equity interest of Sinotop Beijing and to waived consent on further amendment or termination of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses further pledge to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure appropriate performance under these agreements upon YOD WOFE’s request. In the event the Spouses obtain any equity interests of Sinotop Beijing which are held by the Nominee Shareholders, the Spouses agreed to be bound by the New Sinotop VIE Agreements, including the Technical Services Agreement, and comply with the obligations thereunder, including sign a series of written documents in substantially the same format and content as the New Sinotop VIE Agreements.

 

Letter of Indemnification

 

Pursuant to the Letter of Indemnification among YOD WOFE and Mei Chen and YOD WOFE and Yun Zhu, YOD WOFE agreed to indemnify Nominee Shareholders against any personal, tax or other liabilities incurred in connection with their role in equity transfer to the greatest extent permitted under PRC law. YOD WOFE further waived and released Nominee Shareholders from any claims arising from, or related to, their role as the legal shareholder of Sinotop Beijing, provided that their actions as a nominee shareholder are taken in good faith and are not opposed to YOD WOFE’s best interests. Conversely, the Nominee Shareholders will not be entitled to dividends or other benefits generated therefrom, or receive any compensation in connection with this arrangement. The Letter of Indemnification will remain valid until either Nominee Shareholders or YOD WOFE terminates the agreement by giving the other party hereto 60 days’ prior written notice.

 

In addition to the New Sinotop VIE Agreements, the Management Service Agreement between Sinotop Beijing and YOD Hong Kong continued to remain in effect, the key terms of which are as follows:

 

  12  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Management Services Agreement

 

Pursuant to a Management Services Agreement, as of March 9, 2010, YOD Hong Kong has the exclusive right to provide to Sinotop Beijing management, financial and other services related to the operation of Sinotop Beijing’s business, and Sinotop Beijing is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD Hong Kong. As compensation for providing the services, YOD Hong Kong is entitled to receive a fee from Sinotop Beijing, upon demand, equal to 100% of the annual net profits as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC of Sinotop Beijing during the term of the Management Services Agreement. YOD Hong Kong may also request ad hoc quarterly payments of the aggregate fee, which payments will be credited against Sinotop Beijing’s future payment obligations.

 

The Management Services Agreement also provides YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, with a right of first refusal to acquire all or any portion of the equity of Sinotop Beijing upon any proposal by the sole shareholder of Sinotop Beijing to transfer such equity. In addition, at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, Sinotop Beijing is obligated to transfer to YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, any part or all of the business, personnel, assets and operations of Sinotop Beijing which may be lawfully conducted, employed, owned or operated by YOD Hong Kong, including:

 

(a) business opportunities presented to, or available to Sinotop Beijing may be pursued and contracted for in the name of YOD Hong Kong rather than Sinotop Beijing, and at its discretion, YOD Hong Kong may employ the resources of Sinotop Beijing to secure such opportunities;

 

(b) any tangible or intangible property of Sinotop Beijing, any contractual rights, any personnel, and any other items or things of value held by Sinotop Beijing may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong at book value;

 

(c) real property, personal or intangible property, personnel, services, equipment, supplies and any other items useful for the conduct of the business may be obtained by YOD Hong Kong by acquisition, lease, license or otherwise, and made available to Sinotop Beijing on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and Sinotop Beijing;

 

(d) contracts entered into in the name of Sinotop Beijing may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong, or the work under such contracts may be subcontracted, in whole or in part, to YOD Hong Kong, on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and Sinotop Beijing; and

 

(e) any changes to, or any expansion or contraction of, the business may be carried out at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, and in the name of and at the expense of, YOD Hong Kong; provided, however, that none of the foregoing may cause or have the effect of terminating (without being substantially replaced under the name of YOD Hong Kong) or adversely affecting any license, permit or regulatory status of Sinotop Beijing.

 

The term of the Management Services Agreement is 20 years, and may not be terminated by Sinotop Beijing, except with the consent of, or a material breach by, YOD Hong Kong.

 

Pursuant to the above contractual agreements, YOD WOFE can have the assets transferred freely out of Sinotop Beijing without any restrictions. Therefore, YOD WOFE considers that there is no asset of Sinotop Beijing that can be used only to settle obligations of Sinotop Beijing, except for the registered capital of the entity amounting to RMB10.6 million (approximately $1.6 million) as of September 30, 2018. As Sinotop Beijing is incorporated as limited liability company under PRC Company Law, creditors of this entity do not have recourse to the general credit of other entities of the Company.

 

b) Tianjin Sevenstarflix Network Technology Limited (“SSF”) VIE structure and arrangements

 

To comply with PRC laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict foreign ownership of companies that provides value-added telecommunication services, the Company plans to also provide its services through SSF, which is applying to hold the licenses and approvals to provide digital distribution and Internet content services in the PRC. The Company has the ability to control SSF through a series of contractual agreements, as described below, entered into among YOD WOFE, YOD Hong Kong, SSF and the legal shareholders of SSF.

 

On April 5, 2016, YOD WOFE entered into variable interest entity agreements with SSF and its nominee shareholders pursuant to the Amended Tianjin Agreement dated December 21, 2015 (see Note 12(c)) (the “SSF VIE Agreements”). Lan Yang, holder of 99% equity ownership in SSF and a party to certain of the SSF VIE Agreements, is the spouse of Bruno Zheng Wu, the Company’s Chairman. Yun Zhu, holder of 1% equity ownership in SSF and a party to certain of the SSF VIE Agreements, is the Vice President of SSS.

 

  13  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The terms of the SSF VIE Agreements are as follows:

 

Equity Pledge Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Equity Pledge Agreement among YOD WOFE, Lan Yang and Yun Zhu (the “Nominee Shareholders”), dated April 5, 2016, the Nominee Shareholders pledged all of their capital contribution rights in SSF to YOD WOFE as security for the performance of the obligations of SSF to make all the required technical service fee payments pursuant to the Technical Services Agreement and for performance of the Nominee Shareholders’ obligation under the Call Option Agreement. The terms of the Equity Pledge Agreement expire upon satisfaction of all obligations under the Technical Services Agreement and Call Option Agreement.

 

Call Option Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Call Option Agreement among YOD WOFE, SSF and the Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, the Nominee Shareholders granted an exclusive option to YOD WOFE, or its designee, to purchase, at any time and from time to time, to the extent permitted under PRC law, all or any portion of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity in SSF. The exercise price of the option shall be determined by YOD WOFE at its sole discretion, subject to any restrictions imposed by PRC law. The term of the agreement is until all of the equity interest in SSF held by the Nominee Shareholders is transferred to YOD WOFE, or its designee and may not be terminated by any party to the agreement without consent of the other parties.

 

Power of Attorney

 

Pursuant to the Power of Attorney agreements among YOD WOFE, SSF and each of the respective Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, each of the Nominee Shareholders granted YOD WOFE the irrevocable right, for the maximum period permitted by law, to all of its voting rights as shareholders of SSF. The Nominee Shareholders may not transfer any of their equity interest in SSF to any party other than YOD WOFE. The Power of Attorney agreements may not be terminated except until all of the equity in SSF has been transferred to YOD WOFE or its designee.

 

Technical Service Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Technical Service Agreement, dated April 5, 2016, between YOD WOFE and SSF, YOD WOFE has the exclusive right to provide technical service, marketing and management consulting service, financial support service and human resource support services to SSF, and SSF is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD WOFE. As compensation for providing the services, YOD WOFE is entitled to receive service fees from SSF equivalent to YOD WOFE’s cost plus 20-30% of such costs as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC. YOD WOFE and SSF agree to periodically review the service fee and make adjustments as deemed appropriate. The term of the Technical Services Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon written consent of both parties.

 

Spousal Consent

 

Pursuant to the Spousal Consent, dated April 5, 2016, undersigned by the respective spouse of the Nominee Shareholders (collectively, the “Spouses”), the Spouses unconditionally and irrevocably agreed to the execution of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses agreed to not make any assertions in connection with the equity interest of SSF and to waive consent on further amendment or termination of the Equity Pledge Agreement, Call Option Agreement and Power of Attorney agreement. The Spouses further pledge to execute all necessary documents and take all necessary actions to ensure appropriate performance under these agreements upon YOD WOFE’s request. In the event the Spouses obtain any equity interests of SSF which are held by the Nominee Shareholders, the Spouses agreed to be bound by the SSF VIE Agreements, including the Technical Services Agreement, and comply with the obligations thereunder, including sign a series of written documents in substantially the same format and content as the SSF VIE Agreements.

 

Letter of Indemnification

 

Pursuant to the Letter of Indemnification among YOD WOFE and Lan Yang and YOD WOFE and Yun Zhu, both dated as of April 5, 2016, YOD WOFE agreed to indemnify Nominee Shareholders against any personal, tax or other liabilities incurred in connection with their role in equity transfer to the greatest extent permitted under PRC law. YOD WOFE further waived and released the Nominee Shareholders from any claims arising from, or related to, their role as the legal shareholder of SSF, provided that their actions as a nominee shareholder are taken in good faith and are not opposed to YOD WOFE’s best interests. The Nominee Shareholders will not be entitled to dividends or other benefits generated therefrom, or receive any compensation in connection with this arrangement. The Letter of Indemnification will remain valid until either the Nominee Shareholders or YOD WOFE terminates the agreement by giving the other party hereto 60 days’ prior written notice.

 

  14  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Loan Agreement

 

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement among YOD WOFE and the Nominee Shareholders, dated April 5, 2016, YOD WOFE agrees to lend RMB 19.8 million and RMB0.2 million, respectively, to the Nominee Shareholders for the purpose of establishing SSF and for development of its business. As of September 30, 2018, RMB27.6 million ($4.2 million) and RMB nil have been lent to Lan Yang and Yun Zhu, respectively. Lan Yang has contributed all of the RMB27.6 million ($4.2 million) in the form of capital contribution. The loan can only be repaid by a transfer by the Nominee Shareholders of their equity interests in SSF to YOD WOFE or YOD WOFE’s designated persons, through (i) YOD WOFE having the right, but not the obligation to at any time purchase, or authorize a designated person to purchase, all or part of the Nominee Shareholders’ equity interests in SSF at such price as YOD WOFE shall determine (the “Transfer Price”), (ii) all monies received by the Nominee Shareholders through the payment of the Transfer Price being used solely to repay YOD WOFE for the loans, and (iii) if the Transfer Price exceeds the principal amount of the loans, the amount in excess of the principal amount of the loans being deemed as interest payable on the loans, and to be payable to YOD WOFE in cash. Otherwise, the loans shall be deemed to be interest-free. The term of the Loan Agreement is perpetual, and may only be terminated upon the Nominee Shareholders receiving repayment notice, or upon the occurrence of an event of default under the terms of the agreement. The loan extended to the Nominee Shareholders and the capital of SSF are fully eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Management Services Agreement

 

In addition to the SSF VIE Agreements, the Company’s subsidiary and the parent company of YOD WOFE, YOU On Demand (Asia) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong (“YOD Hong Kong”) entered into a Management Services Agreement with SSF, dated as of April 6, 2016 (the “Management Services Agreement”). Pursuant to a Management Services Agreement, YOD Hong Kong has the exclusive right to provide to SSF management, financial and other services related to the operation of SSF’s business, and SSF is required to take all commercially reasonable efforts to permit and facilitate the provision of the services by YOD Hong Kong. As compensation for providing the services, YOD Hong Kong is entitled to receive a fee from SSF, upon demand, equal to 100% of the annual net profits as calculated on accounting policies generally accepted in the PRC of SSF during the term of the Management Services Agreement. YOD Hong Kong may also request ad hoc quarterly payments of the aggregate fee, which payments will be credited against SSF’s future payment obligations.

 

In addition, at the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, SSF is obligated to transfer to YOD Hong Kong, or its designee, any part or all of the business, personnel, assets and operations of SSF which may be lawfully conducted, employed, owned or operated by YOD Hong Kong, including:

 

(a)        business opportunities presented to, or available to SSF may be pursued and contracted for in the name of YOD Hong Kong rather than SSF, and at its discretion, YOD Hong Kong may employ the resources of SSF to secure such opportunities;

 

(b)        any tangible or intangible property of SSF, any contractual rights, any personnel, and any other items or things of value held by SSF may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong at book value;

 

(c)        real property, personal or intangible property, personnel, services, equipment, supplies and any other items useful for the conduct of the business may be obtained by YOD Hong Kong by acquisition, lease, license or otherwise, and made available to SSF on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and SSF;

 

(d)        contracts entered into in the name of SSF may be transferred to YOD Hong Kong, or the work under such contracts may be subcontracted, in whole or in part, to YOD Hong Kong, on terms to be determined by agreement between YOD Hong Kong and SSF; and

(e)        any changes to, or any expansion or contraction of, the business may be carried out in the exercise of the sole discretion of YOD Hong Kong, and in the name of and at the expense of, YOD Hong Kong;

 

provided, however, that none of the foregoing may cause or have the effect of terminating (without being substantially replaced under the name of YOD Hong Kong) or adversely affecting any license, permit or regulatory status of SSF.

 

  15  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The term of the Management Services Agreement is 20 years, and may not be terminated by SSF, except with the consent of, or a material breach by, YOD Hong Kong.

 

Pursuant to the above contractual agreements, YOD WOFE can have the assets transferred freely out of SSF without any restrictions. Therefore, YOD WOFE considers that there is no asset of SSF that can be used only to settle obligation of YOD WOFE, except for the registered capital of SSF amounting to RMB50.0 million (approximately $7.5 million), among which RMB27.6 million (approximately $4.2 million) has been injected as of September 30, 2018. As SSF is incorporated as limited liability company under PRC Company Law, creditors of this entity do not have recourse to the general credit of other entities of the Company.

 

Financial Information

 

The following financial information of our VIEs, as applicable for the periods presented, affected the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
Cash   $ 1,495       3,898  
Prepaid expenses     1,635       3,604  
Other current assets     1,456       1,537  
Intercompany receivables due from the Company's subsidiaries (i)     2,363,133       2,494,505  
Total current assets     2,367,719       2,503,544  
Long term investments     3,677,927       3,719,467  
Total assets   $ 6,045,646       6,223,011  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Current liabilities:                
Other current liabilities   $ 39       41  
Intercompany payables due to the Company's subsidiaries (i)     3,419,561       3,601,454  
Total current liabilities     3,419,600       3,601,495  
Total liabilities   $ 3,419,600       3,601,495  

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017  
Revenue   $ -       794,273  
Net income (loss)   $ (46,508 )     (4,293,469 )

 

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (2,403 )     (1,661,531 )
Net cash used in investing activities   $ -       (43,047 )
Net cash provided by financing activities (i)   $ -       189,515  

 

(i) Intercompany receivables and payables are eliminated upon consolidation. The intercompany financing activities include the capital injection of $0.2 million to Sinotop Beijing in the nine months period ended September 30, 2017.

 

The decrease in revenue, net income and net cash used in operating activities was mainly due to disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media in 2017.

 

  16  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4. Acquisition

 

(i) Acquisition of SVG and Wide Angle

 

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Sun Video SPA”) with BT Capital Global Limited, a British Virgin Islands company (“BT”) which is controlled by Company’s Chairman Bruno Wu, for the purchase by SSC of all of the outstanding capital stock of Sun Video Group Hong Kong Limited, a Hong Kong corporation (“SVG”), for an aggregate purchase price of $800,000 and a $50 million Promissory Note (the “SVG Note”) with the principal and interest thereon convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion rate of $1.50 per share. BT has guaranteed that SVG will achieve certain financial goals within 12 months of the closing. Until receipt of necessary shareholder approvals, the SVG Note is not convertible into shares of our common stock, but once the necessary shareholder approval is received, the unpaid principal and interest thereon will automatically convert. Under the terms of the Sun Video SPA, BT has guaranteed that the business of SVG and its subsidiaries (the “Sun Video Business”) shall achieve revenue of $250 million and $15 million of gross profit (collectively the “Performance Guarantees”) within 12 months of the closing. If the Sun Video Business fails to meet either of the Performance Guarantees within such time, BT shall forfeit back to the Company the shares of the Company’s common stock or the SVG Note, on a pro rata basis based on the Performance Guarantee for which the Sun Video Business achieves the lowest percentage of the respective amount guaranteed.

 

In addition, if the Sun Video Business achieves more than $50 million in cumulative net income within 3 years of closing, (the “Net Income Threshold”), the Company shall pay BT 50% of the amount of any cumulative net income above the Net Income Threshold. Profit share payments shall be made on an annual basis, in either cash or stock at the discretion of our Board of Directors. If the Board decides to make the payment in stock, the number of our shares of common stock to be awarded shall be calculated based on the market price of such shares.

 

After the acquisition SVG, the Company changed its name to Wecast Services Group Limited, and is therefore also referred to herein as Wecast Services.

 

On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Wide Angle SPA”) with BT and Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSSMGL”), one of the Company’s largest shareholders, controlled by our Chairman Bruno Wu, as guarantor, for the purchase by the Company of 55% of the outstanding capital stock of Wide Angle for the sole consideration of the Company adding Wide Angle to the Sun Video Business acquired by the Company under the SVG Purchase Agreement and thereby including 100% of the revenue and gross profit from Wide Angle in the calculation of the SVG Performance Guarantees set forth in the Sun Video SPA considering the Company has consolidated Wide Angle.

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company recorded the $24.3 million SVG Note as additional paid in capital, as the Company believes that the Performance Guarantees can be met within 12 months of the closing. Considering the proceeds transferred were larger than carrying amounts of the net assets received, such $24.3 million was then recognized as a reduction to the Company’s additional paid in capital. The Company has not begun accruing any reserves relating to potential Net Income Threshold earnout payments, since the Sun Video Business is currently not close to exceeding this threshold.

 

(ii) Acquisition of BBD Digital Capital Group Ltd.

 

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “BDCG Purchase Agreement”) with Tiger Sports Media Limited, a Hong Kong limited liability company (“Tiger”) pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase Tiger’s 20% equity ownership in BBD Digital Capital Group Ltd. (“BDCG”), a New York corporation. The Company will purchase the 20% equity from Tiger for a total purchase price of $9.8 million (the “Transaction”), which consists of $2 million in cash and $7.8 million paid in the form of the Company’s capital stock (valued at $2.60 per share and equal to 3 million shares of the Company’s common stock). The valuation report was received post-signing of the BDCG Purchase Agreement with both parties agreeing that there is no obligation to close the Transaction until a satisfactory valuation report has been received, evaluated and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. On April 24, 2018, the Audit Committee approved the satisfactory valuation report provided by an independent third party and closed this transaction. The Company paid the $2 million in cash upon the execution of the BDCG Purchase Agreement and issued the 3 million shares of Company common stock upon the closing of the Transaction. According to the BDCG Joint Venture Agreement, Board actions shall only be valid with more than 2/3 of the directors’ approval. As the Company is only able to assign 3 directors of the 5 in the Board, it is concluded that the Company does not have control in BDCG and should use an equity method to record the investment in BDCG. After such acquisition, the Company owns 60% of BDCG. It will be consolidated once the Company changes BDCG’s article of incorporation (or that joint venture agreement), pursuant to GAAP.

 

(iii) Acquisition of Shanghai GuangMing

 

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “GuangMing Purchase Agreement”) with Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd, a PRC limited liability company (“Tianjin SSCD”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co., Ltd., a PRC limited liability company (“Beijing Nanbei”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase Tianjin SSCD’s 80% equity ownership in Shanghai GuangMing Investment Management (“Shanghai GuangMing”), a PRC limited liability company, and Beijing Nanbei’s 20% equity ownership in Shanghai GuangMing. SSC will purchase the 100% equity for a total purchase price of $0.36 million (the “Transaction”). The fairness opinion report, which is delivered by Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Limited, has been received, evaluated and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee in April, 2018.

 

  17  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

 

(iv) Acquisition of Grapevine

 

On July 18, 2018, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with GLI Acquisition Corp. (the “Merger”), a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Merger Sub”), and Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GLI”), and Mr. Grant Deken, as the representative of the holders of capital stock of GLI, pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire 65.65% share of GLI for an aggregate cash payment of $2.4 million to the holders of capital stock of GLI.

 

On September 4, 2018, the Company have completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT. The Company has preliminarily recorded $1.4 million of Goodwill, $2.9 million of Intangible Assets and $0.7 million of deferred tax liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The preliminary fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for our acquisitions were based upon preliminary calculations and our estimates and assumptions for each of these acquisitions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the respective measurement periods (up to one year from the respective acquisition dates).The Company has included the financial results of GLI in our consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

 

Fomalhaut Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company (“Fomalhaut”), was an equity holder of 34.35% in GLI (the “Fomalhaut Interest”) prior to the merger and remains so following the merger. Fomalhaut will not receive any part of the Purchase Price. Fomalhaut entered into a Stock Option Agreement, effective as of August 31, 2018 (the “Option Agreement”), with the Company pursuant to which the Company provided Fomalhaut with the option to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company. The aggregate sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is the fair market value of the Fomalhaut Interest as of the close of business on the date preceding the date upon which the right to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company is exercised by Fomalhaut. If the option is exercised, the sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is payable in a combination of 1/3 cash and 2/3 Company shares of common stock at the then market value. The exercise period for the Option Agreement terminates on August 31, 2021.

 

(v) Acquisition of Fintalk

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the Company in exchange for $1.0 million promissory note (the “Note”) and shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $6.0 million. The Company shall repay the Note in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per annum. The principal amount of the Note shall become due and payable in the event of a default pursuant to the Note. The transaction has not been completed as of September 30, 2018.

 

5. Accounts Receivable, Net

 

Accounts receivable consists of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Accounts receivable   $ 105,538,117       26,965,731  
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts     (3,594 )     (3,646 )
Accounts receivable, net   $ 105,534,523       26,962,085  

 

The movement of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

 

    September 30,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
Balance at the beginning of the period   $ (3,646 )     (2,828,796 )
Additions charged to bad debt expense     -       (145,512 )
Write-off of bad debt allowance     52       89,851  
Disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun     -       2,880,811  
Balance at the end of the period   $ (3,594 )     (3,646 )

 

  18  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6. Property and Equipment, Net

 

The following is a breakdown of the Company’s property and equipment:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
Furniture and office equipment   $ 312,829       308,383  
Vehicle     143,249       147,922  
Leasehold improvements     163,311       8,058  
Total property and equipment     619,389       464,363  
Less: accumulated depreciation     (361,336 )     (337,088 )
Property and Equipment, net   $ 258,053       127,275  

 

The Company recorded depreciation expense of approximately $14,820 and $32,941 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and $8,341 and $209,139 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

 

7. Intangible Assets

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s amortizing and indefinite lived intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

    September 30, 2018     December 31, 2017  
    Gross
Carrying
    Accumulated     Impairment     Net     Gross
Carrying
    Accumulated     Impairment     Net  
Amortizing Intangible Assets   Amount     Amortization     Loss     Balance     Amount     Amortization     Loss     Balance  
Charter/ Cooperation agreements     301,495       (32,303 )     -         269,192       -       -       -       -  
Intangible assets – Content (ii)     2,903,762       (241,980 )     -       2,661,782       -       -       -       -  
Software and licenses     238,163       (203,663 )     -       34,500       214,210       (199,626 )     -       14,584  
Patent and trademark (i)     92,965       (39,943 )     (53,022 )     -       92,965       (39,943 )     (53,022 )     -  
Total amortizing intangible assets   $ 3,536,385       (517,889 )     (53,022 )     2,965,474     $ 307,175     $ (239,569 )   $ (53,022 )   $ 14,584  
                                                                 
Indefinite lived intangible assets                                                                
Website name     159,505       -       -       159,505       134,290       -       -       134,290  
Patent (i)     10,599       -       (10,599 )     -       10,599       -       (10,599 )     -  
Total intangible assets   $ 3,706,489       (517,889 )     (63,621 )     3,124,979     $ 452,064     $ (239,569 )   $ (63,621 )   $ 148,874  

 

(i) During the second quarter of 2017, the Company determined that one of its subsidiaries in the US would not serve the core business or generate future cash flow. As no future cash flows will be generated from using the patents owned by this subsidiary, the Company estimated the fair value of those patents to be nil as of June 30, 2017. Fair value was determined using unobservable (Level 3) inputs. Impairment loss from patents of $63,621 was recognized in 2017 to write off the entire book value of the patents.

 

(ii) During the third quarter of 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT, and preliminarily recorded $1.4 million of Goodwill, $2.9 million of intangible assets and $0.7 million of deferred tax based on the estimated fair values (Note 4)

 

The following table outlines the amortization expense for the following years:

 

    Amortization to be  
Years ending December 31,   Recognized  
2018 (3 months)   $ 760,680  
2019     2,076,117  
2020     114,677  
2021 and thereafter     14,000  
Total amortization to be recognized   $ 2,965,474  

 

  19  

 

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

8. Long Term Investments

 

Equity investments without readily determinable fair values

 

Equity investments without readily determinable fair values as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are as follow:

 

    September 30,
2018
    December 31,
2017
 
Topsgame (i)   $ 3,365,969     $ 3,365,969  
Frequency (ii)     3,000,000       3,000,000  
DBOT (iii)     250,000       250,000  
Liberty (iv)     1,011,916       -  
Asia Times (v)     1,023,274       -  
Total   $ 8,651,159     $ 6,615,969  

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted the ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments — Overall (Subtopic 825-10). Under the new ASC, entities no longer use the cost method of accounting as it was applied before, but it can elect a measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and do not qualify for the practical expedient in ASC 820 to estimate fair value using the NAV per share. After management’s assessment of each of these three equity investments, management concluded that these three investments should be accounted for using measurement alternative. Under the alternative, the Company measures these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer, and the Company has to make a separate election to use the alternative for each eligible investment and has to apply the alternative consistently from period to period until the investment’s fair value becomes readily determinable. ASU further requires that the Company should use prospective method for all equity investments without readily determinable fair values.

 

(i) Investment in Topsgame

 

On April 13, 2016, SSF entered into a Game Right Assignment Agreement with SSS for the acquisition of certain game IP rights (“Game IP Rights”) for approximately $2.7 million (RMB18 million) in cash. On April 15, 2016, SSF entered into a Capital Increase Agreement with Nanjing Tops Game Co., Ltd. (“Topsgame”) and its shareholders whereby SSF transferred the Game IP Rights acquired from SSS to Topsgame in exchange for 13% of Topsgame’s equity ownership. Topsgame is a PRC company that specializes in the independent development and operation of online, stand-alone and other games as well as the distribution of domestic and overseas games. The Company’s 13% ownership interest does not provide the Company with the right to nor does the Company have representation on the board of directors of Topsgame.

 

The Company has recognized the cost of the investment in Topsgame, which is a private company with no readily determinable fair value, based on the acquisition cost of Game IP Rights of approximately $2.7 million and accounts for the investment by the cost method.

 

On September 14, 2016, SSF increased its investment in Topsgame by RMB3,900,000 (approximately $584,000) and maintained its 13% equity ownership of Topsgame. The investment continued to be accounted for as equity investments without readily determinable fair values.

 

The Company expects to sell its investment interest in Topgame and other owned IP and its investment interest in Frequency (discussed in Note 8 (ii)) to an independent third party with consideration greater than its net book value in 2018. The Company has signed a letter of intent with this third party and management believes it will close this transaction in 2018 on the basis of a valuation report provided by a qualified independent valuation firm. Accordingly, the Company did not make any impairment to either of these long-lived assets as of September 30, 2018.

 

(ii) Investment in Frequency

 

In April 2016, the Company and Frequency Networks Inc. (“Frequency”) entered into a Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement (the “SPA”) for the purchase of 8,566,271 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Frequency (the “Frequency Preferred Stock”) for a total purchase price of $3 million. The 8,566,271 Series A Preferred Stock represent 9% ownership and voting interest on an as converted basis and does not provide the Company with the right to nor does the Company have representation on the board of directors of Frequency.

 

  20  

 

  

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Frequency Preferred Stock is entitled to non-cumulative dividends at the rate of $0.02548 per share per annum, declared at the discretion of Frequency’s board of directors. The Frequency Preferred Stock is also convertible into shares of Frequency common stock at the Company’s election any time after issuance on a 1:1 basis, subject to certain adjustment. Each share of Frequency Preferred Stock also has a liquidation preference of $0.42467 per share, plus any declared but unpaid dividends.

 

The Company has recognized the cost of the investment in Frequency, which is a private company with no readily determinable fair value, at its cost of $3 million and accounts for the investment by the cost method.

 

There were no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of this investment.

 

(iii) Investment in DBOT

 

In August, 2017, the Company subscribed for a strategic investment of US$250,000 in the Delaware Board of Trade Holdings, Inc. (“DBOT”) to acquire 187,970 common shares. DBOT is a FINRA member firm, and filed an initial operations report on Form ATS to give notice of DBOT ATS’s operations. DBOT is powered through the blockchain technology from one of our strategic licensing partners. The Company accounts for the investment in DBOT as equity investments without readily determinable fair values, as the Company owns less than 4% of the common shares and the Company has no significant influence over DBOT.

 

On December 18, 2017, January 12, 2018 and February 28, 2018, the Company entered into three stock purchase agreements with certain existing DBOT shareholders to acquire their owned shares of common stock of DBOT in an aggregate amount of 3,543,546 shares. To acquire those shares, the Company agreed to issue the aggregate amount of 2,267,869 shares of the Company’s common stock. The transaction closed in October 2018. Together with shares acquired in 2017, the Company owns 28% of the common shares and will account for the investment using equity method starting from October 2018.

 

(iv) Investment in Liberty

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited (“Sun”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the then Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Sun and other persons for whom Sun acted as seller-representative:

 

an aggregate of 8,583,034 shares of common stock of Liberty Biopharma, an entity listed on the TSX venture exchange (“Liberty”), at fair market value, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value; and

 

an aggregate of 3,240,433 additional shares of Liberty, subject to the sellers receiving those shares from Liberty as award of performance shares if and when certain performance and vesting conditions set out in an agreement among Sun, Liberty and the sellers are achieved, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value. These Liberty shares represent 50% of performance based Liberty shares to which the sellers are entitled. In the event the performance criteria are not met, the Liberty performance shares will not be issued to the sellers and thus the purchase of these performance shares by the Company will not close.

 

The Company shares to be issued to the sellers in consideration for the Liberty shares are valued at fair market value on the date of each closing. As of September 30, 2018 this transaction was not completed, the Company had not received any shares from Liberty, nor had the Company issued any shares to the sellers.

 

On September 28, 2018, the Company signed the Subscription Agreement with Liberty to purchase 1,173,333 common shares for $2.0 million.  The Company paid $1.0 million of the purchase price as of September 30, 2018.  As of September 30, 2018, this subscription transaction has not yet closed and the Company has not received the shares from Liberty.

 

(v) Investment in Asia Times

 

On September 12 2018, the Company announced a 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) with Asia Times Holdings, to be named Asia Times Financial Limited. JV will be providing next generation financial information service by AI-enabled financial data analytics and end-to-end encrypted messaging system that will work alongside blockchain-based financial services. As part of the deal, the Company will take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings for $4.0 million cash investment and Asia Times Holdings agreed to contribute $1.0 million of the $4.0 investment to the JV. The Purchase Price is payable in 4 tranches of $1,000,000 payable on September 21, 2018, October 15, 2018, November 15, 2018 and December 15, 2018, respectively. The Company paid the first $1.0 million payment prior to September 30, 2018. No shares from Asia Times have been issued as of September 30, 2018.

 

  21  

 

  

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Equity method investments

 

Equity method investment movement for the nine months ended on September 30, 2018 is as follow:

 

        September 30, 2018  
        December 31,
2017
    Addition     Loss on
 investment
    Foreign currency
translation adjustments
    September 30,
2018
 
Wecast Internet   (i)     6,044       -       (1,652 )     1       4,393  
Hua Cheng   (ii)     353,498       -       (42,664 )     1,124       311,958  
Shandong Media   (iii)     -       -       -       -       -  
BDCG   (iv)     -       9,800,000       -       -       9,800,000  
Total       $ 359,542       9,800,000       (44,316 )     1,125       10,116,351  

 

(i) Investment in Wecast Internet

 

In October 2016, the Company’s subsidiary, YOU On Demand (Asia) Ltd., invested RMB1,000,000 (approximately $149,750) in Wecast Internet Limited (“Wecast Internet”) and held its 50% equity ownership. In 2017, Wecast Internet closed its 100% owned subsidiary and the Company received $35,612 from its previous capital investment, and expects to receive the remaining investment from Wecast Internet in 2018.

 

(ii) Investment in Hua Cheng

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held 39% equity ownership in Hua Cheng, and accounted for the investment by the equity method.

 

(iii) Investment in Shandong Media

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held 30% equity ownership in Shandong Media, and accounts for the investment by the equity method. The investment was fully impaired as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

 

(iv) Investment in BDCG

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company held 60% and 20% equity ownership in BDCG respectively, and accounts for the investment by the equity method, as indicated in Note 4.

 

9. Stockholders’ Equity

 

On May 19, 2017, the Company entered into a subscription agreement with certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates of the Company, pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to such investors, in a private placement, an aggregate of 727,273 shares of the common stock of the Company, for $2.75 per share, or a total purchase price of $2.0 million. Investors in the private placement included Lan Yang, the wife of the Company’s Chairman Bruno Wu, and China Telenet Ventures Limited, an entity owned and controlled by Sean Wang, a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. As of July 18, 2017, all subscription amounts have been received by the Company.

 

On October 23, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Company has agreed to sell and issue 5,494,505 shares of the Company’s common stock to the Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $1.82 per share, or a total purchase price of $10.0 million.

 

On March 17, 2018, the Company entered into a subscription agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with GT Dollar Ptd. Ltd. (“GTD”) for a private placement (“GT Financing”) in the total amount of $40.0 million, which consists of issuance of new shares in the amount of $25.1 million and issuance of two promissory notes in the amount of $ 10.0 million and $4.9 million, respectively. The Subscription Agreement was subsequently amended and restated (the “Amended Agreement”) on June 28, 2018 to reduce the amount of such investment to $10.0 million and to terminate the two promissory notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company will issue and sell to GTD, an aggregate of 5,494,506 shares of the common stock of the Company, for $1.82 per share, or a total purchase price of $10.0 million. The Company has received $5.3 million in the second quarter of 2018 and the remaining $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2018. The shares have been issued on October 3, 2018.

 

On June 21, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“SSSIG”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSSIG purchased $3 million of Common Stock at the then market price. The Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018 and the remaining $1.9 million on November 9, 2018. No shares have been issued as of as of September 30, 2018.

 

  22  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

On July 24, 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase & Option Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with Star Thrive Group Limited (“Star”), a British Virgin Islands corporation, pursuant to which Star will purchase 12,568,306 shares of the Company’s common stock, for $23.0 million (the “Investment”). The Investment will be made over 6 separate monthly closings between now and December 31, 2018. The Company also granted to Star a share purchase option (the “Call Option”) pursuant to which the Purchaser may, within 24 months after July 24, 2018, purchase from the Company such number of shares of common stock that would bring Star’s total ownership of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares up to 19.5% on a fully diluted basis, at a price equal to 95% of the weighted average trading price of the common stock within 3 months prior to the exercise date of the Call Option. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has received $6.9 million and 3,770,493 shares have been issued. The fair value of the call option is $8.0 million using the Black-Sholes valuation model using the following assumptions: expected terms 1.81 years; volatility 132.55%; dividend yield: zero and risk free interest rate 2.81%.

 

10. Convertible Note

 

On June 28, 2018, the Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) and a Convertible Bond (the “Bond”) with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited, an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“Advantech”), pursuant to which Advantech invested $12 million. Such investment is convertible into common stock, at a conversion price of $1.82. The Bond matures on June 28, 2021 and accrues at an 8% interest rate. the Company records $1.4 million of beneficial conversion feature (“BCF”) in the additional paid in capital. The BCF for the Bond is recognized and measured by allocating a portion of the proceeds equal to the intrinsic value of that feature to additional paid-in capital. The intrinsic value is generally calculated at the commitment date as the difference between the conversion price and the fair value of the common stock or other securities into which the security is convertible, multiplied by the number of shares into which the security is convertible. As of September 30, 2018, the carrying amount of the Bond net of the discount related to the beneficial conversion feature is $10.7 million.

 

11. Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting standards require the categorization of financial assets and liabilities, based on the inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The various levels of the fair value hierarchy are described as follows:

 

· Level 1 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in an active market that we have the ability to access.

 

· Level 2 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

 

· Level 3 — Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

 

Accounting standards require the use of observable market data, when available, in making fair value measurements. When inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The Company reviews the valuation techniques used to determine if the fair value measurements are still appropriate on an annual basis, and evaluate and adjust the unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements based on current market conditions and third party information.

 

Common stock is valued at closing price reported on the active market on which the individual securities are traded.

 

The carrying amount of cash, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, accrued other expenses, other current liabilities and convertible notes as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

12. Related Party Transactions

 

(a) $3.0 Million Convertible Note

 

On May 10, 2012, the Executive Chairman and Principal Executive Officer, Mr. Shane McMahon, made a loan to the Company in the amount of $3.0 million. In consideration for the loan, the Company issued a convertible note to Mr. McMahon in the aggregate principal amount of $3.0 million (the “Note”) at a 4% interest rate computed on the basis of a 365 day year. Upon issuance, the conversion price of the Note was equal to the price per share paid for securities by investors in the most recent financing (as of the date of conversion) of equity or equity-linked securities of the Company.

 

  23  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  

 

On November 9, 2017, the Board of Directors approved Amendment No. 7 to $3.0 million Note, pursuant to which the maturity date of the Note was extended to December 31, 2019. The Note remains payable on demand or convertible on demand into common stock at a conversion price of $1.50.

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company recorded interest expense of $30,247 and $89,753, respectively, related to the Note; For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded interest expense of $30,247 and $89,753, respectively, related to the Note.

 

(b) Asset Disposal to BT

 

On November 28, 2017, for strategic reasons, the Company and BT agreed to amend the BT SPA, in which the Company will neither sell the equity of Nanjing Tops Game Co., Ltd, and the equity of the Pantaflix joint venture to BT nor receive the previously agreed upon consideration for such sales. Instead the Company sold to BT 80% of the outstanding capital stock of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media to streamline the operations of the Company and to eliminate the Company’s exposure to any liabilities and obligations of Zhong Hai Shi Xun Media.

 

(c) Acquisition of GuangMing

 

On December 7, 2017, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with Shanghai Guang Ming Investment Management Limited, a PRC limited liability company (“Guang Ming”), Tianjin Sun Seven Stars Culture Development Co. Ltd. (“Tianjin”) and Beijing Nanbei Huijin Investment Co. Ltd. (“BNH”) The Company purchased 100% of Guang Ming’s issued and outstanding shares for a total purchase price of RMB2.4 million (approximately $363,436). Guang Ming holds a special fund management license. The acquisition will help the Company develop a fund management platform. The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon, among other things, Guang Ming, Tianjin and BNH obtaining all of the necessary approvals from the Asset Management Association of China (“AMAC”), a self-regulatory organization that oversees and regulates fund management companies in China. In the event that AMAC does not accept the submission for change of ownership, this agreement shall be rescinded, and the Company shall receive a refund from the sellers of any portion of the purchase price previously paid within 15 days of notice from the Company. This agreement was approved by the Company’s Audit Committee. The closing of the acquisition is also subject to the receipt of a fairness opinion and valuation report satisfactory to the Company, which together conclude that the purchase price of the acquisition is fair from a financial point of view to the Company’s shareholders. The acquisition is deemed to be a related party transaction because Tianjin is an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. In April 2018, the fairness opinion was approved by Audit Committee, and the Company paid the consideration and closed this acquisition.

 

(d) Crude Oil Trading

 

During the first nine months of 2018, ten of our crude oil transactions were purchased from three entities of which our minority shareholder has significant influence upon and because this minority shareholder has significant influence on both our Singapore joint venture and these three entities/suppliers, the Company reported these ten purchases as related party transaction from accounting perspective and hence recorded this as separate related party costs in its financial statement. Associated amounts payable represents almost 58.3% of total liabilities.

 

  24  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

(e) Acquisition of Grapevine

 

On September 4, 2018, the Company have completed the acquisition of 65.65% share of GLT (Note 4). Fomalhaut Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company (“Fomalhaut”), was an equity holder of 34.35% in GLI (the “Fomalhaut Interest”) prior to the merger and remains so following the merger. Fomalhaut will not receive any part of the Purchase Price. Fomalhaut entered into a Stock Option Agreement, effective as of August 31, 2018 (the “Option Agreement”), with the Company pursuant to which the Company provided Fomalhaut with the option to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company. The aggregate sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is the fair market value of the Fomalhaut Interest as of the close of business on the date preceding the date upon which the right to sell the Fomalhaut Interest to the Company is exercised by Fomalhaut. If the option is exercised, the sale price for the Fomalhaut Interest is payable in a combination of 1/3 cash and 2/3 Company shares of common stock at the then market value. The exercise period for the Option Agreement terminates on August 31, 2021.

 

(f) Investment in Asia Times

 

On September 12 2018, the Company announced a 50/50 Joint Venture (JV) with Asia Times Holdings, to be named Asia Times Financial Limited. to take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings. (Note 8). As part of the deal, the Company will take a 10% stake in Asia Times Holdings for $4.0 million cash investment and Asia Times Holdings agreed to contribute $1.0 million of the $4.0 investment to the JV. The Purchase Price is payable in 4 tranches. The Company paid the first $1.0 million payment prior to September 30, 2018. Uwe Parpart, the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer, is the Chairman of Asia Times Holdings.

 

(g) SSSIG Investment

 

On June 21, 2018, the Company entered into a Subscription Agreement (the “Subscription Agreement”) with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“SSSIG”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which SSSIG purchased $3 million of Common Stock at the then market price. The Company has received $1.1 million as of September 30, 2018. No shares have been issued as of as of September 30, 2018.

 

(h) Acquisition of Fintalk

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, the Company’s Chairman and Co- CEO, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the Company in exchange for $1.0 million promissory note (the “Note”) and shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair market value of $6.0 million. The Company shall repay the Note in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per annum. The principal amount of the Note shall become due and payable in the event of a default pursuant to the Note.” The transaction has not been completed as of September 30, 2018.

 

(i) Investment in Liberty

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with Sun Seven Stars Investment Group Limited (“Sun”), an affiliate of Bruno Wu, the then Chairman and Co-CEO of the Company, pursuant to which the Company agreed to purchase from Sun and other persons for whom Sun acted as seller-representative:

 

an aggregate of 8,583,034 shares of common stock of Liberty Biopharma, an entity listed on the TSX venture exchange (“Liberty”), at fair market value, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value; and

 

an aggregate of 3,240,433 additional shares of Liberty, subject to the sellers receiving those shares from Liberty as award of performance shares if and when certain performance and vesting conditions set out in an agreement among Sun, Liberty and the sellers are achieved, in consideration for Company common stock of equivalent value. These Liberty shares represent 50% of performance based Liberty shares to which the sellers are entitled. In the event the performance criteria are not met, the Liberty performance shares will not be issued to the sellers and thus the purchase of these performance shares by the Company will not close.

 

The Company shares to be issued to the sellers in consideration for the Liberty shares are valued at fair market value on the date of each closing. As of September 30, 2018 this transaction was not completed, the Company had not received any shares from Liberty, nor had the Company issued any shares to the sellers.

 

On September 28, 2018, the Company signed the Subscription Agreement with Liberty to purchase 1,173,333 common shares for $2.0 million.  The Company paid $1.0 million of the purchase price as of September 30, 2018.  As of September 30, 2018, this subscription transaction has not yet closed and the Company has not received the shares from Liberty.

 

13. Share-Based Payments

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had 1,706,431 options, 90,586 restricted shares and 60,000 warrants outstanding.

 

The Company awards common stock and stock options to employees and directors as compensation for their services, and accounts for its stock option awards to employees and directors pursuant to the provisions of ASC 718, Stock Compensation . The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company recognizes the fair value of each option as compensation expense ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the service period, which is generally the vesting period.

 

  25  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

Total share-based payments expense recorded by the Company during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively, is as follows:

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Employees and directors share-based payments   $ 11,530     $ 54,846     $ 3,372,447     $ 202,501  

 

Effective as of December 3, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the Wecast Network, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (“the 2010 Plan”) pursuant to which options or other similar securities may be granted. The maximum aggregate number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under the Plan is 4,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2018, options available for issuance are 132,499 shares.

 

(a) Stock Options

 

Stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:

 

                Weighted Average        
                Remaining     Aggregated  
    Options     Weighted Average     Contractual Life     Intrinsic  
    Outstanding     Exercise Price     (Years)     Value  
Outstanding at January 1, 2018     1,853,391     $ 3.20       2.99       0.02  
Granted     -       -                  
Exercised     (110,295 )     1.99                  
Expired     (36,665 )     1.58                  
Forfeited     -       -                  
Outstanding at September 30, 2018     1,706,431       3.28       4.34       0.86  
Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2018     1,706,431       3.28       4.34       0.86  
Options exercisable at September 30, 2018 (vested)     1,615,598       3.36       4.09       0.80  

 

As of September 30, 2018, approximately $110,584 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.67 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was approximately $319,001 and $56,765 respectively. 

 

(b) Warrants

 

In connection with the Company’s financings, the Warner Brother Agreement and the service agreements, the Company issued warrants to service providers to purchase common stock of the Company. The warrants issued to Warner Brother will expire on Jan 31, 2019. The warrants that were issued to SSS has been expired on March 28, 2018.

 

As of September 30, 2018, the weighted average exercise price of the warrants was $1.75 and the weighted average remaining life was 0.59 years. The following table outlines the warrants outstanding and exercisable as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

 

    September 30,     December 31,            
    2018     2017            
    Number of     Number of            
    Warrants     Warrants     Exercise     Expiration
Warrants Outstanding   Outstanding     Outstanding     Price     Date
                       
2014 Broker Warrants (Series E Financing)     60,000       703,714     $ 1.75     01/31/2019
2016 Warrants to SSS     -       1,818,182     $ 2.75     03/28/2018
      60,000       2,521,896              

 

On September 24, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreements with three executives. As part of their employment agreements, they are entitled to warrants for an aggregate of 8,000,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.375 per share (the “Exercise Price”), which is a 25% premium to the $4.30 per share closing market price of the Company’s common stock on September 7, 2018, the date upon which the terms of the employment agreements were mutually agreed. The grant date of the Warrants will be the first date that the Company’s common stock trades at or above the Exercise Price (the “Grant Date”) and the Warrants shall vest as follows: (i) 25% will vest 9 months following the Grant Date; (ii) 50% will vest 18 months following the Grant Date; and (iii) 25% will vest 24 months following the Grant Date. The Company has reserved 8,000,000 shares for issuance in connection with these Warrants. The Company’s shares have not traded at or above the Exercise Price and no warrants have been granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. No stock based compensation expense was recognized since the warrants have not been granted as of September 30, 2018.

 

  26  

 

  

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

(c) Restricted Shares

 

In January, 2017, the Company granted 35,000 restricted shares to one employee under the “2010 Plan”. The restricted shares have a vesting period of four years with the first one-fourth vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the remaining three-fourth vesting ratably over twelve quarters. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $43,750. As this employee left the Company in February, no expense was recorded.

 

In March and April, 2017, the Company granted 365,000 restricted shares to certain employees under the “2010 Plan”. The restricted shares have a vesting period of four years with the first one-fourth vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the remaining three-fourth vesting ratably over twelve quarters. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $778,200.

 

In November, 2017, the Board of Directors approved 2017 independent board compensation plan, which approved to grant 4,488 restricted shares to each of four then independent directors under the “2010 Plan.” The restricted shares were all vested immediately since commencement date. The aggregated grant date fair value of all those restricted shares was $100,000.

 

In April and June, 2018, the Company granted 1,342,743 restricted shares to certain employees under the “2010 Plan”. 1,239,743 of the restricted shares were all vested immediately since commencement date. Rest of the shares have a vesting period of two years with the first half vesting on the first anniversary from grant date and the other half vesting on the second anniversary. The grant date fair value of the restricted shares was $3,469,532.

 

A summary of the restricted shares is as follows:

 

    Shares     Weighted-average
fair value
 
Restricted shares outstanding at January 1, 2018     109,586       1.92  
Granted     1,342,743       2.58  
Forfeited     (97,000 )     2.26  
Vested     (1,264,743 )     2.56  
Restricted shares outstanding at September 30, 2018     90,586       2.46  

 

14. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Net loss attributable to common stockholders   $ (7,186,847 )   $ (3,027,939 )   $ (19,228,240 )   $ (4,698,563 )
Basic                                
Basic weighted average shares outstanding     74,063,495       62,146,168       71,574,303       59,594,289  
                                 
Diluted                                
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     74,063,495       62,146,168       71,574,303       59,594,289  
                                 
Net loss per share:                                
Basic   $ (0.10 )   ($ 0.05 )   $ (0.27 )   ($ 0.08 )
Diluted   $ (0.10 )   ($ 0.05 )   $ (0.27 )   ($ 0.08 )

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share attributable to shareholders is calculated by dividing the net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the applicable period.

 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by taking net earnings (loss), divided by the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings (loss) per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 both equal to basic loss per share for respective periods because the effect of securities convertible into common shares is anti-dilutive.

 

  27  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

The following table includes the number of shares that may be dilutive potential common shares in the future. These shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share because the effect was either antidilutive or the performance condition was not met.

 

    Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017     2018     2017  
Warrants     60,000       3,118,181       60,000       3,118,181  
Options     1,797,017       2,267,095       1,797,017       2,267,095  
Series A Preferred Stock     933,333       933,333       933,333       933,333  
Convertible note and interest     10,227,507       35,598,447       10,227,507       35,598,447  
Total     13,017,857       41,917,056       13,017,857       41,917,056  

 

15. Income Taxes

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $38.0 million of the US domestic cumulative tax loss carryforwards and approximately $33.2 million of the foreign cumulative tax loss carryforwards, which may be available to reduce future income tax liabilities in certain jurisdictions. No U.S. tax loss would be expired based on new Tax Law. These PRC tax loss carryforwards will expire beginning year 2019 to year 2023.

 

The income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is close to nil because of net operating loss and deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carryovers utilized had been offset by a valuations allowance. The Company had established a 100% valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets due to its history of pre-tax losses and the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $4.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, which consists of $3.8 million resulting from operations and $0.7 million resulting from deferred tax liabilities acquired in the Grapevine aquisition.

 

As of September 30, 2018, there are no unrecorded tax benefits which would impact our financial position or our results of operations.

 

16. Contingencies and Commitments

 

(a) Operating Lease Commitment

 

The Company is committed to paying leased property costs related to our offices as follows:

 

    Leased Property  
Years ending December 31,   Costs  
2018(3 months)     274,640  
2019     515,016  
2020     167,712  
Thereafter     -  
Total   $ 957,368  

 

(b) Lawsuits and Legal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings which arise in the ordinary course of business. However, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business. As of September 30, 2018, there are no such legal proceedings or claims that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

  28  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

17. Concentration, Credit and Other Risks

 

(a) PRC Regulations

 

The PRC market in which the Company operates poses certain macro-economic and regulatory risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties extend to the ability of the Company to conduct wireless telecommunication services through contractual arrangements in the PRC since the industry remains highly regulated. The Company conducts legacy YOD business through Zhong Hai Media, which the Company controls as a result of a series of contractual arrangements entered among YOD WOFE, Sinotop Beijing as the parent company of Zhong Hai Media, SSF and the respective legal shareholders of Sinotop Beijing and SSF. The Company believes that these contractual arrangements are in compliance with PRC law and are legally enforceable. If Sinotop Beijing, SSF or their respective legal shareholders fail to perform the obligations under the contractual arrangements or any dispute relating to these contracts remains unresolved, YOD WOFE or YOD HK can enforce its rights under the VIE contracts through PRC law and courts. However, uncertainties in the PRC legal system could limit the Company’s ability to enforce these contractual arrangements. In particular, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties. If YOD WOFE had direct ownership of Sinotop Beijing and SSF, it would be able to exercise its rights as a shareholder to effect changes in the board of directors of Sinotop Beijing or SSF, which in turn could effect changes at the management level, subject to any applicable fiduciary obligations. However, under the current contractual arrangements, the Company relies on Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective legal shareholders to perform their contractual obligations to exercise effective control. The Company also gives no assurance that PRC government authorities will not take a view in the future that is contrary to the opinion of the Company. If the current ownership structure of the Company and its contractual arrangements with the VIEs and their equity holders were found to be in violation of any existing or future PRC laws or regulations, the Company's ability to conduct its business could be affected and the Company may be required to restructure its ownership structure and operations in the PRC to comply with the changes in the PRC laws which may result in deconsolidation of the VIEs.

 

In addition, the telecommunications, information and media industries remain highly regulated. Restrictions are currently in place and are unclear with respect to which segments of these industries foreign owned entities, like YOD WOFE, may operate. The PRC government may issue from time to time new laws or new interpretations on existing laws to regulate areas such as telecommunications, information and media, some of which are not published on a timely basis or may have retroactive effect. For example, there is substantial uncertainty regarding the Draft Foreign Investment Law, including, among others, what the actual content of the law will be as well as the adoption and effective date of the final form of the law. Administrative and court proceedings in China may also be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention. While such uncertainty exists, the Company cannot assure that the new laws, when it is adopted and becomes effective, and potential related administrative proceedings will not have a material and adverse effect on the Company's ability to control the affiliated entities through the contractual arrangements. Regulatory risk also encompasses the interpretation by the tax authorities of current tax laws, and the Company’s legal structure and scope of operations in the PRC, which could be subject to further restrictions resulting in limitations on the Company’s ability to conduct business in the PRC.

 

(b) Major Customers

 

Legacy YOD business

 

The Company has agreements with distribution partners, including digital cable operators, IPTV operators, OTT streaming operators and mobile smartphone manufacturers and operator. A distribution partner that individually generates more than 10% of the Company’s revenue is considered a major customer.

 

On October 8, 2016, the Company signed an agreement to form a partnership with Zhejiang Yanhua ("Yanhua Agreement"), where Yanhua will act as the exclusive distribution operator (within the territory of the People's Republic of China) of WCST's licensed library of major studio films. According to the Yanhua Agreement, the existing legacy Hollywood studio paid contents as well as other IP contents specified in the agreement, along with the corresponding authorized rights letter that WCST is entitled to, will be turned over to Yanhua as a whole package, which was agreed to be priced at RMB13.0 million. In addition to the above-mentioned minimal guarantee fee of RMB13.0 million specified, there is a provision in the Yanhua Agreement which states that once the revenue recognized from the existing contents transferred from WCST to Yanhua reaches the amount of RMB13.0 million, the revenue above RMB13.0 million will be shared with WCST from the date when this revenue threshold is reached based on certain revenue-sharing mechanism stipulated in the Yanhua Agreement.

 

According to the Yanhua Agreement, the total price of the Existing Contents to be transferred is RMB13.0 million. The payment is agreed to be paid in two installments, the first half of RMB6.5 million was received on December 30, 2016. The remaining RMB6.5 million will be paid under the scenario that the license content fees due to Studios for the existing legacy Hollywood paid contents will be settled. Due to the fact that the second installment will depend upon some future events and is contingent in nature, the Company deems this portion of the fee is not fixed or determinable and therefore, this portion of the revenue did not meet the revenue recognition criteria to be recognized accordingly.

 

  29  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

In terms of the additional revenue-sharing fee over the above-mentioned RMB13.0 million fee specified, considering that this part of arrangement fee is not fixed or determinable at the time point as of September 30, 2018, it has not met the criteria for revenue recognition, management will recognize it once it becomes determinable and meet the other revenue recognition criteria in the future.

 

Pursuant to the Yanhua Agreement, RMB6.5 million was recognized as revenue in 2017 based on the relative fair value of licensed content delivered to Yanhua.

 

Wecast Services

 

The holdings and businesses from Company’s two acquisitions in January 2017(Note 4) now reside under “Wecast Services”, our wholly-owned subsidiary Wecast Services Group Limited. Wecast Services is currently primarily engaged with consumer electronics e-commerce and crude oil supply chain management operations. The Company has been engaged in the crude oil supply chain business since October 2017.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, one customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. Two customers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivables as of September 30, 2017, respectively.

 

For the nine months ended September, 2018, one customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. One customer individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivables as of September 30, 2018.

 

(c) Major Suppliers

 

Legacy YOD business

 

The Company relies on agreements with studio content partners to acquire video contents. A content partner that accounts for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues is considered a major supplier. Since January 1, 2017, only the content that was acquired from SSS in the amount of $17.7 million were still recorded as licensed content assets and amortized into cost of sales based on revenue and gross profit margin estimates. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, $0.8 million was recorded in cost of sales and $0.8 million was recorded as revenue. No further revenue nor cost of sales was recorded since March 31, 2017.

 

Wecast Services

 

The Company relies on agreements with consumer electronics manufacturers and crude oil suppliers.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, three suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues. Three suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable as of September 30, 2017.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, two suppliers individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s cost of revenues. Two supplier individually accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable and amount due to related parties as of September 30, 2018.

 

(d) Concentration of Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk primarily consist of cash and accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s cash was held by financial institutions (located in the PRC, Hong Kong , the United States and Singapore) that management believes have acceptable credit. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are mainly derived from revenues from Wecast Services. The risk with respect to accounts receivable is mitigated by regular credit evaluations that the Company performs on its distribution partners and its ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances.

 

(e) Foreign Currency Risks

 

A portion of the Company’s operating transactions are denominated in RMB and a portion of the Company’s assets and liabilities is denominated in RMB. RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies. The value of the RMB is subject to changes in the PRC’s government policies and to international economic and political developments. In the PRC, certain foreign exchange transactions are required by laws to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”). Remittances by us in currencies other than RMB in China must be processed through PBOC or other China foreign exchange regulatory bodies that require certain supporting documentation in order to complete the remittance.

 

  30  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

Cash consists of cash on hand and demand deposits at banks, which are unrestricted as to withdrawal.

 

Time deposits, which mature within one year as of the balance sheet date, represent interest-bearing certificates of deposit with an initial term of greater than three months when purchased. Time deposits which mature over one year as of the balance sheet date are included in non-current assets.

 

Cash and time deposits maintained at banks consist of the following:

 

    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
RMB denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in the PRC   $ 961,428       684,115  
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in the PRC   $ 328,021       628,481  
HKD denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HK SAR”)   $ 35,695       17,508  
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HK SAR”)   $ 11,310,538       1,505,271  
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in Singapore (“Singapore”)     884,060       1,033,769  
US dollar denominated bank deposits with financial institutions in The United States of America (“USA”)   $ 1,934,395       3,698,704  

 

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, deposits of $nil and $398,243 were insured, respectively. To limit exposure to credit risk relating to bank deposits, the Company primarily places bank deposits only with large financial institutions in the PRC, HK SAR, USA, Singapore and Cayman with acceptable credit ratings.

 

18. Defined Contribution Plan

 

For our U.S. employees, during 2011, the Company began sponsoring a 401(k) defined contribution plan ("401(k) Plan") that provides for a 100% employer matching contribution of the first 3% and a 50% employer matching contribution of each additional percent contributed by an employee up to 5% of each employee’s pay. Employees become fully vested in employer matching contributions after six months of employment. Company 401(k) matching contributions were approximately $487 and $3,242 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 respectively and $3,980 and $6,526 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 respectively.

 

Full time employees in the PRC participate in a government-mandated defined contribution plan pursuant to which certain pension benefits, medical care, unemployment insurance, employee housing fund and other welfare benefits are provided to employees. PRC labor regulations require the Company to make contributions based on certain percentages of the employees’ basic salaries. Other than such contributions, there is no further obligation under these plans. The total contribution for such PRC employee benefits was $607,872 and $274,049 for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

19. Segment Reporting

 

The Company’s chief operating decision maker has been identified as the chief executive officer, who reviews consolidated results when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the Company. In fiscal year 2016, the Company operated and reported its performance in one segment. However, starting from fiscal year 2017, since Company has acquired Wecast Services Limited and Wide Angle Group Limited in January 2017 (see note 4), the Company has operated two segments including Legacy YOD segment and Wecast Service segment. Therefore, there are two reportable segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The two reportable segments are: 

 

(i) Legacy YOD  – This segment provides premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programming to digital cable providers, Internet Protocol Television (“IPTV”) providers. The core revenues are generated from both minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers.

 

(ii) Wecast Service  - Wecast Services is currently primarily engaged with consumer electronics and oil crude supply chain management operations, and is also focused on acquiring and developing next-generation fintech solutions based on AI and blockchain technology.

 

  31  

 

 

Ideanomics, Inc., Its Subsidiaries and Variable Interest Entities
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   

 

Segment disclosures are on a performance basis consistent with internal management reporting. The Company does not allocate expenses below segment gross profit since these segments share the same executive team, office space, occupancy expenses, information technology infrastructures, human resources and finance department. The following tables summarized the Company’s revenue and cost generated from different segments.

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017  
NET SALES TO EXTERNAL CUSTOMERS                
-Legacy YOD   $ -     $ 794,273  
-Wecast Service     362,628,296       105,930,593  
Net sales     362,628,296       106,724,866  
GROSS PROFIT                
-Legacy YOD     -       31,662  
-Wecast Service     2,788,731       5,804,200  
Gross profit     2,788,731       5,835,862  
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2018     2017  
TOTAL ASSETS                
-Legacy YOD   $ 27,034,157       27,141,163  
-Wecast Service     51,254,046       30,084,607  
-Unallocated assets     94,617,524       11,270,378  
-Intersegment elimination     (5,182,259 )     (5,051,660 )
Total     167,723,468       63,444,488  

  

20. Subsequent Events

 

As of November 14, 2018, the Company’s material subsequent events described below.

 

Business Name Change

 

On October 17, 2018, following approval from the Company’s shareholders received by written consent on August 28, 2018 and as disclosed in an information statement mailed to the Company’s stockholders on or about September 11, 2018, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada changing the Company’s name from Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. to Ideanomics, Inc.

 

Global Headquarters for Technology and Innovation in Connecticut

 

On October 10, 2018, the Company purchased a 58-acre former University of Connecticut campus in West Hartford from the State of Connecticut and in connection for $5.2 million. The Company also obtained a surety bond in favor of the University of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s environmental remediation obligations.  In order to obtain the surety bond the Company was required to post $3.6 million in cash collateral with the bonding company. Ideanomics plans to transform the property into a world-renowned technology campus named Fintech Village. The planned $283 million-plus investment will focus on being a leading technology and innovation facility for developing new and leading edge Fintech solutions utilizing artificial intelligence, deep learning, IoT, and blockchain.

 

In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into an Assistance Agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development (the “Assistance Agreement"), pursuant to which the State of Connecticut may provide up to $10 million of financial assistance (the “Funding”) which in such case shall be evidenced by a promissory note, provided, however, that the aggregate principal of the funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of the project. The Company will provide security for its obligation to repay the Funding to the State of Connecticut in the form of a first position mortgage. The Company agrees that in exchange for the Funding it will provide a minimum number of jobs at a minimum annual amount of compensation by December 31, 2021. Failure of the Company to do so will subject it to certain cash penalties for each employee below the minimum employment threshold. If the Company meets the employment obligations it is eligible for forgiveness of up to $10.0 million of the Funding. The Company will agree to certain covenants with respect to the Funding and such Funding may become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of certain standard events of default.

 

Joint Venture with TPJ Ltd.

 

On October 9 2018,  the Company announced that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with TPJ Ltd, to create Ideanomics Resources LTD, a company organized under the laws of England and Wales and based in London. The joint venture will initially focus its efforts in Africa and Middle East, where it has significant long-term relationships and unlock value in the commodities and energy sectors by leveraging and utilizing the Ideanomics Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) solutions. The Company will own 75% equity interest of Ideanomics Resources.

 

  32  

 

   

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

 

This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by the use of forward-looking words such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "continue", or other similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or financial condition or state other "forward-looking" information. For example, forward-looking statements include any statements regarding the strategies, prospects, plans, expectations or objectives of management for future operations, the progress, scope or duration of the development of our video on demand business, blockchain enabled logistics business, digital trading business, any business plans, timelines and potential results, the benefits that may be derived from certain acquisitions, joint venture or partnerships, or the commercial or market opportunity involving securitizing digital assets, our anticipated operations, financial position, revenues, costs or expenses, statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. We believe that it is important to communicate our future expectations to our investors. However, these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from the expectations that are expressed, implied or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. There may be events in the future that we are unable to accurately predict or control, including weather conditions and other natural disasters which may affect demand for our products, and the product–development and marketing efforts of our competitors. Examples of these events are more fully described under Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, readers should carefully review the reports and documents the Company files from time to time with the SEC, particularly its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K , Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports.

 

  33  

 

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

The following management’s discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report. In addition to historical information, the following discussion contains certain forward-looking information. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” above for certain information concerning those forward-looking statements.

 

Overview

 

From 2010 through 2017, our primary business activities have been providing premium content video on demand (“VOD”) services with primary operations in the People’s Republic of China through our subsidiaries and variable interest entities under the brand name YOU On Demand (“YOD”). In our YOD business, we provide premium content and integrated value-added service solutions for the delivery of VOD and paid video programing to digital cable providers, Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) providers, over-the-top (“OTT”) streaming providers, mobile manufacturers and operators, as well as direct customers.

 

Starting in early 2017, while continuing to support our legacy YOD business, we began transitioning our business model to become a next generation financial technology (“fintech”) company, with the intention of offering financing solutions and logistics solutions, each based on the emergence of trading systems that utilize blockchain and artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies. On the financing solutions side, we have been building capabilities both in providing business consulting services related to traditional financings, as well as in developing digital asset securitization services via AI and blockchain enabled financial services platforms. On the logistics side, we have been building expertise in the traditional commodities trading business, with an initial focus on crude oil trading and consumer electronics trading, with the goal of leveraging such expertise to inform the development of an AI and blockchain enabled logistics platform.

 

We refer to our YOD business as our Legacy YOD segment, and to all our other operations as our Wecast Service segment. Aside from the Legacy YOD segment, only the commodities trading component of our logistics business is operational and revenue generating.

 

Financing Solutions

 

We plan to assist various companies across industry verticals in completing capital raising transactions by providing consulting services to companies seeking financing through conventional means, such as sales of traditional equity and debt securities, and through the sales of securitized assets represented by digital tokens, or “digital securitized assets.” We believe that this dual approach to raising capital will provide us with flexibility to address the needs of issuers and investors. In connection with this strategy, we intend to use AI and blockchain enabled financial technology to provide asset owners and the investment community a seamless method and platform for the creation of digital assets. Specifically, we plan to facilitate the securitization of tangible and intangible assets into new financial products, “tokenize” these financial products by digitally recording them on a blockchain, enable advanced platforms and capabilities using AI and blockchain technology, and support the distribution and monetization of digital assets. We believe the infrastructure we are developing in these areas will enable us to assist customers and derive revenues from fees in connection with the process of creating, marketing and selling digital securitized assets.

 

We believe that regulated alternative trading systems (“ATSs”) are important for the development of trading markets for blockchain based digital tokens, including the digital securitized assets we plan to originate as part of our financing solutions business. Accordingly, we are making strategic investments that are intended to promote the development of regulated ATSs that will enhance the blockchain token trading ecosystem. In 2017, we made an investment in Delaware Board of Trade Holdings, Inc. (“DBOT”), which is a FINRA member firm and has filed an initial operations report on Form ATS to give notice of operations of DBOT ATS, LLC, and which we believe is well positioned to develop blockchain enabled transactional platforms.

 

We also intend to enter into partnerships and joint ventures to support the use of AI powered analytics for the trading, pricing, indexing and ratings of digital tokens, including digital securitized assets, such as a joint venture to develop AI driven financial data services that we established in 2017. We expect the value of these strategic investments to increase as the market for digital tokens matures and to the extent these platforms begin to provide more robust solutions to the trading ecosystem.

 

Logistics Management Platform

 

As part of our larger blockchain strategy, we intend to enter into joint ventures, strategic investments and partnerships to explore the application of blockchain technologies to logistics management. We believe that blockchain enabled logistics platforms can eliminate standard transactional intermediaries in the freight and shipping industry. We believe that by decreasing middle-man costs, we can greatly improve the efficiency of capital utilization, expand margins and accelerate inventory turnover for companies shipping goods across myriad industries. We are continuing to investigate potential blockchain technologies that are well-suited to the development of products to streamline the logistics market.

 

  34  

 

 

In connection with this strategy, we entered the commodities trading business through a series of acquisitions and investments. The primary goal for entering this business was to learn about the needs of buyers and sellers in industries that rely heavily on the shipment of goods, which we believe has informed our understanding of the features a blockchain platform would need to serve the logistics market. Specifically, we elected to focus on the crude oil and consumer electronics businesses, which are industries that we believe are sufficiently commoditized and high volume to serve as meaningful controls to identify inefficiencies in the logistics market and generate data to support the potential future application of AI solutions. Our crude oil trading business commenced in October 2017, when we formed our Singapore joint venture, Seven Stars Energy Pte. Ltd. Our consumer electronics trading business commenced on January 2017, and is operated out of Hong Kong through our subsidiary, Amer Global Technology Limited. Our end customers include about 15 to 20 corporations across the world. Our commodities trading business does not currently integrate blockchain or AI based logistics solutions.

 

Legacy YOD Segment

 

The core revenues from our Legacy YOD segment have been generated both from minimum guarantee payments and revenue sharing arrangements with distribution partners as well as subscription or transactional fees from subscribers. We run our legacy YOD business with limited resources, as our legacy YOD business since October 2016 has operated through a five-year partnership with Zhejiang Yanhua Culture Media Co., Ltd., a company organized under the laws of the PRC (“Yanhua”), where Yanhua will act as the exclusive distribution operator (within the territory of the PRC) of our licensed library of major studio films (the “Yanhua Partnership”). We entered into the Yanhua Partnership in order to offset losses from high upfront minimum guarantee licensing fees to studios. The Yanhua Partnership modified and improved our legacy major studio paid content business model by moving from a framework that included [high and fixed costs and upfront minimum guaranteed payments], rising content costs from major Hollywood studios and low margins to a structure that will now include relatively nominal costs to our Company and the opportunity to reach an even wider audience. With the Yanhua Partnership, Yanhua assumed all sales and marketing costs and will pay us a minimum guarantee in exchange for a percentage of the total revenue share.

 

Recent Developments

 

On August 3, 2018, we entered into a joint venture with Aladdin Fintech Company Limited (“Aladdin”). The joint venture will focus on three primary areas of business activities: (1) Fixed income-based real estate product offerings using Velocity Ledger for global fractionalization, securitization, and tokenization offerings, starting with the cash flow-producing commercial properties of large insurance companies as underlying assets; (2) Velocity Ledger-based fractionalization, securitization, and tokenization of Real Estate projects and services; and (3) the Company’s BBD Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance real estate ratings and risk management services. The Company and Aladdin each own 50% of the joint venture respectively. The joint venture’s board has three members, comprised of a Company appointee, an Aladdin appointee, and an independent appointee. Aladdin is contributing RMB300,000 as working capital, and the Company is contributing RMB300,000 as a loan at 4% and repaid as a priority from revenues generated. Aladdin’s subsidiary, I-House (“IHT”)  is responsible for staffing the joint venture’s management, sales and operations team. The Company will also contribute the systems and resources to facilitate digital offerings through the IHT platform. The Company is responsible for (i) all company registrations, licenses and regulatory approvals required for operations in the territories agreed by the two parties, (ii) contributing deal flow and strategic cooperation to ensure real estate assets are available for IHT token offerings and (iii) developing a global real estate index series utilizing its BBD AI Engine.

 

On August 19, 2018, we entered into a Financial Advisory Agreement with National Transport Capacity Co., Ltd, a company established in the People’s Republic of China (“NTC”), pursuant to which NTC agreed to engage the Company as NTC’s advisor with respect to NTC’s financing of its electric bus transformation business for the next 3 years. The Company shall assist NTC with conducting fractionalization sales of fixed income products in China on a non-exclusive basis. The Company shall also assist with conducting fixed income product issuance and digital asset issuance in areas other than mainland China on an exclusive basis.

 

  35  

 

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into a Global Advisory Agreement (the “First Auto Agreement”) with First Auto Loan (Oriental Huixin Investment Management Co., Ltd.), a company established in the People’s Republic of China (“First Auto”) pursuant to which First Auto agreed to engage the Company as First Auto’s advisor with respect certain areas, amongst other things, First Auto’s (i) electric vehicle upgrading and updating services; (ii) financing small businesses in the micro-car circulation industry; (iii) consumption installment of car loans and (iv) asset securitization of existing auto loan packages. The First Auto Agreement is exclusive other than with respect to mainland China and Hong Kong. The First Auto Agreement is for a 3 year term, however, each of the Company and First Auto may terminate the First Auto Agreement if proper progress is not made within 6 months.

 

On September 7, 2018, the Company entered into an Intellectual Property and Purchase and Assumption Agreement (the “SSIL Agreement”) with Sun Seven Star International Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SSIL”) and an affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu, our Chairman, pursuant to which SSIL sold the assets of FinTalk to the Company in exchange for $1,000,000 promissory note and shares of the Company’s Common Stock with a fair market value of $6,000,000. The Company shall repay the promissory note in 12 equal monthly installments commencing on October 7, 2018 at an interest rate of 2.51% per annum. The principal amount of the Note shall become due and payable in the event of a default pursuant to the Note.

 

On October 10, 2018, the Company closed the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreement, which was effective July 11, 2018, with the State of Connecticut acting by and through the University of Connecticut pursuant to which the Company purchased the parcel of land formerly known as the University of Connecticut Greater Hartford campus, including buildings and improvements for purposes of creating a technology and innovation center. The Company delivered $5,200,000, the balance of the purchase price contemplated by the agreement is closed. The Company also obtained a surety bond in favor of the University of Connecticut and the State of Connecticut in connection with the Company’s environmental remediation obligations. In order to obtain the surety bond the Company was required to post $3.6 million in cash collateral with the bonding company. In connection with the acquisition, the Company also entered into an Assistance Agreement by and between the State of Connecticut, acting by the Department of Economic and Community Development (the “Assistance Agreement"), pursuant to which the State of Connecticut may provide up to $10,000,000 of financial assistance (the “Funding”) which in such case shall be evidenced by a promissory note, provided, however, that the aggregate principal of the funding shall not exceed 50% of the cost of the project. The Company will provide security for its obligation to repay the Funding to the State of Connecticut in the form of a first position mortgage. The Company agrees that in exchange for the Funding it will provide a minimum number of jobs at a minimum annual amount of compensation by December 31, 2021. Failure of the Company to do so will subject it to certain cash penalties for each employee below the minimum employment threshold. If the Company meets the employment obligations it is eligible for forgiveness of up to $10,000,000 of the Funding. The Company will agree to certain covenants with respect to the Funding and such Funding may become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of certain standard events of default.

 

On October 18, 2018, we entered into a Financial Advisory Service Agreement (“Financial Advisory Agreement”) with Zhonjinhuifu Resources CO., LTD, a Hong Kong company (“Zhonjinhuifu”), pursuant to which the Company will advise Zhonjinhuifu on (i) its planned $200 million capital raise over the next two years and (ii) a security token offering (“STO”). Zhonjinhuifu operates various mining projects, including the kekeshisi magnesia-nickel silicon mine in Toli County, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Pursuant to the terms of the Financial Advisory Agreement, the Company’s services to Zhonjinhuifu will include advising on financing-related activities with respect to the issuance of both utility tokens and securities tokens outside of China and Hong Kong; fixed income products, other digital assets and other financing products; and recommending suitable traditional and digital financing tools, including those on blockchain platforms. The Company will receive a variable service fee of the aggregate funds raised by Zhonjinhuifu, subject to regulatory approval.

  

  36  

 

 

Principal Factors Affecting Our Financial Performance

 

Our operating results are primarily affected by the following factors:

 

  · Our ability to transform our business and to meet internal or external expectations of future performance . We are aiming to become a next generation Artificial-Intelligent (AI) & Blockchain-Powered, Fintech company. By managing and providing an infrastructure and environment that facilitates the transformation of traditional financial markets such as commodities, currency and credit into the asset digitalization era, SSC hopes to provide asset owners and holders a seamless method and platform for digital asset securitization, tokenization and trading. Separately, SSC offers a closed supply chain trading ecosystem for corporate buyers and sellers designed to eliminate standard transactional intermediaries and create a more direct and margin-expanding path for principals. In connection with this transformation, the Company is in the process of considerable changes, which include the assemblement of a new management team in the U.S. and overseas, reconfiguring the business structure to reflect our Blockchain and FinTech strategy, continue to further enhance our controls, procedures, and oversight during this transformation, and expand the Company’s mission and business lines for continued growth.  It is uncertain whether these efforts will prove beneficial or whether we will be able to develop the necessary business models, infrastructure and systems to support the business. This includes having or hiring the right talent to execute our business strategy. Market acceptance of new product and service offerings will be dependent in part on our ability to include functionality and usability that address customer requirements, and optimally price our products and services to meet customer demand and cover our costs.

 

  · Our ability to remain competitive . Our current electronic and crude oil products and services compete in highly competitive global markets characterized by aggressive price competition and resulting downward pressure on gross margins, frequent introduction of new products, short product life cycles, evolving industry standards, continual improvement in product price/performance characteristics, rapid adoption of technological and product advancements by competitors and price sensitivity on the part of consumers. As part of our blockchain and AI focused stratgy, we are currently focused on consumer electronics and the  crude oil trading business in supply chain management with the intent to migrate this on to the blockchain with AI capabilites. As such, the company is co-developing the underlying technology platform with its technology partner with an aim to become a smart supply chain management platform with one token as means of settlement and digital wallet function. In the near future, once the technology platform is fully functional, the company will bring customers of traditional 3C consumer electronics business and crude oil trading business onto the platform, which will greatly improve the efficiency of capital utilization and inventory turnover for both consumer electronics and crude oil business by cutting middle-man cost. The above technology platforms will help both the consumer electronic and crude oil business to transform from supply chain only operations into digital ecosystem management platform.

 

Taxation

 

United States

 

Ideanomics, Inc. and M. Y. Products, LLC are subject to United States tax. No provision for income taxes in the United States has been made as none of the companies had taxable profit in the United States since inception. Under U.S. Tax Reform, the Comapny is required to pay, a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings from non-U.S. subsidiaries that is payable over eight years. We have subsequently determined that there is only less than $150,000 unrepatriated earnings for each non-U.S. subsidiary in aggregate. Therefore, only a minimal tax is due under this provision.

 

Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands

 

Under the current laws of the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands, we are not subject to tax on our income or capital gains. In addition, dividend payments are not subject to withholding tax in the Cayman Islands or British Virgin Islands.

 

Hong Kong

 

Our subsidiaries that were incorporated in Hong Kong were under the current laws of Hong Kong, are subject to Profits Tax of 16.5%. No provision for Hong Kong Profits Tax has been made as net operating loss carryovers offset current taxable income.

 

The People’s Republic of China

 

Under the PRC’s Enterprise Income Tax Law, our Chinese subsidiaries and VIEs are subject to an earned income tax of 25.0%.

 

Our future effective income tax rate depends on various factors, such as tax legislation, the geographic composition of our pre-tax income and non-tax deductible expenses incurred. Our management carefully monitors these legal developments to determine if there will be any change in the statutory income tax rate.

 

  37  

 

 

Consolidated Results of Operations

 

Comparison of Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

    Three Months Ended              
    September 30, 2018     September 30, 2017     Amount Change     % Change  
Revenue   $ 43,707,937     $ 30,229,255     $ 13,478,682       45 %
Cost of revenue     42,844,876       28,273,863       14,571,013       52 %
Gross profit     863,061       1,955,392       (1,092,331 )     (56 )%
                                 
Operating expense:                                
Selling, general and administrative expenses expenses     4,333,259       3,684,749       648,510       18 %
Research and development     667,416       400,040       267,376       67 %
Professional fees     1,927,431       839,836       1,087,595       130 %
Impairment of other intangible assets     -       152,847       (152,847 )     (100 )%
Depreciation and amortization     291,512       36,952       254,560       689 %
                                 
Total operating expense     7,219,618       5,114,424       2,105,194       41 %
                                 
Loss from operations     (6,356,557 )     (3,159,032 )     (3,197,525 )     101 %
Interest expense, net     (145,610 )     (26,029 )     (119,581 )     459 %
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities     -       131,357       (131,357 )     (100 )%
Equity in loss of equity method investees     (13,882 )     (23,632 )     9,750       (41 )%
Others     (925,771 )     72,120       (997,891 )     (1384 )%
                                 
Loss before income taxes     (7,441,820 )     (3,005,216 )     (4,436,604 )     148 %
                                 
Income tax benefit     -       -       -       0 %
                                 
Net loss     (7,441,820 )     (3,005,216 )     (4,436,604 )     148 %
                                 
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest     254,973       (22,723 )     277,696       (1222 )%
                                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders   $ (7,186,847 )   $ (3,027,939 )   $ (4,158,908 )     137 %

 

Revenues

All revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were generated by consumer electronics trading business in our Wecast segment. Our Legacy YOD segment has not generated significant revenue since the quarter ended March 31, 2017. We received an initial payment from Yanhua of RMB6.5 million (approximately $1 million) on December 30, 2016, which was recognized as revenue in the first quarter of 2017, but we have not received additional payments from Yanhua pursuant to the Yanhua partnership.

  

    2018Q3     2017Q3     Diff  
    USD     %     USD     USD     %  
Wecast Services     43,707,937       100 %     30,229,255       13,478,682       45 %
Total     43,707,937       100 %     30,229,255       13,478,682       45 %

 

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $43.7 million as compared to $30.2 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $13.5 million, or 45%. The increase was mainly due to our expanding business with consumer electronics .

 

  38  

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

    2018Q3     2017Q3     Diff  
    USD     %     USD     USD     %  
Wecast Services     42,844,876       100 %     28,273,863       14,571,013       52 %
 Total     42,844,876       100 %     28,273,863       14,571,013       52 %

 

Cost of revenues was approximately $42.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $28.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Our cost of revenues increased by $14.6 million which is in line with our increase in revenues. Our cost of revenues is primarily comprised of costs to business with consumer electronics and smart supply chain management .

 

Gross profit

 

    2018Q3     2017Q3     Diff  
    USD     %     USD     USD     %  
Wecast Services     863,061       100 %     1,955,392       (1,092,331 )     (56 )%
 Total     863,061       100 %     1,955,392       (1,092,331 )     (56 )%

 

Our gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $0.9 million, as compared to gross profit in the amount of $2.0 million during the same period in 2017. The gross profit ratio for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was 2.0%, while in 2017, it was 6.47%. The decrease was mainly due to the gross profit ratio of our consumer electronics decreased compared to the same period in 2017.

 

Research and development expense

 

Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.7 million as compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $0.3 million or 67%. The majority of the increase was due to the increase of expense on AI and blockchain technology.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $4.3 million as compared to $3.7 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $0.6 million or 18%. The majority of the increase was due to our efforts to assemble a new management team in the U.S. and overseas.

 

Professional fees

 

Professional fees are generally related to public company reporting and governance expenses as well as legal fees related to our business transformation and expansion. Professional fees for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $1.9 million as compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2017, a increase of approximately $1.1 million. The increase was related to the above factors as well as fees associated with continuing to build out our technology ecosystem and establishing strategic partnerships and M&A activity as part of this technology ecosystem.

The majority of the increase was due to required professional services for legal, audit and tax.

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.3 million as compared to $0.04 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $0.26 million. The increase was mainly due to aquisition for Grapevine.

 

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

 

Certain of our warrants are recognized as derivative liabilities and re-measured at the end of every reporting period and upon settlement, with the change in value reported in the statement of operations. We reported a gain in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $0.13 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. All the remaining warrant liabilities have been expired as of August 30, 2017.

 

Income tax expenses

 

The income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 is nil because net operating loss carryovers offset current taxable income and deferred tax assets related to the net operating loss carryovers utilized had been offset by a valuation allowance.

 

  39  

 

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

Hua Cheng previously had a 20% non-controlling interest in Zhong Hai Media and accounting for that interest under the equity method was recognized by recording 20% of the operating losses of Zhong Hai Media. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, operating loss attributable to Hua Cheng was approximately $0.03 million. The Company sold Zhong Hai Media on June 30, 2017 and there have been no more such allocations since then.

 

Dillon Yu has a 49% non-controlling interest in Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited (“Wecast SH”) and as such we allocate 49% of the operating loss of Wecast SH to Dillon Yu. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $307 of our operating loss from Wecast SH was allocated to Dillon Yu, which was approximately $0.1 million in the same period in 2017.

 

Swiss Guorong Limited has a 45% non-controlling interest in Wide Angle and as such we allocate 45% of the operating profit of Wide Angle to Swiss Guorong Limited. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.05 million of our operating loss from Wide Angle was allocated to Swiss Guorong Limited, which was approximately $0.03 million in the same period in 2017.

 

Comparison of Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 and 2017

 

    Nine Months Ended              
    September 30,
2018
    September 30,
2017
    Amount Change     % Change  
Revenue   $ 362,628,296     $ 106,724,866     $ 255,903,430       240 %
Cost of revenue     359,839,565       100,889,004       258,950,561       257 %
Gross profit     2,788,731       5,835,862       (3,047,131 )     (52 )%
                                 
Operating expense:                                
                                 
Selling, general and administrative expenses expenses     16,861,425       8,021,825       8,839,600       110 %
Research and development     1,393,025       400,040       992,985       248 %
Professional fees     3,280,729       1,888,361       1,392,368       74 %
Impairment of other intangible assets     -       216,468       (216,468 )     (100 )%
Depreciation and amortization     314,737       294,272       20,465       7 %
                                 
Total operating expense     21,849,916       10,820,966       11,028,950       102 %
                                 
Loss from operations     (19,061,185 )     (4,985,104 )     (14,076,081 )     282 %
Interest expense, net     (201,782 )     (70,779 )     (131,003 )     185 %
Change in fair value of warrant liabilities     -       (112,642 )     112,642       (100 )%
Equity in loss of equity method investees     (44,316 )     (100,468 )     56,152       (56 )%
Others     (558,271 )     (38,480 )     (519,791 )     1351 %
                                 
Loss before income taxes     (19,865,554 )     (5,307,473 )     (14,558,081 )     274 %
                                 
Income tax benefit     -       -       -       0 %
                                 
Net loss     (19,865,554 )     (5,307,473 )     (14,558,081 )     274 %
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest     637,314       608,910       28,404       5 %
                                 
Net loss attributable to common shareholders   $ (19,228,240 )   $ (4,698,563 )   $ (14,529,677 )     309 %

 

  40  

 

 

Revenues

 

    Nine months ended September 30,
2018
    Nine months ended September 30,
2017
    Diff  
    USD     %     USD     USD     %  
Legacy YOD     -       -       794,273       (794,273 )     (100 )%
Wecast Services     362,628,296       100 %     105,930,593       256,697,703       242 %
Total     362,628,296       100 %     106,724,866       255,903,430       240 %

 

Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $362.6 million as compared to $106.7 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $255.9 million, or 240%. The increase was mainly due to our expanding business of crude oil trading initiated in October 2017. This increase was partially offset in the amount of $0.8 million by a decrease of our legacy YOD business, which has been operated under new exclusive distribution agreement with Yanhua since the fourth quarter of 2016.

 

Gross profit

 

    2018 1-9     2017 1-9     Diff  
    USD     %     USD     USD     %  
Legacy YOD     -       -       31,659       (31,659 )     (100 )%
Wecast Services     2,788,731       100 %     5,804,203       (3,015,472 )     (52 )%
Total     2,788,731       100 %     5,835,862       (3,047,131 )     (52 )%

 

Our gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $2.8 million, as compared to gross profit in the amount of $5.8 million during the same period in 2017. The gross profit ratio for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 0.77%, while in 2017, it was 5.47%. The decrease was mainly due to the low gross profit margin of the crude oil trading business which has expanded and caused our gross profit margin ratio to decrease. 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 increased approximately $8.8 million, or 110%, as compared with the amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The majority of the increase was due to 1) an increase in headcounts and relevant traveling expense in the amount of $2.6 million; 2) an increase of approximately of $3.2 million in share based compensation that were paid to our employees; 3) an increase of approximately of $1.2 million in consulting, legal, and professional service fees that were paid to our external consultants who provided various consulting services with respect to our on-going financial digital assets business; 4) an increase in our sales and marketing expense in the amount of $1.8 million relating to the introduction and promotion of our business models to various potential investors and business partners, as well as the marketing of Wecast Services, which was acquired in January 2017.

 

Research and development expenses

 

Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $1.4 million as compared to $0.4 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $1.0 million or 348%. The majority of the increase was due to the increase of expense on AI and blockchain technology.

 

Professional fees

 

Professional fees are generally related to public company reporting and governance expenses as well as legal fees related to business transformation and expansion. Our costs for professional fees increased approximately $1.4 million, or 74%, to $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared with the same period in 2017. The increase was required professional services for legal, valuation, audit and tax as well as fees associated with continuing to build out our technology ecosystem and establishing strategic partnerships and M&A activity as part of this technology ecosystem.

 

  41  

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

Depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.31 million as compared to $0.29 million for the same period in 2017, an increase of approximately $0.02 million.

 

Change in fair value of warrant liabilities

 

Certain of our warrants are recognized as derivative liabilities and re-measured at the end of every reporting period and upon settlement, with the change in value reported in the statement of operations. We reported a loss in the fair value of warrant liabilities of $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. All the remaining warrant liabilities have been expired as of August 30, 2017.

 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

 

Hua Cheng previously had a 20% non-controlling interest in Zhong Hai Media and accounting for that interest under the equity method was recognized by recording 20% of the operating losses of Zhong Hai Media. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, approximately $0.03 million of our operating loss from Zhong Hai Media was allocated to Hua Cheng. The Company sold Zhong Hai Media on June 30, 2017 and there have therefore no more such allocations since then.

 

Dillon Yu has a 49% non-controlling interest in Shanghai Wecast Supply Chain Management Limited (“Wecast SH”) and as such we allocate 49% of the operating loss of Wecast SH to Dillon Yu. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $1,343 of our operating loss from Wecast SH was allocated to Dillon Yu, which was $0.6 million in the same period in 2017.

 

Swiss Guorong Limited has a 45% non-controlling interest in Wide Angle and as such we allocate 45% of the operating profit of Wide Angle to Swiss Guorong Limited. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, approximately $0.3 million of our operating loss from Wide Angle was allocated to Swiss Guorong Limited, which was $0.003 million in the same period in 2017.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had cash of approximately $16.03 million. Approximately $11.4 million was held in our Hong Kong, US and Singapore entities and $4.63 million was held in our mainland China entities. The Company has no plans to repatriate these funds.

 

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report, the Company has incurred significant continuing losses in 2018 and 2017, and total accumulated deficits were $145.9 million and $126.7 million as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company also used cash for operations of approximately $17.6 million and $6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.We must continue to rely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to fund ongoing operating expenses to date, which could raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans regarding these matters are also described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements in this report. The consolidated financial statements included in this report have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustment that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.

 

On May 19, 2017, we completed a common stock financing with certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates of the Company for $2.0 million. In addition, we completed a common stock financing with Hong Kong Guo Yuan Group Capital Holdings Limited for $10 million on October 23, 2017. In March 2018, the Company entered into a common stock financing with GT Dollar Pte. Ltd., for a private placement totaling $40.0 million, which agreement was subsequently amended and restated on June 28, 2018 to reduce such investment to $10.0 million (See Note 9). The Company has received $5.3 million during the second quarters, and received the remaining $4.7 million in the third quarter. The Company entered into a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement with Advantech Capital Investment II Limited on June 28, 2018 for $12.0 million. The funds were delivered on July 5, 2018. In July 2018, the Company entered into a common stock financing with Star Thrive Global, for a private placement totaling $23.0 million (with an option to acquire up to 19.9% of the Company), and such installments to be paid in six monthly installments beginning in July 2018. The Company has received all monthly installments due from Star Thrive Global that were due through October, 2018, and expects to receive the remaining installments that are due through December 2018. Although the Company may attempt to raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner.

 

  42  

 

 

The following table provides a summary of our net cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities.

 

    Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2018     2017  
Net cash used in operating activities   $ (17,641,902 )   $ (6,187,745 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities     (5,043,300 )     2,118,176  
Net cash provided by financing activities     31,186,771       1,925,610  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     (48,638 )     62,078  
Net increase/(decrease in cash     8,452,931       (2,081,881 )
                 
Cash at beginning of period     7,577,317       3,761,814  
                 
Cash at end of period   $ 16,030,248     $ 1,679,933  

 

Operating Activities

 

Cash used in operating activities increased by $11.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2017, primarily due to an loss from operation from $5.3 million to $19.9 million.

 

Financing Activities

 

We received $31.1 million proceeds in a private placement from the issuance of common shares, warrant and options for nine months ended September 30, 2018, to certain investors, including officers, directors and other affiliates. While in the same period in 2017, we received $2.6 million proceeds in private replacement.

 

Investing Activities

 

We used $2.8 million to acuquire Grapevine and Shanghai Guangming and $2.0 million to invest in Liberty and Asia Times for nine months ended September 30, 2018. While in the same period in 2017, we received $2.5 million proceeds from the disposal of Zhong Hai Shi Xun.

 

Effects of Inflation

 

Inflation and changing prices have had an effect on our business and we expect that inflation or changing prices could materially affect our business in the foreseeable future. Our management will closely monitor the price change and make efforts to maintain effective cost control in operations.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any off balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity or capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to an investor in our securities.

 

Seasonality

 

Our operating results and operating cash flows historically have not been subject to seasonal variations. However, we expect a disproportionate amount of our revenues generated from Wecast Services quarter over quarter to be subject to seasoned fluctuations at holiday periods and due to introduction of new products. This pattern may change, however, as a result of new market opportunities or new product introductions.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires our management to make assumptions, estimates, and judgments that affect the amounts reported, including the notes thereto, and related disclosures of commitments and contingencies, if any. We have identified certain accounting policies that are significant to the preparation of our financial statements. These accounting policies are important for an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations. Critical accounting policies are those that are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management’s difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. Certain accounting estimates are particularly sensitive because of their significance to financial statements and because of the possibility that future events affecting the estimate may differ significantly from management’s current judgments. We believe the following critical accounting policies involve the most significant estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our financial statements.

 

  43  

 

 

Variable Interest Entities

 

We account for entities qualifying as variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Boards (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810, Consolidation . For our consolidated VIEs, management has made evaluations of the relationships between our VIEs and the economic benefit flow of contractual arrangement with VIEs. In connection with such evaluation, management also took into account the fact that, as a result of such contractual arrangements, we control the legal shareholders’ voting interests and have power of attorney in the VIEs, and therefore we are able to direct all business activities of the VIEs. As a result of such evaluation, management concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of our consolidated VIEs.

 

We have consulted our PRC legal counsel in assessing our ability to control our PRC VIEs. Any changes in PRC laws and regulations that affect our ability to control our PRC VIEs may preclude us from consolidating these companies in the future.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

In the first quarter of 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), using the modified retrospective method. Topic 606 requires revenue to be recognized when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Because the Company's primary source of revenues is from industrial trading business, the impact on its consolidated financial statements is not material.

 

Product sales, including electronic products and crude oil sales are recognized when or as we transfer control of the promised products to our customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. Sales orders are confirmed after negotiation on price between customers and us. Purchase orders are confirmed after careful selection of suppliers and negotiation on price. Company purchases finished goods from suppliers in accordance with sales orders from customers. Our suppliers then deliver goods to our customers directly. Company is required to bear the direct risk of damage to the goods that the direct default risk that cannot be delivered to the customer. When the delivery is completed, company recognizes revenue and the related cost at the same time. According to purchase orders with suppliers, company, as the owner of the goods, becomes the first responsible party for the goods. Therefore, the Company accounts for revenue from sales of goods on a gross basis. The Company is the primary obligor in the arrangements, as company has the ability to establish prices, and has discretion in selecting the independent suppliers and other third-party that will perform the delivery service, the Company is responsible for the defective products and the Company bears credit risk with customer payments. Accordingly, all such revenue billed to customers is classified as revenue and all corresponding payments to suppliers are classified as cost of revenues.

 

For certain contracts that involve sub-licensing content within the specified license period, revenue is recognized upon delivery of films when the arrangement includes a nonrefundable minimum guarantee, delivery is complete and we have no substantive future obligations to provide future additional services. Payments received from customers for the performance of future services are recognized as deferred revenue, and subsequently recognized as revenue in the period that the service obligations are completed.

 

In October, 2016, the Company signed an agreement to form a five years’ partnership with Yanhua, where Yanhua will act as the exclusive distribution operator (within the territory of PRC) of the Company’s licensed library of major studio films. Pursuant to the Yanhua agreement, the existing legacy Hollywood studio paid content as well as other IP content specified in the agreement, along with the corresponding authorized rights letter that the Company is entitled to, will be transferred over to Yanhua, which was agreed to be priced at RMB13,000,000 (approximately $2 million). According to the agreement, as a whole package, the payment is agreed to be paid in two installments equally in the amount of RMB6,500,000. As of the March 31, 2018, the Company only received the first installments and recorded it as revenue within Legacy YOD business, however, considering the second installment was due to be received if the license content fees due to studios for the existing legacy Hollywood paid contents was settled, while the Company did not expect and did not make the payment to the studios, we deemed this portion of the fee to be not fixed or determinable and therefore, this portion of the revenue did not meet the revenue recognition criteria to be recognized as of September 30, 2018. Meanwhile, as revenue generated by Yanhua did not exceed the revenue sharing threshold, no additional revenue was recorded.

 

Licensed Content

 

We obtain content through content licensing agreements with studios and distributors. We recognize licensed content when the license fee and the specified content titles are known or reasonably determinable. Prepaid license fees are classified as an asset on the consolidated balance sheets as licensed content and accrued license content fees payable are classified as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

 

  44  

 

 

We amortize licensed content in cost of revenues over the contents contractual window of availability based on the expected revenue derived from the licensed content, beginning with the month of first availability, such that our revenues bear a representative amount of the cost of the licensed content. We review factors that impact the amortization of licensed content on a regular basis, including factors that may bear direct impact on expected revenue from specific content titles. We estimate expected revenue by reviewing relevant factors, including marketing considerations, programming efforts, relationship with our channel partners, expected customer renewals and content offered by other distributors on the same platform. Changes in our expected revenue from licensed content could have a significant impact on our amortization pattern.

 

Standards Issued and Not Yet Implemented

 

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The standard will require lessees to report most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, while lessor accounting will remain substantially unchanged. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases, whereby the new rules will be applied to the earliest year presented. We do not expect the new lease standard to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)”. The pronouncement changes the impairment model for most financial assets, and will require the use of an “expected loss” model for instruments measured at amortized cost. Under this model, entities will be required to estimate the lifetime expected credit loss on such instruments and record an allowance to offset the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, resulting in a net presentation of the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. This pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect a material impact to its consolidated financial statement upon adoption of this ASU.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are a smaller reporting company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that are designed to ensure that information that would be required to be disclosed in Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer , as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2018. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of September 30, 2018, and as of the date that the evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures was completed, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to satisfy the objectives for which they are intended, as a result of one material weakness described below.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

On April 6, 2018, Mr. Simon Wang resigned from his position as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company. On April 11, 2018, the Board unanimously appointed its previous Finance Director, Mr. Jason Wu, as the interim CFO and principal accounting officer of the Company, effective immediately. On June 1, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Federico Tovar as CFO of the Company. In 2016, a material weakness in financial reporting was identified related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in the accounting for licensed content recoverability. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to management’s review of the data inputs and assumptions used in its cash flow forecasts for licensed content recoverability. Management believes that this material weakness still exists as of the issuance of this quarterly report, even though we may no longer operate any license content business in the future.

 

Other than the changes stated above, there have been no other significant changes in internal control for the three months ended September 30, 2018, which have materially affected or would likely materially affect our internal control over financial reporting. The Company continues to invest resources in order to review, refine and upgrade internal controls.

 

  45  

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our property is subject. To the best of our knowledge, no such actions against us are contemplated or threatened.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

 

Substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We have incurred significant losses and have relied on debt and equity financings to fund our operations. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had accumulated deficit of $145.9 million, with liabilities of $123.1 million and cash on hand of $15.7 million. Based on this cash on hand and our expectation to continue to incur significant operating losses, we do not have the capital to finance operations for the next twelve months.

 

These conditions raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern and, accordingly, do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. There is no assurance that we will be successful in transforming our business model or that we will be able to generate sufficient cash from operations, create and sell digital assets or borrow funds on favorable terms or at all. If we are in fact unable to continue as a going concern, our shareholders may lose their entire investment in our Company.

 

We expect to require additional financing in the future to meet our business requirements. Such capital raising may be costly, difficult or not possible to obtain and, if obtained, could significantly dilute current stockholders’ equity interests

 

The Company must continue to rely on proceeds from debt and equity issuances to pay for ongoing operating expenses and repay existing debt in order to execute its business plan. Although the Company may attempt to raise funds by issuing debt or equity instruments, additional financing may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to the Company or at all or such resources may not be received in a timely manner. If the Company is unable to raise additional capital when required or on acceptable terms, the Company may be required to scale back or to discontinue certain operations, scale back or discontinue the development of new business lines, reduce headcount, sell assets, file for bankruptcy, reorganize, merge with another entity, or cease operations.

 

We are in the process of transforming our business model, such that there is only a limited basis to evaluate our business and prospects. This transformation may continue to evolve, and ultimately may not be successful.

 

We are in the process of transforming our business model to become a next generation fintech company enabled by AI and blockchain technologies. In connection with this transformation, we are in the process of considerable changes, including initiatives to assemble a new management team, reconfigure the business structure and expand our mission and business lines. It is uncertain whether these efforts will prove beneficial or whether we will be able to develop the necessary business models, infrastructure and systems to support the business. This includes having or hiring the right talent to execute our business strategy, and building a team with the technological capability and know-how to build the products and provide the services we envision. Market acceptance of new product and service offerings will be dependent in part on our ability to include functionality and usability that address customer requirements, and optimally price our products and services to meet customer demand and cover our costs.

 

Although we have been operating our Legacy YOD business for several years, because our new Wecast Services business has only been developed since 2017, there is only a limited basis upon which to evaluate our business and prospects. Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to implement our business plans and complete the transformation we envision. An investor in our stock should consider the challenges, expenses, and difficulties we will face as a company seeking to provide new types of fintech solutions in a competitive market. For example, we have not generated and may never generate revenue from any AI or blockchain enabled products or services. Any failure to implement our business plans in accordance with our expectations may have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

 

Further, as digital assets and blockchain technologies become more widely available, we expect the services and products associated with them to evolve. Government regulation may cause us to potentially change our future business in order to comply fully with the federal securities and other laws as well as applicable state securities laws. As a result, to stay current with the industry, our business model may need to continue to evolve as well. From time to time, we may modify aspects four business model relating to our products and services. We cannot offer any assurance that these or any other modifications will be successful or will not have an adverse effect to our business.

 

  46  

 

 

Even if we implement our plan in accordance with our expectations, our assumptions regarding costs and growth of revenue may differ substantially from reality. Furthermore, even if the anticipated benefits and savings are realized in part, there may be consequences, internal control issues, or business impacts that were not expected. Additionally, as a result of our restructuring efforts in connection with our business transformation plan, we may experience a loss of continuity, loss of accumulated knowledge or loss of efficiency during transitional periods. Reorganization and restructuring can require a significant amount of management and other employees’ time and focus, which may divert attention from operating activities and growing our business. If we fail to achieve some or all of the expected benefits of these activities, it could have a material adverse effect on our competitive position, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

Our operating results are likely to fluctuate significantly and may differ from market expectations.

 

Our annual and quarterly operating results have varied significantly in the past, and may vary significantly in the future, due to a number of factors which could have an adverse impact on our business. Our revenue may fluctuate as we expect a disproportionate amount of our revenues generated from our Wecast Services segment quarter over quarter due to the customers’ seasonal demand, as normally holiday demand for consumer electronics would increase our revenue. Furthermore, as the launch dates of our new products may not be the same as what we have planned, we expect the financial performance might fluctuate significantly depending on timing, quantity and outcome of such product launches.

 

The transformation of our business will put added pressure on our management and operational infrastructure, impeding our ability to meet any potential increased demand for our services and possibly hurting our future operating results.

 

Our business plan is to significantly grow our operations to meet anticipated growth in demand for the services that we offer, and by the introduction of new goods or services. Growth in our businesses will place a significant strain on our personnel, management, financial systems and other resources. The evolution of our business also presents numerous risks and challenges, including:

 

· our ability to successfully and rapidly expand sales to potential new distributors in response to potentially increasing demand;

 

· the costs associated with such growth, which are difficult to quantify, but could be significant; and

 

· rapid technological change.

 

To accommodate any such growth and compete effectively, we will need to obtain additional funding to improve information systems, procedures and controls and expand, train, motivate and manage our employees, and such funding may not be available in sufficient quantities, if at all. If we are not able to manage these activities and implement these strategies successfully to expand to meet any increased demand, our operating results could suffer.

 

The success of our business is dependent on our ability to retain our existing key employees and to add and retain senior officers to our management.

 

We depend on the services of our key employees. Our success will largely depend on our ability to retain these key employees and to attract and retain qualified senior and middle level managers to our management team. In addition, in connection with our transition to a new AI & blockchain-enabled fintech business model, we have recruited certain members of management and employees with extensive knowledge of the blockchain market or technology, and the loss of their expertise could diminish our business.

 

We have recruited executives and management both in U.S. and China to assist in our ability to manage the business and to recruit and oversee employees. While we believe we offer compensation packages that are consistent with market practice, we cannot be certain that we will be able to hire and retain sufficient personnel to support our business. In addition, severe capital constraints have limited our ability to attract specialized personnel. Moreover, our budget limitations will restrict our ability to hire qualified personnel. The loss of any of our key employees, or failure to find a suitable successor, would significantly harm our business. Our future success will also depend on our ability to identify, hire, develop and retain skilled key employees. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our employees. Future sales or acquisitions by us may also cause uncertainty among our current employees and employees of an acquired entity, which could lead to the departure of key employees. Such departures could have an adverse impact on our business and the anticipated benefits of a sale or acquisition.

 

Changes in our management team may adversely affect our operations.

 

Over the last several months, we have experienced turnover or changes in our senior management. On April 6, 2018, our CFO, Mr. Simon Wu announced his resignation as the CFO of the Company. On April 11, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Jason Wu to serve as interim CFO. Effective June 1, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Federico Tovar as our new CFO. On September 10, 2018, the Board appointed Mr. Brett McGonegal as Co-CEO of the Company, Mr. Evangelos Kalimtgis as Chief Investment Officer and Mr. Uwe Henke Von Parpart as Chief Strategist of the Company.

 

  47  

 

 

While we expect to engage in an orderly transition process as we integrate newly appointed officers and managers, we face a variety of risks and uncertainties relating to management transition, including diversion of management attention from business concerns, failure to retain other key personnel or loss of institutional knowledge. These risks and uncertainties could result in operational and administrative inefficiencies and added costs, which could adversely impact our results of operations, stock price and research and development of our products.

 

The Company experiences significant competitive pressure, which may negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

The markets for the Company’s products and services is very competitive and subject to rapid technological advances, new market entrants, non-traditional competitors, changes in industry standards and changes in customer needs and consumption models. Our company aims to build operative blockchain platforms enhanced by AI technologies. Not only does the Company compete with global distributors, it also competes for customers with regional distributors and some of the Company’s own suppliers that maintain direct sales efforts. Our competitors may introduce new platforms and solutions that are superior to ours. Certain competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to new technologies or may be able to devote greater resources to the development, marketing and sale of their products than we can. In addition, as the Company expands its offerings and geographic presence, the Company may encounter increased competition from current or new competitors. The Company’s failure to maintain and enhance its competitive position could adversely affect its business and prospects. Furthermore, the Company’s efforts to compete in the marketplace could cause deterioration of gross profit margins and, thus, overall profitability.

 

The size of the Company’s competitors varies across market sectors, as do the resources the Company has allocated to the sectors and geographic areas in which it does business. Therefore, many competitors will have greater resources or a more extensive customer or supplier base than the Company has in one or more of its market sectors and geographic areas, which may result in the Company not being able to effectively compete in certain markets which could impact the Company’s profitability and prospects.

 

Our international operations expose us to a number of risks.

 

Our international activities are significant to our revenues and profits, and we plan to further expand internationally. In certain international market segments, we have relatively little operating experience and may not benefit from any first-to-market advantages or otherwise succeed. It is costly to establish, develop, and maintain international operations and platforms, and promote our brand internationally.

 

Our international sales and operations are subject to a number of risks, including:

 

· local economic and political conditions;

 

· government regulation of e-commerce and other services, electronic devices, and competition, and restrictive governmental actions (such as trade protection measures, including export duties and quotas and custom duties and tariffs), nationalization, and restrictions on foreign ownership;

 

· restrictions on sales or distribution of certain products or services and uncertainty regarding liability for products, services, and content, including uncertainty as a result of less Internet-friendly legal systems, local laws, lack of legal precedent, and varying rules, regulations, and practices regarding the physical and digital distribution of media products and enforcement of intellectual property rights;

 

· limitations on the repatriation and investment of funds and foreign currency exchange restrictions;

 

· limited technology infrastructure;

 

· shorter payable and longer receivable cycles and the resultant negative impact on cash flow;

 

· laws and regulations regarding consumer and data protection, privacy, network security, encryption, payments, and restrictions on pricing or discounts;

 

· geopolitical events, including war and terrorism.

 

We may face challenges in expanding our international and cross-border businesses and operations.

 

As we expand our international and cross-border businesses into an increasing number of international markets, we will face risks associated with expanding into markets in which we have limited or no experience and in which we may be less well-known. We may be unable to attract a sufficient number of customers and other participants, fail to anticipate competitive conditions or face difficulties in operating effectively in these new markets. The expansion of our international and cross-border businesses will also expose us to risks inherent in operating businesses globally, including:

 

· inability to recruit international and local talent and challenges in replicating or adapting our company policies and procedures to operating environments different than that of China;

 

  48  

 

 

· lack of acceptance of our product and service offerings;

 

· challenges and increased expenses associated with staffing and managing international and cross-border operations and managing an organization spread over multiple jurisdictions;
· trade barriers, such as import and export restrictions, customs duties and other taxes, competition law regimes and other trade restrictions, as well as other protectionist policies;

 

· differing and potentially adverse tax consequences;

 

· increased and conflicting regulatory compliance requirements;

 

· challenges caused by distance, language and cultural differences;

 

· increased costs to protect the security and stability of our information technology systems, intellectual property and personal data, including compliance costs related to data localization laws;

 

· availability and reliability of international and cross-border payment systems and logistics infrastructure;

 

· exchange rate fluctuations; and

 

· political instability and general economic or political conditions in particular countries or regions.

 

As we expand further into new regions and markets, these risks could intensify, and efforts we make to expand our international and cross-border businesses and operations may not be successful. Failure to expand our international and cross-border businesses and operations could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Transactions conducted through our international and cross-border platforms may be subject to different customs, taxes and rules and regulations, and we may be adversely affected by the complexity of and developments in customs and import/export laws, rules and regulations in the PRC and other jurisdictions. For example, effective as of April 8, 2016, the Notice on Tax Policies of Cross-Border E-Commerce Retail Importation, or the New Cross-Border E-commerce Tax Notice, replaced the previous system for taxing consumer goods imported into the PRC and introduced a 17% value-added tax, or VAT, on most products sold through e-commerce platforms and consumption tax on high-end cosmetics.

 

Changes to trade policies, treaties and tariffs in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or the perception that these changes could occur, could adversely affect our international and cross-border operations, our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has advocated greater restrictions on trade generally and significant increases on tariffs on goods imported into the United States, particularly from China.

 

We may also have operations in various markets with volatile economic or political environments and may pursue growth opportunities in a number of newly developed and emerging markets. These investments may expose us to heightened risks of economic, geopolitical, or other events, including governmental takeover (i.e., nationalization) of our manufacturing facilities or intellectual property, restrictive exchange or import controls, disruption of operations as a result of systemic political or economic instability, outbreak of war or expansion of hostilities, and acts of terrorism, each of which could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the U.S. government, other governments, and international organizations could impose additional sanctions that could restrict us from doing business directly or indirectly in or with certain countries or parties, which could include affiliates.

 

As we acquire, dispose of or restructure our businesses, product lines, and technologies, we may encounter unforeseen costs and difficulties that could impair our financial performance

 

An important element of our management strategy is to review acquisition prospects that would complement our existing products, augment our market coverage and distribution ability, or enhance our capabilities. As a result, we may seek to make acquisitions of companies, products, or technologies, or we may reduce or dispose of certain product lines or technologies that no longer fit our business strategies. For regulatory or other reasons, we may not be successful in our attempts to acquire or dispose of businesses, products, or technologies, resulting in significant financial costs, reduced or lost opportunities, and diversion of management’s attention. Managing an acquired business, disposing of product technologies, or reducing personnel entails numerous operational and financial risks, including, among other things, (i) difficulties in assimilating acquired operations and new personnel or separating existing business or product groups, (ii) diversion of management’s attention away from other business concerns, (iii) amortization of acquired intangible assets, (iv) adverse customer reaction to our decision to cease support for a product, and (v) potential loss of key employees or customers of acquired or disposed operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to achieve and manage successfully any such integration of potential acquisitions, disposition of product lines or technologies, or reduction in personnel or that our management, personnel, or systems will be adequate to support continued operations. Any such inabilities or inadequacies could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition, and/or cash flows.

 

  49  

 

 

In addition, any acquisition could result in changes, such as potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities, the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities, the amortization of related intangible assets, and goodwill impairment charges, any of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and/or the price of our common stock.

 

We derived a substantial portion of our revenue from several major customers. If we lose any of these customers, or if the volume of business with these distribution partners decline, our revenues may be significantly affected.

 

We have agreements with only one distribution partner to operate all our legacy YOD business, and during the nine months ended September 30, 2018, one customers individually accounted for more than 10% of third party revenue in our Wecast Service segment. Due to our reliance on those customers, any of the following events may cause a material decline in our revenue and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations:

 

· reductions, delays or cessation of purchases from one or more significant customer;

 

· loss of one or more significant customer and our inability to find new customers that can generate the same volume of business; and

 

· failure of any customer to make timely payment of our products and services.

 

We cannot be certain whether these relationships will continue to develop or if these significant customers will continue to generate significant revenue for us in the future.

 

Intellectual property litigation could cause us to spend substantial resources and could distract our personnel from their normal responsibilities.

 

Even if resolved in our favor, litigation or other legal proceedings relating to intellectual property claims may cause us to incur significant expenses, and could distract our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. In addition, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Such litigation or proceedings could substantially increase our operating losses and reduce the resources available for development, sales, marketing or distribution activities. We may not have sufficient financial or other resources to adequately conduct such litigation or proceedings. Some of our competitors may be able to sustain the costs of such litigation or proceedings more effectively than we can because of their greater financial resources. Uncertainties resulting from the initiation and continuation of intellectual property litigation or other proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our ability to compete in the marketplace.

 

If we fail to develop and maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results or prevent fraud may be adversely affected, and investor confidence and market price of our shares may be adversely impacted.

 

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX 404”), the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal controls over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-Q. Under current law, we became subject to these requirements beginning with our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. Our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures have been ineffective, and failure to improve them could lead to future errors in our financial statements that could require a restatement or untimely filings, which could cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, and a decline in our stock price.

 

In 2016, a material weakness was identified in the internal control of financial reporting related to the design, documentation and implementation of effective internal controls over the review of the cash flow forecasts used in the accounting for licensed content recoverability. Specifically, the Company did not design and maintain effective internal controls related to management’s review of the data inputs and assumptions used in its cash flow forecasts for licensed content recoverability. License content forecasts are highly subjective, even though we no longer operate any license content business in 2017 and onwards, management believes that this material weakness still exists.

 

Management used the framework set forth in the report entitled Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. As of December 31, 2017, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting is ineffective based on this assessment. See “Item 4. Controls and Procedures.”

 

If we fail to develop and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, our management may not be able to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting at a reasonable assurance level. This could in turn result in the loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements and negatively impact the trading price of our shares.

 

  50  

 

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR WECAST SEGMENT

 

There can be no assurance that we will ever develop, issue or support the trading of securitized digital assets, or that we or our partners will build blockchain-based trading and logistics management platforms, or that any such products will be well received.

 

We intend to securitize assets that may be owned by third parties or owned by our Company, to encode such securitized assets as digital tokens using blockchain technology, and to support the issuance and trading of such securitized digital assets. As part of our larger blockchain strategy, we also intend to enter into joint ventures, strategic investments and partnerships to explore the application of blockchain technologies to logistics management. There can be no assurance that we will ever develop, issue or support the trading of any securitized digital assets, whatsoever, or that we will ever develop a blockchain or AI enabled logistics management platform. Should we fail to do so, our financial position may be adversely affected.

 

Even if we do succeed in developing digital securitized assets, there can be no assurance that investors will be interested in purchasing such digital securitized assets, or that a robust ecosystem for their trading on our platforms will develop. For example, established financial institutions may refuse to process the digital assets for these transactions, process wire transfers, or maintain accounts for entities transacting in our digital assets. Conversely, a significate portion of demand for any digital securitized assets we develop may be generated by speculators and investors seeking to profit from the short- or long-term holding of our digital assets. Price volatility undermines the exchange of these digital assets and the liquidity of the digital assets we original may always be low, further fueling price volatility. Increased volatility may lead to a reduction in the value of the digital securitized assets we develop, which could adversely impact the value of any digital securitized assets we originate based on our own assets, and which could reduce demands for our digital financial services by reducing interest in using digital assets as a mean of creating liquidity from others’ owned assets.

 

In addition, the blockchain-enabled platforms and software upon which our products and services will be based, are in their early stages. Despite the efforts of our strategic partners and joint ventures to develop and complete the launch of, and subsequently to maintain, blockchain platforms for digital token trading and logistics management, it is possible that they will experience malfunctions or otherwise fail to be adequately secured and maintained. We may not have or may not be able to obtain the technical skills, expertise, or regulatory approvals needed to successfully develop blockchain platforms and products, including digital assets, and progress them to a successful launch. In addition, there are significant legal and regulatory considerations that will need to be addressed in order to develop and maintain a blockchain, and addressing such considerations will require significant time and resources. There can be no assurance that we will be able to develop the blockchain platform in such a way that achieves all of the features we anticipate that it will provide, or that the features provided will be sufficient to attract a significant number of users such that the blockchain platform will be widely adopted.

 

Blockchain technology and tokenized assets are subject to a number of inherent risks that may impact our ability to provide the services we are developing and adversely affect an investment in us.

 

Blockchain technology and tokenized assets are subject to a number of inherent risks, including reliability risks, security risks, and risks associated with human error, that may impact our ability to provide the services we are developing. For example, a blockchain platform’s functionality depends on the Internet, and a significant disruption in Internet connectivity could disrupt a platform’s operations until the disruption is resolved; such disruption may have an adverse effect on the value of the digital assets traded on a platform. In addition, a hacking or service attack on a platform may cause temporary delays in block creation on the blockchain and in the transfer of digital assets recorded on the chain. Any disruptions, attacks or other security breaches, or the perception that our blockchain technology is unreliable for any reason, may have a material adverse effect on the value of the digital assets, investment in the digital assets and the operations and success of our business operations and financial results.

 

In addition, tokenized digital assets based on blockchain technology can only be transferred with the private key associated with a platform’s address in which the digital assets are held. We intend to safeguard and securely store the private keys associated with a platform’s addresses by engaging a custodian. To the extent a private key is lost, destroyed, or otherwise compromised and no backup of the private key is accessible, the custodian will be unable to transfer the digital assets held in a platform’s addresses associated with that private key. Consequently, the digital assets associated with such address will effectively be lost, which would adversely affect an investment in digital assets.

 

We and our digital asset customers may be subject to the risks encountered by the digital asset exchanges we partner with, including a malicious hacking, sale of a digital asset exchange, loss of the digital assets by the exchange, and other risks. Many digital asset exchanges do not provide insurance and may lack the resources to protect against hacking and theft. If a material amount of our digital assets or the digital assets of our customers are held by exchanges, we and our customers may be materially and adversely affected if an exchange suffers a cyberattack or incurs financial problems

 

  51  

 

 

Further, the recording of digital asset transactions are not, from an administrative perspective, reversible without the consent and active participation of the recipient of the transaction or, in theory, control or consent of a majority of the processing power on a certain blockchain platform. Once a transaction has been verified and recorded in a block that is added to the blockchain, an incorrect transfer of digital assets or a theft of such digital assets generally will not be reversible. We, our customers and our partners may not be capable of seeking compensation for any such transfer or theft. It is possible that, through computer or human error, or through theft or criminal action, digital assets could be transferred in incorrect amounts or to unauthorized third parties. To the extent that we, our customers or our partners are unable to seek a corrective transaction with such third party or are incapable of identifying the third party that has received the digital assets through error or theft, we, our customers or our partners will be unable to revert or otherwise recover incorrectly transferred digital assets. To the extent that we, our customers and our partners are unable to seek redress for such error or theft, such loss could adversely affect our reputation and our business.

 

The growth of the blockchain industry in general, as well as the blockchain networks, is subject to a high degree of uncertainty.

 

The factors affecting the further development of the digital asset industries, as well as blockchain networks, include uncertainty regarding:

 

· worldwide growth in the adoption and use of digital assets, and other blockchain technologies;

 

· government and quasi-government regulation of digital assets and other blockchain assets and their use, or restrictions on or regulation of access to and operation of blockchain networks or similar systems;

 

· the maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of the blockchain networks;

 

· changes in consumer demographics and public tastes and preferences;

 

· the availability and popularity of other forms or methods of buying and selling goods and services, or trading assets including new means of using traditional currencies or existing networks;

 

· general economic conditions and the regulatory environment relating to digital assets; and

 

· The popularity or acceptance of blockchain-enabled tokens.

 

The digital assets industries as a whole have been characterized by rapid changes and innovations and are continually evolving. Although blockchain networks and blockchain assets have experienced significant growth in recent years, the slowing or stopping of the development, general acceptance and adoption and usage of these networks and assets may materially adversely affect our business plans and results of operations.

 

We currently have limited intellectual property rights related to our new Wecast Services business, and primarily rely on third parties through joint ventures to conduct research and development activities and protect proprietary information.

 

Although we believe our success will depend in part on our ability to acquire, invest in or develop proprietary technology to effectively compete with our competitors, we currently have, and for the forseable future will have, limited direct intellectual property rights related to our new Wecast Services business. The intellectual property relevant to the products and services we plan to provide are held primarily by joint ventures and our strategic partners. Accordingly, we will rely on these third parties for research and development activities, which poses significant risks. For example, we will have limited control over the research and development activities of the business of our joint ventures, and may require licenses from these third parties if we wish to develop products directly. If our joint venture businesses are unable to effectively maintain a competitive edge relative to the market with its technologies and intellectual property, it may adversely affect our business and financial position.

 

Our reliance on third parties also presents are risks related to ownership, use and protection of proprietary information. We are required to rely on the terms of the joint venture and partnership agreements to protect our interests, as well as our joint ventures’ and partners trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements, and invention assignment agreements to protect confidential and proprietary information. If the intellectual property and other confidential information of our joint ventures and strategic partners are not adequately protected, competitors may be able to use their proprietary technologies and information and thereby erode any competitive advantages that intellectual property provide us.

  

  52  

 

 

Domestic and international regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies, digital assets, distribution and utilization of digital assets is uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the development and the value of certain digital assets.

 

Blockchain and distributed ledger platforms are recent technological innovations, and the regulatory schemes to which digital assets may be subject have not been fully explored or developed. Regulation of digital assets varies from country to country as well as within countries. In some cases, existing laws have been interpreted to apply to blockchain-based technologies and digital assets, and in other cases, jurisdictions have adopted laws, regulations or directives that specifically affect digital assets, and some jurisdictions have not taken any regulatory stance on digital assets and or have explicitly declined to apply regulation. Accordingly, there is no clear regulatory framework applicable to blockchain platforms or digital asset products, and laws that do apply at times may overlap or change. Regulation in these areas is likely to rapidly evolve as government agencies take regulatory action to monitor companies and their activities with respect to these areas.

 

Various legislative and executive bodies in the United States and in other countries may in the future adopt laws, regulations, or guidance, or take other actions, which may severely impact the operability of blockchain platforms and the permissibility of digital assets generally, the technology behind the assets, or the means of transacting or in transferring such assets. Failure by us to comply with any laws, rules and regulations, some of which may not yet exist or are subject to interpretation and may be subject to change, could result in a variety of adverse consequences, including civil penalties and fines.

 

Digital assets are novel and the application of U.S. federal and state securities laws is unclear in many respects. Digital assets are not traditional investment securities and issues that might be resolved with traditional securities may not be resolved with digital assets if the offer or sale of such digital assets is not made in full compliance with applicable registration exemptions or the federal securities laws, the token issuer may be in violation of such laws. It is possible that regulators may interpret laws in a manner that adversely affects a digital asset’s value.

 

Blockchain-enabled networks and distributed ledger technologies also face an uncertain regulatory landscape in many foreign jurisdictions, including China. Various foreign jurisdictions may, in the near future, adopt laws, regulations or directives that may conflict with those of the United States or may directly and negatively impact our business. The effect of any future regulatory change is impossible to predict, but such change could be substantial and materially adverse to our business.

 

The further development and acceptance of blockchain platforms, which represent a new and rapidly changing industry, are subject to a variety of factors that are difficult to evaluate. The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain platforms and blockchain assets would have a material adverse effect on our business plans and could have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Regulatory authorities may never permit a trading system or ATS on which digital assets could trade to become operational.

 

In order for a securities exchange to allow U.S. investors to participate on its platform, it must register as a broker-dealer with the SEC, become a member of FINRA, file a Form ATS with the SEC and comply with Regulation ATS. DBOT, one of our joint venture investments, has filed an initial operations report on Form ATS to give notice of operations of DBOT ATS, LLC. The Company’s investment in DBOT’s ATS is not approved by the SEC or FINRA. If FINRA, the SEC or any other regulatory authority objected to such system, such regulatory authorities could prevent the system from ever becoming operational.

 

If the digital assets we develop are considered to be derivatives or commodities, we may be subject to the provisions of the Commodities Exchange Act and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations.

 

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) has defined “virtual currencies” as a digital representation of value that functions as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and/or a store of value, but does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction. The CFTC has considered digital assets as commodities or derivatives, depending on the facts of the offering. If we facilitate borrowing transactions that permit the trading of the securitized digital assets we develop on a “leveraged, margined or financed basis,” we must comply with the provisions of the Commodities Exchange Act and CFTC regulations. Any regulatory issues encountered with respect to compliance with these regulations and laws would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position.

 

Our sales of oil and natural gas may expose us to extensive regulation.

 

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the CFTC and the Federal Trade Commission hold statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical energy commodities markets. The trading of digital assets linked to such energy commodities may be subject to such regulations. To the extent that any digital asset is deemed to fall within the definition of a commodity future, such as those represented by oil or energy assets, pursuant to subsequent rulemaking by the CFTC, the Company and/or the issuer of such digital asset may be required to register and comply with additional regulation under the CEA. Moreover, the Company or issuer may be required to register as a commodity pool operator and register the platform, or such other entity created to hold the digital assets, as a commodity pool with the CFTC through the National Futures Association. Such additional registrations may result in extraordinary expenses of the Company, and adversely impact the value of the common stock.

 

  53  

 

 

If regulatory changes or interpretations of the Company’s activities require the registration as a money service business under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, or licensing as a money transmitter (or equivalent designation) under state law in any state in which the Company operates, compliance with these requirements would result in extraordinary expenses to the Company or the termination of the Company.

 

To the extent that the activities of the Company cause it to be deemed a money service business (“MSB”) under the regulations promulgated by FinCEN under the authority of the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act, the Company may be required to comply with FinCEN regulations, including those that would mandate the Company to implement anti-money laundering programs, make certain reports to FinCEN and maintain certain records.

 

To the extent that the activities of the Company cause it to be deemed a “money transmitter” (or equivalent designation) (“MT”) under state law in any state in which it operates, the Company may be required to seek a license or otherwise register with a state regulator and comply with state regulations that may including the implementation of anti-money laundering programs, maintenance of certain records and other operational requirements.

 

Such additional federal or state regulatory obligations may cause the Company to incur extraordinary expenses, possibly affecting an investment in the common stock in a material and adverse manner. Furthermore, the Company and its service providers may not be capable of complying with certain federal or state regulatory obligations applicable to MSBs and MTs. Such noncompliance or extraordinary expense to comply with regulations may have an adverse effect on the value of the Company’s common stock and affect the financial position of the business.

 

RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA AND TO OUR LEGACY YOD BUSINESS

 

U.S. financial regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including without limitation the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. national securities exchanges, have limited ability, and in fact may have no ability, to conduct investigations within the People’s Republic of China concerning the Company, our PRC-based officers, directors, market research services or other professional services or experts.

 

A substantial part of our assets and our current operations are conducted in the PRC, and some of our officers, directors and other professional service providers are nationals and residents of China. U.S. financial regulatory and law enforcement agencies, including without limitation the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. national securities exchanges, have limited ability, and in fact may have no ability, to conduct investigations within the PRC concerning the Company, and China may have limited or no agreements in place to facilitate cooperation with the SEC’s Division of Enforcement for investigations within its jurisdiction.

 

Adverse changes in political, economic and other policies of the Chinese government could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could materially and adversely affect the growth of our business and our competitive position.

 

Our business operations are conducted in China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The Chinese economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:

 

· the degree of government involvement;
· the level of development;
· the growth rate;
· the control of foreign exchange;
· the allocation of resources;
· an evolving and rapidly changing regulatory system; and
· a lack of sufficient transparency in the regulatory process.

 

While the Chinese economy has experienced significant growth in the past 30 years, growth has been uneven, both geographically and across various sectors of the economy. The Chinese economy has also experienced certain adverse effects due to the global financial crisis. In addition, the growth rate of China’s gross domestic product has slowed in recent years to 6.7% in 2016 and 6.9% in 2017, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. The Chinese government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures benefit the overall Chinese economy, but may also have a negative effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by government control over capital investments, foreign currency exchange restrictions or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us.

 

The Chinese economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented economy. Although in recent years the Chinese government has implemented measures emphasizing the utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the Chinese government. The continued control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the Chinese government could materially and adversely affect our business. The Chinese government also exercises significant control over Chinese economic growth through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to particular industries or companies.

 

  54  

 

 

Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a material adverse effect on overall economic growth, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our businesses.

 

Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could limit the legal protections available to you and to us, which could cause material adverse effects to our business operations.

 

We conduct part of our business through our subsidiaries and VIEs in the PRC. Our subsidiaries and VIEs are generally subject to laws and regulations applicable to foreign investments in China and, in particular, laws applicable to foreign invested entities established in the PRC (“FIEs”). The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, a series of new PRC laws and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investments in China. For example, on January 19, 2015, MOFCOM published a draft of the PRC law on Foreign Investment (Draft for Comment), of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, which was open for public comments until February 17, 2015. At the same time, MOFCOM published an accompanying explanatory note of the Draft Foreign Investment Law, or the Explanatory Note, which contains important information about the Draft Foreign Investment Law, including its drafting philosophy and principles, main content, plans to transition to the new legal regime and treatment of business in China controlled by FIEs, primarily through contractual arrangements such as VIE arrangements. The Draft Foreign Investment Law is intended to replace the current foreign investment legal regime consisting of three laws: the Sino-Foreign Equity Joint Venture Enterprise Law, the Sino-Foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Enterprise Law and the Wholly Foreign-Invested Enterprise Law, as well as detailed implementing rules. The Draft Foreign Investment Law proposes significant changes to the PRC foreign investment legal regime and may have a material impact on Chinese companies listed or to be listed overseas. The proposed Draft Foreign Investment Law is to regulate FIEs the same way as PRC domestic entities, except for those FIEs that operate in industries deemed to be either “restricted” or “prohibited” in a “Negative List.” As the Negative List has yet to be published, it is unclear whether it will differ from the current list of industries subject to restrictions or prohibitions on foreign investment. The Draft Foreign Investment Law also provides that only FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List will require entry clearance and other approvals that are not required of PRC domestic entities. As a result of the entry clearance and approvals, certain FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List may not be able to continue to conduct their operations through contractual arrangements. Moreover, it is uncertain whether business industries in which our VIEs operate will be subject to the foreign investment restrictions or prohibitions set forth in the “negative list” to be issued.

 

The Draft Foreign Investment Law has not taken a position on what actions will be taken with respect to the existing VIE structures, while it is soliciting comments from the public on this point by illustrating several possible options. Under these varied options, a company that has a VIE structure and conducts the business on the “negative list” at the time of enactment of the new Foreign Investment Law has either the option or obligation to disclose its corporate structure to the authorities, while the authorities may either permit the company to continue to maintain the VIE structure (if the company is deemed ultimately controlled by PRC nationals), or require the company to dispose of its businesses and/or VIE structure based on circumstantial considerations. The Draft Foreign Investment Law also provides that only FIEs operating in industries on the Negative List will require entry clearance and other approvals that are not required of PRC domestic entities. As a result of such entry clearance and approvals or certain restructuring of our corporate structure and operations, to be completed by companies with existing VIE structure like us, we face substantial uncertainties as to whether these actions can be timely completed, or at all, and our business and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected.

 

Although the overall effect of legislation over the past three decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system. Recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degree of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies and courts. Since the PRC legal system continues to evolve rapidly, the interpretations of many laws, regulations, and rules are not always uniform, and enforcement of these laws, regulations, and rules involve uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to you and to us. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.

 

In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management’s attention. In addition, some of our executive officers and directors are residents of China and not of the United States, and substantially all the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it could be difficult for investors to affect service of process in the United States or to enforce a judgment obtained in the United States against our Chinese operations and entities.

 

In order to comply with PRC regulatory requirements, we operate our legacy YOD businesses through companies with which we have contractual relationships. By virtue of these contractual relationships, we control the economic interests and have the power to direct the activities of these entities, and are therefore determined to be the primary beneficiary of these entities, but we do not have any equity ownership interest in these entities. If the PRC government determines that our contractual agreements with these entities are not in compliance with applicable regulations, our business in the PRC could be materially adversely affected.

 

We do not have direct or indirect equity ownership of our VIEs, which collectively operate all of our legacy YOD businesses in China, but instead have entered into contractual arrangements with our VIEs and each of its individual legal shareholder(s) pursuant to which we received an economic interest in, and have the power to direct the activities of the VIEs, in a manner substantially similar to a controlling equity interest. Although we believe that our business operations are in compliance with the current laws in China, we cannot be sure that the PRC government would view our operating arrangements to be in compliance with PRC regulations that may be adopted in the future. If we are determined not to be in compliance, the PRC government could levy fines, revoke our business and operating licenses, require us to restrict or discontinue our operations, restrict our right to collect revenues, require us to restructure our business, corporate structure or operations, impose additional conditions or requirements with which we may not be able to comply, impose restrictions on our business operations or on our customers, or take other regulatory or enforcement actions against us that could be harmful to our business. As a result, our legacy YOD business in the PRC could be materially adversely affected.

 

  55  

 

 

We rely on contractual arrangements with our VIEs for our operations, which may not be as effective for providing control over these entities as direct ownership.

 

Our legacy YOD operations and financial results are dependent on our VIEs in which we have no equity ownership interest and must rely on contractual arrangements to control and operate the businesses of our VIEs. These contractual arrangements may not be as effective for providing control over the VIEs as direct ownership. For example, the VIEs may be unwilling or unable to perform its contractual obligations under our commercial agreements. Consequently, we may not be able to conduct our operations in the manner currently planned. In addition, the VIEs may seek to renew their agreements on terms that are disadvantageous to us. Although we have entered into a series of agreements that provide us with the ability to control the VIEs, we may not succeed in enforcing our rights under them insofar as our contractual rights and legal remedies under PRC law are inadequate. In addition, if we are unable to renew these agreements on favorable terms when these agreements expire or to enter into similar agreements with other parties, our legacy YOD business may not be able to operate or expand, and our operating expenses may significantly increase.

 

Our arrangements with our VIEs and its respective shareholders may be subject to a transfer pricing adjustment by the PRC tax authorities which could have an adverse effect on our income and expenses.

 

We could face material and adverse tax consequences if the PRC tax authorities determine that our contracts with our VIEs and their respective shareholders were not entered into based on arm’s length negotiations. Although our contractual arrangements are similar to those of other companies conducting similar operations in China, if the PRC tax authorities determine that these contracts were not entered into on an arm’s length basis, they may adjust our income and expenses for PRC tax purposes in the form of a transfer pricing adjustment. Such an adjustment may require that we pay additional PRC taxes plus applicable penalties and interest, if any.

 

We depend upon contractual arrangements with our VIEs for the success of our legacy YOD business and these arrangements may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct ownership of these businesses and may be difficult to enforce.

 

Our operations are partially conducted in the PRC, where the PRC government restricts or prohibits foreign-owned enterprises from owning certain other operations in the PRC. Accordingly, we depend on our VIEs, in which we have no direct ownership interest, to provide those services through contractual agreements among the parties and to hold some of our assets. These arrangements may not be as effective in providing control over our operations through direct ownership of these businesses. Due to our VIE structure, we have to rely on contractual rights to effect control and management of our VIEs, which exposes us to the risk of potential breach of contract by the VIEs or their shareholders. A failure by our VIEs or their shareholders to perform their obligations under our contractual arrangements with them could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Furthermore, if the shareholders of our VIEs were involved in proceedings that had an adverse impact on their shareholder interests in such VIEs or on our ability to enforce relevant contracts related to the VIE structure, our legacy YOD business would be adversely affected.

 

As all of these contractual arrangements are governed by PRC law and provide for the resolution of disputes through either arbitration or litigation in the PRC, they would be interpreted in accordance with PRC law and any disputes would be resolved in accordance with PRC legal procedures. We would have to rely for enforcement on legal remedies under PRC law, including specific performance, injunctive relief or damages, which might not be effective. As these PRC governmental authorities have wide discretion in granting such approvals, we could fail to obtain such approval. In addition, our VIE contracts might not be enforceable in China if PRC governmental authorities, courts or arbitral tribunals took the view that such contracts contravened PRC law or were otherwise not enforceable for public policy reasons. In the event we were unable to enforce these contractual arrangements, we would not be able to exert effective control over our VIEs, and our ability to conduct our legacy YOD business, and our financial condition and results of operations, would be severely adversely affected.

 

You may have difficulty enforcing judgments against us.

 

Most of our assets are located outside of the United States and a substantial part of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition, some of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A substantial portion of the assets of these persons is located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us and our officers and directors, that are not residents in the United States and the substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the PRC would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts. Recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. Courts in China may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other arrangements that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments with the United States. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security, or the public interest. So it is uncertain whether a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered against us by a court in the United States.

 

  56  

 

 

The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities.

 

The PRC government has exercised and continues to exercise substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through regulation and state ownership. Our ability to operate in China may be harmed by changes in its laws and regulations, including those relating to taxation, import and export tariffs, environmental regulations, land use rights, property, and other matters. We believe that our operations in China are in material compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. However, the central or local governments of the jurisdictions in which we operate may impose new, stricter regulations or interpretations of existing regulations that would require additional expenditures and efforts on our part to ensure our compliance with such regulations or interpretations.

 

Accordingly, government actions in the future, including any decision not to continue to support recent economic reforms and to return to a more centrally planned economy or regional or local variations in the implementation of economic policies, could have a significant effect on economic conditions in China or particular regions thereof and could require us to divest ourselves of any interest we then hold in Chinese properties or joint ventures.

 

Our results could be adversely affected by the trade tensions between the United States and China.

 

With the increasing interconnectedness of global economic and financial systems and our business related to China, trade tensions between the United States and China can have an immediate and material adverse impact on our business. Changes to trade policies, treaties and tariffs in the jurisdictions in which we operate, or the perception that these changes could occur, could adversely affect our international and cross-border operations, our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has advocated greater restrictions on trade generally and significant increases on tariffs on goods imported into the United States, particularly from China. Further, the U.S. or China could impose additional sanctions that could restrict us from doing business directly or indirectly in either country. Such actions could have material adverse impact on our profitability and operations.

 

The enforcement of the PRC labor contract law may materially increase our costs and decrease our net income.

 

China adopted a new Labor Contract Law, effective on January 1, 2008, issued its implementation rules and regulations, effective on September 18, 2008, and amended the Labor Contract Law, effective on July 1, 2013. The Labor Contract Law and related rules and regulations impose more stringent requirements on employers with regard to, among other things, minimum wages, severance payment and non-fixed-term employment contracts, time limits for probation periods, as well as the duration and the times that an employee can be placed on a fixed-term employment contract. Due to the limited period of effectiveness of the Labor Contract Law, its implementation rules and regulations and its amendment, and the lack of clarity with respect to its implementation and the potential penalties and fines, it is uncertain how it will impact our current employment policies and practices. In particular, compliance with the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules and regulations may increase our operating expenses. In the event that we decide to terminate some of our employees or otherwise change our employment or labor practices, the Labor Contract Law and its implementation rules and regulations may also limit our ability to effect those changes in a manner that we believe to be cost-effective or desirable, and could result in a material decrease in our profitability.

 

Future inflation in China may inhibit our ability to conduct business in China.

 

In recent years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid expansion, significant stock market volatility and highly fluctuating rates of inflation. These factors have led to the adoption by the Chinese government, from time to time, of various corrective measures designed to restrict the availability of credit or regulate growth and contain inflation. In 2010 and 2011, for example, the Chinese economy experienced high inflation and to curb the accelerating inflation, the People’s Bank of China (“PBOC”), China central bank, raised benchmark interest rates three times in 2011. High inflation may in the future cause the Chinese government to impose controls on credit and/or prices, or to take other action, which could inhibit economic activity in China, and thereby harm the market for our products and services and our company.

 

  57  

 

 

Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our sales effectively.

 

At present, a substantial part of our sales will be settled in RMB, and any future restrictions on currency exchanges may limit our ability to use revenue generated in RMB to fund any future business activities outside China or to make dividend or other payments in U.S. dollars. Although the Chinese government introduced regulations in 1996 to allow greater convertibility of the RMB for current account transactions, significant restrictions still remain, including primarily the restriction that FIEs may only buy, sell or remit foreign currencies after providing valid commercial documents, at those banks in China authorized to conduct foreign exchange business. In addition, foreign exchange transactions under the capital account remain subject to limitations and require approvals from, or registration with, SAFE and other relevant PRC governmental authorities and companies are required to open and maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for capital account items. This could affect our ability to obtain foreign currency through debt or equity financing for our subsidiaries and the variable interest entities. Recent volatility in the RMB foreign exchange rate as well as capital flight out of China may lead to further foreign exchange restrictions and policies or practices which adversely affect our operations and ability to convert RMB. We cannot be certain that the Chinese regulatory authorities will not impose more stringent restrictions on the convertibility of the RMB.

 

Restrictions under PRC law on our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

 

At present, part of our sales are earned by our PRC operating entities. However, PRC regulations restrict the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to make dividends and other payments to their offshore parent companies. PRC legal restrictions permit payments of dividends by our PRC subsidiaries only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are also required under PRC laws and regulations to allocate at least 10% of their annual after-tax profits determined in accordance with PRC GAAP to a statutory general reserve fund until the amounts in said fund reaches 50% of their registered capital. Allocations to these statutory reserve funds can only be used for specific purposes and are not transferable to us in the form of loans, advances, or cash dividends. Any limitations on the ability of our PRC subsidiaries to transfer funds to us could materially and adversely limit our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could be beneficial to our business, pay dividends and otherwise fund and conduct our business.

 

Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.

 

SAFE has promulgated several regulations, including the Notice Concerning Foreign Exchange Controls on Domestic Residents’ Financing and Roundtrip Investment Through Offshore Special Purpose Vehicles (“Circular 75”), effective on November 1, 2005, and the Circular on Issues Concerning Foreign Exchange Administration Over the Overseas Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment by Domestic Residents Via Special Purpose Vehicles (“Circular 37”), effective on July 4, 2015, which replaced Circular 75. Under Circular 37, PRC residents must register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity for the purpose of holding domestic or offshore assets or interests, referred to as a “special purpose vehicle” in Circular 37. In addition, amendments to the registration must be made in the event of any material change, such as an increase or decrease in share capital contributed by the individual PRC resident shareholder, share transfer or exchange, merger, division or other material event. Failure to comply with the specified registration procedures may result in restrictions being imposed on the foreign exchange activities of the relevant PRC entity, including the payment of dividends and other distributions to its offshore parent, as well as restrictions on capital inflows from the offshore entity to the PRC entity. Further, failure to comply with the SAFE registration requirements may result in penalties under PRC law for evasion of foreign exchange regulations.

 

We have asked our shareholders who are PRC residents as defined in Circular 37 and related rules to register with the relevant branch of SAFE, as currently required, in connection with their equity interests in us and our acquisitions of equity interests in our PRC subsidiaries. However, we cannot provide any assurances that they can obtain the above SAFE registrations required by Circular 37 and related rules. Moreover, because Circular 37 is newly issued, there is uncertainty over how Circular 37 and related rules will be interpreted and implemented and how or whether SAFE will apply it to us, and we cannot predict how it will affect our business operations or future strategies. For example, our present and prospective PRC subsidiaries’ ability to conduct foreign exchange activities, such as the remittance of dividends and foreign currency-denominated borrowings, may be subject to compliance with Circular 37 and related rules by our PRC resident beneficial holders. In addition, such PRC residents may not always be able to complete the necessary registration procedures required by Circular 37 and related rules. We have little control over either our present or prospective direct or indirect shareholders or the outcome of such registration procedures.

 

We may be unable to complete a business combination transaction efficiently or on favorable terms due to complicated merger and acquisition regulations which became effective on September 8, 2006.

 

On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the China Securities Regulatory Commission, promulgated the Regulation on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Companies by Foreign Investors, which became effective on September 8, 2006 and was amended in June 2009. This regulation, among other things, governs the approval process by which a PRC company may participate in an acquisition of assets or equity interests. Depending on the structure of the transaction, the regulation will require the PRC parties to make a series of applications and supplemental applications to the government agencies. In some instances, the application process may require the presentation of economic data concerning a transaction, including appraisals of the target business and evaluations of the acquirer, which are designed to allow the government to assess the transaction. Government approvals will have expiration dates by which a transaction must be completed and reported to the government agencies. Compliance with the regulation is likely to be more time consuming and expensive than in the past and the government can now exert more control over the combination of two businesses. Accordingly, due to the regulation, our ability to engage in business combination transactions has become significantly more complicated, time consuming and expensive, and we may not be able to negotiate a transaction that is acceptable to our shareholders or sufficiently protect their interests in a transaction.

 

  58  

 

 

The regulation allows PRC government agencies to assess the economic terms of a business combination transaction. Parties to a business combination transaction may have to submit to MOFCOM and other relevant government agencies an appraisal report, an evaluation report and the acquisition agreement, all of which form part of the application for approval, depending on the structure of the transaction. The regulation also prohibits a transaction at an acquisition price obviously lower than the appraised value of the PRC business or assets, and in certain transaction structures, may require that consideration be paid within defined periods, generally not in excess of a year. The regulation also limits our ability to negotiate various terms of the acquisition, including aspects of the initial consideration, contingent consideration, holdback provisions, indemnification provisions and provisions relating to the assumption and allocation of assets and liabilities. Transaction structures involving trusts, nominees and similar entities are prohibited. Therefore, such regulation may impede our ability to negotiate and complete a business combination transaction on financial terms that satisfy our investors and protect our shareholders’ economic interests.

 

Our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders may be subject to national security review by MOFCOM, and the failure to receive the national security review could have a material adverse effect on our legacy YOD business and operating results.

 

In August 2011, MOFCOM promulgated the Rules of Ministry of Commerce on Implementation of Security Review System of Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors (the “Security Review Rules”) to implement the Notice of the General Office of the State Council on Establishing the Security Review System for Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors promulgated on February 3, 2011 (“Circular 6”). The Security Review Rules became effective on September 1, 2011. Under the Security Review Rules, a national security review is required for certain mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors raising concerns regarding national defense and security. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirements by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. The application and interpretation of the Security Review Rules remain unclear. Based on our understanding of the Security Review Rules, we do not need to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders to the MOFCOM for national security review because, among other reasons, (i) we gained de facto control over Sinotop Beijing in 2010 prior to the effectiveness of Circular 6 and the Security Review Rules; and (ii) there are currently no explicit provisions or official interpretations indicating that our current businesses fall within the scope of national security review. Although we have no plan to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing and its shareholders to MOFCOM for national security review, the relevant PRC government agencies, such as MOFCOM, may reach a different conclusion. If MOFCOM or another PRC regulatory agency subsequently determines that we need to submit our existing contractual arrangements with Sinotop Beijing, SSF and their respective shareholders for national security review by interpretation, clarification or amendment of the Security Review Rules or by any new rules, regulations or directives promulgated, we may face sanctions by MOFCOM or another PRC regulatory agency. These sanctions may include revoking the business or operating licenses of our PRC entities, discontinuing or restricting our operations in China, confiscating our income or the income of Sinotop Beijing and SSF, and taking other regulatory or enforcement actions, such as levying fines, that could be harmful to our business. Any of these sanctions could cause significant disruption to our legacy YOD business operations.

 

The Security Review Rules may make it more difficult for us to make future acquisitions or dispositions of our business operations or assets in China.

 

The Security Review Rules, effective as of September 1, 2011, provide that when deciding whether a specific merger or acquisition of a domestic enterprise by foreign investors is subject to the national security review by MOFCOM, the principle of substance-over-form should be applied. Foreign investors are prohibited from circumventing the national security review requirement by structuring transactions through proxies, trusts, indirect investments, leases, loans, control through contractual arrangements or offshore transactions. If the business of any target company that we plan to acquire falls within the scope of national security review, we may not be able to successfully acquire such company by equity or asset acquisition, capital increase or even through any contractual arrangement.

 

Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in dividends payable to our foreign investor and gains on sale of our common stock by our foreign investors may become subject to PRC taxation.

 

On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China passed a new Enterprise Income Tax law (the “EIT Law”), and on November 28, 2007, the State Council of China passed its implementing rules, which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.

 

  59  

 

 

On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies (the “Notice”), further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation non-Chinese enterprise or group controlled offshore entities. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate chops, board and shareholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management often reside in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC shareholders that do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC or which have such establishment or place of business but the dividends are not effectively connected with such establishment or place of business, to the extent such dividends are derived from sources within the PRC. Similarly, any gains realized on the transfer of our shares by such investors is also subject to PRC tax at a current rate of 10%, subject to any reduction or exemption set forth in relevant tax treaties, if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. However, it remains unclear as to whether the Notice is applicable to an offshore enterprise incorporated by a Chinese natural person. Detailed measures on the imposition of tax from non-domestically incorporated resident enterprises are not readily available. Therefore, it is unclear how tax authorities will determine tax residency based on the facts of each case.

 

We may be deemed to be a resident enterprise by Chinese tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on financing proceeds and non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC shareholders from transferring our shares.

 

If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the United States and China, and our PRC tax may not be creditable against our U.S. tax.

 

Heightened scrutiny of acquisition transactions by PRC tax authorities may have a negative impact on our business operations or the value of your investment in us.

 

Pursuant to the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises (“SAT Circular 698”), effective on January 1, 2008, and the Announcement on Several Issues Related to Enterprise Income Tax for Indirect Asset Transfer by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises (“SAT Announcement 7”), effective on February 3, 2015, issued by the SAT, if a non-resident enterprise transfers the equity interests of or similar rights or interests in overseas companies which directly or indirectly own PRC taxable assets through an arrangement without a reasonable commercial purpose resulting in the avoidance of PRC corporate income taxes, such a transaction may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of PRC taxable assets subject to PRC corporate income tax. SAT Announcement 7 specifies certain factors that should be considered in determining whether an indirect transfer has a reasonable commercial purpose. However, as SAT Announcement 7 is newly issued, there is uncertainty as to its application and the interpretation of the term “reasonable commercial purpose.” In addition, under SAT Announcement 7, the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration for the transfer to the transferring shareholders has the obligation to withhold any PRC corporate income tax that is due. If the transferring shareholders do not pay corporate income tax that is due for a transfer and the entity which has the obligation to pay the consideration does not withhold the tax due, the PRC tax authorities may impose a penalty on the entity that so fails to withhold, which may be relieved or exempted from the withholding obligation and any resulting penalty under certain circumstances if it reports such transfer to the PRC tax authorities.

 

As SAT Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 are relatively new and there is uncertainty over their application, we and our non-PRC resident investors may be subject to being taxed under Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 and may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7 or to establish that we or our non-PRC resident investors should not be taxed under Circular 698 and SAT Announcement 7, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We may be subject to fines and legal sanctions if we or our employees who are PRC citizens fail to comply with PRC regulations relating to employee share options.

 

Under the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control issued by the PBOC and the related Implementation Rules issued by the SAFE, all foreign exchange transactions involving an employee share incentive plan, share option plan or similar plan participated in by PRC citizens may be conducted only with the approval of the SAFE. Under the Notice of Issues Related to the Foreign Exchange Administration for Domestic Individuals Participating in Stock Incentive Plan of Overseas Listed Company (“Offshore Share Incentives Rule”), issued by the SAFE on February 15, 2012, PRC citizens who are granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares by an overseas publicly listed company are required to register with the SAFE or its authorized branch and comply with a series of other requirements. The Offshore Share Incentives Rule also provides procedures for registration of incentive plans, the opening and use of special accounts for the purpose of participation in incentive plans, and the remittance of funds for exercising options and gains realized from such exercises and sales of such options or the underlying shares, both outside and inside the PRC. We, and any of our PRC employees or members of our Board who have been granted share options, restricted share units or restricted shares, are subject to the Administration Measures on Individual Foreign Exchange Control, the related Implementation Rules, and the Offshore Share Incentives Rule. If we, or any of our PRC employees or members of our Board who receive or hold options, restricted share units or restricted shares in us or any of our subsidiaries, fail to comply with these registration and other procedural requirements, we may be subject to fines and other legal or administrative sanctions.

 

  60  

 

 

We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption laws, and any determination that we violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (“FCPA”) and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations and agreements with third parties, and make most of our sales in China. The PRC also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our Company, which may not always be subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our company may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the U.S. government may seek to hold our Company liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.

 

Our operations in foreign countries are subject to risks that could adversely impact our financial results, such as economic or political volatility, foreign legal and regulatory requirements, international trade factors (export controls, trade sanctions, duties, tariff barriers and other restrictions), protection of our proprietary technology in certain countries, potentially burdensome taxes, crime, employee turnover, staffing, managing personnel in diverse culture, labor instability, transportation delays, and foreign currency fluctuations.

 

If we become directly subject to the recent scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our stock, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.

 

Over the past several years, U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, particularly companies like ours which have completed so-called reverse merger transactions, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity is in connection with financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies are now subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions and are conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. It is not clear what affect this sector-wide scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity will have on our company, our business and our stock price. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or not, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from growing our company.

 

The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public announcements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC. Accordingly, our public disclosure should be reviewed in light of the fact that no governmental agency that is located in China, where part of our operations and business are located, has conducted any due diligence on our operations or reviewed or cleared any of our disclosure.

 

We are regulated by the SEC and our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Unlike public reporting companies whose operations are located primarily in the United States, however, substantially all of our operations are located in China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Since substantially all of our operations and business takes place outside of United States, it may be more difficult for the staff of the SEC to overcome the geographic and cultural obstacles that are present when reviewing our disclosure. These same obstacles are not present for similar companies whose operations or business take place entirely or primarily in the United States. Furthermore, our SEC reports and other disclosure and public announcements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public announcements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any due diligence on our company and with the understanding that none of our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public announcements has been reviewed or otherwise been scrutinized by any local regulator.

 

  61  

 

 

RISKS RELATED TO OUR STOCK

 

The market price of our common stock is volatile, leading to the possibility of its value being depressed at a time when you may want to sell your holdings.

 

The market price of our common stock is volatile, and this volatility may continue. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control or are not discernible or determinable by the Company, may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate significantly. In addition to market and industry factors, the price and trading volume for our common stock may be highly volatile for specific business reasons. Factors such as variations in our revenues, earnings and cash flow, announcements of new investments, cooperation arrangements or acquisitions, and fluctuations in market prices for our products could cause the market price for our shares to change substantially.

 

Securities class action litigation is often instituted against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs to us and divert our management’s attention and resources.

 

Moreover, the trading market for our common stock will be influenced by research or reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our common stock, the market price for our common stock would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which, in turn, could cause the market price for our common stock or trading volume to decline.

 

The market price of our common stock could be also subject to volatility if the value of our business and common stock is viewed as being linked to the price and value of digital assets. A decrease in the price of a single digital asset may cause volatility in the entire digital asset and security token industry. For example, a security breach that affects purchaser or user confidence in Bitcoin or Ether may affect the industry as a whole. If investors view our business and the value of our common stock as dependent upon or linked to the value or growth of digital assets, whether or not tokenized on our blockchain platforms, the price of such digital assets may influence significantly the market price of shares of our common stock.

 

Furthermore, securities markets may from time to time experience significant price and volume fluctuations for reasons unrelated to operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our common stock and other interests in our company at a time when you want to sell your interest in us.

 

Although publicly traded, the trading market in our common stock has been substantially less liquid than the average trading market for a stock quoted on the Nasdaq Stock Market and this low trading volume may adversely affect the price of our common stock.

 

Our common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market. The trading volume of our common stock has been comparatively low compared to other companies listed on Nasdaq. Limited trading volume will subject our shares of common stock to greater price volatility and may make it difficult for you to sell your shares of common stock at a price that is attractive to you.

 

Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws or Nevada law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of us or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of the common stock.

 

Our articles of incorporation authorize our Board to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by the Board without further action by the shareholders. These terms may include preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion rights, redemption rights and sinking fund provisions. The issuance of any preferred stock could diminish the rights of holders of our common stock, and therefore could reduce the value of such common stock. In addition, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell assets to, a third party. The ability of our Board to issue preferred stock could make it more difficult, delay, discourage, prevent or make it costlier to acquire or effect a change-in-control, which in turn could prevent our shareholders from recognizing a gain in the event that a favorable offer is extended and could materially and negatively affect the market price of our common stock.

 

In addition, Section 78.438 of the Nevada Revised Statutes prohibits a publicly-held Nevada corporation from engaging in a business combination with an interested stockholder (generally defined as a person which together with its affiliates owns, or within the last three years has owned, 10% of our voting stock, for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder) unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. The existence of the foregoing provisions and other potential anti-takeover measures could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. They could also deter potential acquirers of our Company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you could receive a premium for your common stock in an acquisition.

 

Certain of our shareholders hold a significant percentage of our outstanding voting securities.

 

As of August 10, 2018, Wecast Media Investment Management Limited, Seven Stars Global Cloud Group Limited, Sun Seven Stars Media Group Limited and affiliates (controlled by our Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Wu) are the beneficial owners of approximately 42.0% of our outstanding voting securities (through their ownership of 100% our Series A Preferred Stock, which entitle the holder to cast ten votes for every share of common stock that is issuable upon conversion of a share of Series A Preferred Stock (each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.1333333 shares of common stock), or a total of 9,333,330 votes), Mr. Shane McMahon, our Vice Chairman, is the beneficial owner of approximately 7.6% of our outstanding voting securities, and our former director Mr. Xuesong Song and C Media Limited (of which Mr. Song is the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer) are the beneficial owners of approximately 7.3% of our outstanding voting securities (as calculated in accordance with Rule 13d-3(d)(1) of the Exchange Act). As a result, each possesses significant influence over the election of our directors and the authorization of any proposed significant corporate transactions. Their respective ownership and control may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a future change in control, impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination or discourage a potential acquirer from making a tender offer.

 

  62  

 

 

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.

 

For the foreseeable future, we intend to retain any earnings to finance the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock or Series A preferred stock. Accordingly, investors must be prepared to rely on sales of their common stock after price appreciation to earn an investment return, which may never occur. Investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase our common stock. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by applicable law and other factors our Board deems relevant. In addition, our ability to declare and pay dividends is dependent on our ability to declare dividends and profits in our PRC subsidiaries. PRC rules greatly restrict and limit the ability of our subsidiaries to declare dividends to us which, in addition to restricting our cash flow, limits our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders. See “—Risks Related to Doing Business in China— Restrictions under PRC law on our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to make dividends and other distributions could materially and adversely affect our ability to grow, make investments or acquisitions that could benefit our business, pay dividends to you, and otherwise fund and conduct our business.”

 

Even if we are able to pay dividends on our common stock or Series A preferred stock, our Board may choose not to declare dividends on our capital stock. In addition, financing agreements that we may enter into in the future may limit our ability to pay cash dividends. Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.

 

The value of our common stock will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and RMB and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars, as well as earnings from, and the value of, any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.

 

Since July 2005, the RMB has no longer been pegged to the U.S. dollar. Although the People’s Bank of China regularly intervenes in the foreign exchange market to prevent significant short-term fluctuations in the exchange rate, the RMB may appreciate or depreciate significantly in value against the U.S. dollar in the medium to long term. Moreover, it is possible that in the future PRC authorities may lift restrictions on fluctuations in the RMB exchange rate and lessen intervention in the foreign exchange market.

 

Very limited hedging transactions are available in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we have not entered into any hedging transactions. While we may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge our exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018, other than those that were previously reported in our Current Reports on Form 8-K.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

There were no defaults upon senior securities during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2018.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

  63  

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following documents are filed, or incorporated by reference, as applicable, as part of this report on Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit    
No.   Description
10.1†   Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated July 11, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and the State of Connecticut.
10.2   Assistance Agreement, dated July 11, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and the State of Connecticut.
10.3   Share Purchase & Option Agreement, dated July 24, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Star Thrive Group Limited
10.4   Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated July 18, 2018, by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., Grapevine Logic, Inc., GLI Acquisition Corp., and Mr. Grant Deken, as the representative of the holders of capital stock of Grapevine Logic, Inc.
10.5   Stock Option Agreement, effective August 31, 2018, by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc and Formalhut Limited
10.6   Employment Agreement, dated September 24, 2018, by and between the Company and Mr. Brett McGonegal
10.7   Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement, dated June 28, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Advantech Capital Investment II Limited
10.8   Convertible Bond Agreement, dated June 28, 2018, by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. and Advantech Capital Investment II Limited
10.9†   Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan, dated August 28, 2018
10.10*†   Employment Agreement, dated as of June 1, 2018 by and between the Company and Mr. Federico Tovar
31.1   Certifications of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2   Certifications of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3     Certifications of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2   Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.3   Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL   Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF   Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB   Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE   Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

*Incorporated by reference to the Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 7, 2018.

†Denotes management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

  64  

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on November 14, 2018.

  

Ideanomics, Inc.  
     
By: /s/ Federico Tovar  
     
Name: Federico Tovar  
Title: Chief Financial Officer  
(Principal Financial Officer and an Authorized Officer)   

 

  65  

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT ACTING BY
AND THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF
CONNECTICUT

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

 

JULY 10, 2018

 

 

 

 

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT (this Agreement ) dated as of the l0th day of July, 2018, is made by and between THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, a constituent unit of the state system of public higher education of the State of Connecticut, having an address at 352 Mansfield Road, Unit 2122, Storrs, Connecticut 06269 (the Seller ) and SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation, having a business address of 55 Broadway, 19 th Floor, New York, NY 10007 (the Purchaser ). The date that this Agreement is approved by the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, as evidenced by his signature and dating below, shall constitute the “Effective Date” as used herein.

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, Seller desires to sell the Property (defined in Section 1.1 ), and Purchaser desires to purchase the Property from Seller; and

 

WHEREAS, Seller and Purchaser, intending to be bound by this Agreement, desire to set forth herein the terms, conditions and agreements under and by which Seller shall sell and Purchaser shall purchase the Property described.

 

AGREEMENTS:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements and covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Purchaser agree as follows:

 

1.            THE PROPERTY

 

1.1.          Description . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and for the consideration set forth herein, Seller hereby agrees to sell, assign and convey, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase and acquire, all of Seller's right, title and interest in and to the following (collectively, the Property ):

 

1.1.1.          The fee interest in those certain parcels of land located in Hartford County, Connecticut, formerly commonly known as the University of Connecticut - Greater Hartford Campus, in the Town of West Hartford (the Town ) and being more specifically described on Schedule 1.1.1 , attached hereto (the Land ), along with the title in and to all buildings (collectively, the Buildings ), together with all other improvements, parking facilities and fixtures, located on the Land (the Buildings and any and all other improvements located on the Land are hereinafter referred to collectively as the Improvements ), and all easements, hereditaments, appurtenances, development rights, transferrable permits and approvals, and other benefits, if any, pertaining to or affecting the Land (collectively, the Easements ). The Land, Improvements and Easements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Real Property .

 

  2  

 

 

1.2.           Agreement to Convey . Seller agrees to sell and convey, and Purchaser agrees to purchase and accept, at the Closing (defined in Section 2.5 ): (a) the fee title to the Real Property by way of the Deed (defined in Section 8.1.1 ), to be executed and delivered by Seller and which shall be subject to the Permitted Exceptions (defined in Section 3.4 ), including the Ballfield Lease (as defined in Section 3.4.6 ); and (b) the remainder of the Property, by way of one or more other instruments of conveyance.

 

2.            PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT.

 

2.1.          Purchase Price . The purchase price for the Property (the Purchase Price ) is Five Million Two Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($5,200,000.00), subject to adjustment as detailed herein.

 

2.2.          Deposit .

 

2.2.1.           Initial Deposit . Purchaser shall deposit with Seller the sum in cash of Five Hundred Twenty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($520,000.00) (the Deposit ) upon execution of this Agreement by the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut. Payment will be made in accordance with the wire instructions set forth on Schedule 2.2 .

 

2.2.2.           Maintenance of Deposit . The Deposit shall operate as a credit against the Purchase Price at Closing. The Deposit is nonrefundable, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

2.3.          Balance of Purchase Price . At Closing, Purchaser shall pay in cash the balance of the Purchase Price.

 

2.4.          Payment . Purchaser shall pay to Seller the Purchase Price on the Closing Date by wiring such amount in cash to Seller. The Purchase Price shall also be subject to further adjustments for prorations and credits required to be made in accordance with Section 7 , below.

 

2.5.          Closing . The purchase and sale of the Property shall be consummated at closing (the Closing ) on a date mutually satisfactory to Purchaser and Seller (the Closing Date ), which shall be not more than thirty (30) days after satisfaction of the conditions described in Sections 6.3.1, 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 ; provided that Purchaser shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date by up to fifteen (15) days on written request delivered no later than five (5) days prior to the scheduled Closing Date. Closing shall occur at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern), on the Closing Date at the offices of Shipman & Goodwin LLP, One Constitution Plaza, Hartford, Connecticut 06103, or at such other time and place as may be agreed to in writing by Seller and Purchaser. Alternatively, Closing may occur through an escrow closing conducted by a title insurance company reasonably acceptable to Seller and Purchaser acting as an escrow agent (the Escrow Agent ). Seller and Purchaser may jointly or severally enter into one or more closing instruction letters that set forth each party's conditions of Closing (each, an Escrow Instruction Letter ), which Escrow Instruction Letters shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Upon satisfaction or completion of all Closing conditions and deliveries, Escrow Agent shall deliver the Closing documents to the appropriate parties, record the Deed and any other applicable recordable documents, and make disbursements according to the Settlement Statement (defined in Section 8.1.7 ).

 

3

 

 

3.            ACCESS; DOCUMENT REVIEW.

 

3.1.          Access to the Property . Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Purchase Price is based upon its obligation to purchase of the Property without conditions or contingencies (except those set forth in Section 6.1 ). Purchaser further acknowledges and agrees that it is satisfied with the condition of the Property, and that its obligation to purchase the Property pursuant to this Agreement is not subject to any contingency relating to inspection of or due diligence regarding the Property, the physical or other condition of the Property (including, without limitation, the environmental condition of the Property), the Purchaser's intended use of the Property, or the availability of any permits, consents or other approvals of any local, state, federal or other governmental authority that may be required for the use, development and/or occupancy of the Property, including any specific use intended by Purchaser.

 

3.1.1.          Seller shall permit Purchaser and Purchaser's agents and representatives access to the Property prior to Closing to engage in activities which are related to Purchaser's intended use and development of the Property. Before Purchaser and/or any of its agents or representatives enter the Property, Purchaser shall give Seller two (2) business days' advance written notice to:

 

Robert Sitkowski

Attorney

University of Connecticut – Office of the General Counsel

Budds Building

343 Mansfield Road, Unit 1177

Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1177

email: Robert.sitkowski@uconn.edu

telephone: (860) 486-3396

 

3.1.2.          At Seller's option, a representative of Seller may accompany Purchaser and/or Purchaser's agent or representative. Purchaser agrees to be solely responsible for its conduct and the conduct of Purchaser's agents and representatives on and adjacent to the Property and shall assume and pay for all expenses incurred in connection therewith. At all times during the presence of Purchaser or Purchaser's representatives on the Property, Purchaser agrees that Purchaser will not allow, and Purchaser's representatives will not conduct any environmental or other investigation involving soil borings or monitoring wells, or otherwise disturb the Property. If Purchaser causes any such disturbance, Purchaser agrees to return the Property to substantially the same condition existing before entry and/ or occupation by Purchaser's representatives. Purchaser shall schedule access to minimize interference with Seller's operations.

 

  4  

 

 

3.1.3.          Purchaser shall be responsible for any and all costs, penalties, fines, losses, claims, liabilities and expenses (the Costs ) arising from or in connection with its access to the Property. Purchaser shall indemnify and hold harmless Seller from any and all Costs incurred by Seller in connection with the same. The Purchaser's obligations under this Section 3.1 shall survive termination of this Agreement or the Closing, as applicable.

 

3.1.4.          Purchaser shall, at its sole expense, keep and maintain a policy of commercial general liability insurance that insures against all Costs arising from access to the Property and covers Purchaser's responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.1 . This insurance policy shall name Seller and the University of Connecticut as additional insureds and afford protection in limits of not less than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for bodily injury or death in any one accident, and not less than Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) for property damage. All insurance shall be effected under standard form policies, issued by insurers of recognized responsibility authorized to do business in the State of Connecticut and having a national rating of A-VII or better. Prior to Purchaser or its agents' or representatives' access to the Property, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller certificates of such insurance coverage naming Seller and the University of Connecticut as additional insureds and, not less than thirty (30) days before the expiration of any such insurance policy, a certificate of the renewal of coverage accompanied by evidence reasonably satisfactory to Seller of payment of premiums therefor. In addition, the insurance shall be primary, non-contributing, and contain a waiver of subrogation in favor of Seller.

 

3.2.          Inspection of Documents . Within fifteen (15) days after the Effective Date, Seller shall deliver, or otherwise make available on a secure data site, to Purchaser copies of any reports, surveys, environmental reports and other similar items relating to the Land and Improvements (the Property Documents ), to the extent such Property Documents are within Seller's actual possession or control, other than those Property Documents which Seller has already made available to Purchaser, either pursuant to a Non-Disclosure Agreement or on the public website https://updc.uconn.edu/westhartford/. The Property Documents shall be subject to the terms of Section 13.16 . Notwithstanding the immediately prior sentence, Purchaser's obligation to purchase the Property pursuant to this Agreement is in no way subject to Purchaser's approval or acceptance of the Property Documents.

 

3.2.1.          Purchaser acknowledges, understands and agrees that the Property Documents may have been prepared by parties other than Seller and that Seller makes no representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, as to the completeness of the Property Documents. Purchaser specifically releases Seller from all claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, losses, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including without limitation attorney's fees whether suit is instituted or not), whether known or unknown, liquidated or contingent (collectively Claims ) asserted against or incurred by Purchaser by reason of the information contained in, or that should have been contained in, the Property Documents. The provisions of this Section 3.2.1 shall survive Closing, or the early termination of this Agreement.

 

5

 

 

3.3.          Title Commitment .

 

3.3.1.          Attached to this Agreement as Schedule 3.4 is a commitment from First American Title Insurance Company (the “Title Company”), dated as of May 24, 2018, for title insurance (the “Title Commitment”) setting forth the status of title to the Real Property as of such date and all exceptions which would appear in an owner's policy of title insurance, specifying the Purchaser as the named insured and showing the Purchase Price as the policy amount. Purchaser agrees that it is prepared to accept title at Closing subject to all exceptions to title set forth in the Title Commitment and to all other Permitted Exceptions, and it hereby waives any right to object thereto.

 

3.3.2.          Purchaser shall have five (5) business days after receipt of any updates to the Title Commitment (including receipt of any documents referenced in such update) to object in writing to any material matters disclosed therein which arose since the date of the original Title Commitment. If Purchaser so objects, Seller shall have until 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on the tenth (l0 th ) business day after receiving notice of such objection to agree in writing to cure before Closing such disapproved item. If Seller elects not to cure, or fails to timely respond to Purchaser's objections, Seller shall be deemed to have elected not to cure, in which event Purchaser shall, on or before 5:00 p.m. (Eastern) on the fifteenth (15 th ) day after Seller's receipt of such objection, either (i) terminate this Agreement by delivering to Seller, a written notice of termination, or (ii) waive in writing its objection to the items, which shall then become Permitted Exceptions. Purchaser's failure to timely deliver to Seller a written notice of termination or waiver of its objection to the items shall be deemed to constitute Purchaser's waiver of its objection to said items and such items shall become Permitted Exceptions. If the foregoing periods extend beyond the scheduled Closing Date, the Closing Date shall be postponed until the third (3 rd ) business day after the completion of such periods. If Purchaser terminates this Agreement pursuant to this Section 3.3.2 , the Seller shall promptly return the Deposit to Purchaser and the parties' rights and obligations hereunder shall terminate, except those that expressly survive termination.

 

3.4.          Permitted Exceptions . Purchaser shall accept title to the Property, subject to the following exceptions (the Permitted Exceptions ).

 

3.4.1.          Those matters which are of record on the date of the Title Commitment.

 

3.4.2.          The lien of non-delinquent taxes, assessments and other usual and customary charges assessed against the owners of real property in Connecticut.

 

3.4.3.          Sewer use charges not yet due and payable.

 

3.4.4.          Water use charges not yet due and payable.

 

  6  

 

 

3.4.5.          All building and zoning laws, codes and regulations affecting the Property, including all special exceptions, conditions, site plan approvals, and other similar matters, if any, relating to the zoning of the Property.

 

3.4.6.          That certain Lease by and between Seller and the Town, dated July 20, 2005, as amended by Amendment to Lease, dated September 14, 2011, and further amended by Second Amendment to Lease, dated June 29, 2015 (the Ballfield Lease ).

 

3.4.7.          Such matters as would be shown by an accurate survey or personal inspection of the Real Property.

 

3.4.8.          Rights of others in and to all rights appurtenant to the Property.

 

3.5.          Contracts .

 

3.5.1.          As used herein, the term Fence Contract shall mean the contract for installation, use and removal of certain fencing on the Real Property, which Fence Contract is attached as Schedule 3.5 attached hereto. The term of the Fence Contract is for twelve (12) months and commenced on April 20, 2018. The payment obligations under the Fence Contract will be allocated between Seller and Purchaser as follows: Seller shall be responsible for a percentage of such obligations equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the date of the Fence Contract to, but not including, the Closing Date and the denominator of which is 360; and Purchaser shall be responsible for a percentage of such obligations equal to a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from and including the Closing Date to and including the last day of the scheduled term of the Fence Contract and the denominator of which is 360. Seller shall perform its obligations under the Fence Contract until the Closing Date. Purchaser agrees, at Closing, to assume the Fence Contract and be responsible for any obligations arising under the Fence Contract on or after the Closing Date.

 

3.5.2.          Seller shall not enter into any new contracts relating to the Property without the written consent of Purchaser, not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, unless the same are terminable upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice and without penalty.

 

3.5.3.          Seller agrees that, as of Closing, there will be no contracts to which it is a party which relate to the Property other than the Fence Contract, the Ballfield Lease, the Permitted Exceptions, and any contract entered into in accordance with Section 3.5.2 .

 

3.6           Town of West Hartford Right of First Refusal . It is Seller's position that Connecticut General Statutes Section 3-14b does not apply to a sale of the Property. Nevertheless, Seller may elect to proceed as if such statute does apply, in which case Seller will notify the Town that Seller proposes to sell the Property upon terms different from those offered to the Town and that the Town has the right to purchase the Property on such terms (the Town RFR ). If Seller so elects, the parties agree to collaborate in good faith to provide promptly notice to the Town (the Town RFR Period ) for the Town to make a decision and to encourage the Town to decide whether or not to exercise its rights under the Town RFR as soon as possible. The Town RFR Period will expire upon the earlier of (i) the expiration of the forty-five (45) day period for the Town to give written notice of its desire to purchase the Property, without the Town giving such notice and (ii) receipt by Seller of written notice from the Town of its decision not to purchase the Property. In the event the Town acquires the Property pursuant to its rights under this Section, the Deposit shall be returned to Purchaser and neither party shall have any further rights, duties, obligations or continuing liability to each other except to the extent expressly stated in any provision of this Agreement.

 

7

 

 

4.            SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS PRIOR TO CLOSING. Until Closing, Seller and/ or Seller's agents or representatives shall:

 

4.1.          Insurance . Maintain the existing levels of insurance coverage with respect to the Property.

 

4.2.          Maintenance . Maintain the Property in its current condition (subject to casualty and normal wear and tear), the parties acknowledging that such condition reflects the fact that most of the Property has been vacant since summer 2017, and make repairs and/or replacements in the ordinary course of business in connection with any damage to the Property, and deliver the Property to Purchaser at Closing in the condition existing as of the Effective Date, normal wear and tear and damage by casualty excepted; provided, however, that Seller shall not be required to maintain the landscaping at the Property.

 

4.3.          Notices . Provide to Purchaser, promptly after receipt thereof, any and all written notices relating to the Property received by Seller or its agents or representatives from any governmental or quasi-governmental instrumentality, insurance company, or any other entity or party, which notices are of a type not normally received in the ordinary course of Seller's operations, or which would (i) have a material effect upon the Property or (ii) result in a material change in a representation or warranty made by Seller hereunder.

 

4.4.          Compliance with Agreements . Take all actions reasonably necessary to comply in all material respects with all agreements, covenants, encumbrances and obligations affecting or relating to the Property (to the extent valid and enforceable) and the ownership, operation and maintenance thereof. Without limiting the immediately prior sentence, Seller shall perform its obligations under the Fence Contract to the Closing Date, provided that the allocation between Seller and Purchaser for the payment obligations under the Fence Contract shall be as set forth in Section 3.5.1 . Seller shall pay all utility bills, tax bills (if any) and other invoices and expenses relating to the Property for the period to the Closing Date, as and when the same become due, subject to Seller's right to contest any of the same in good faith and in compliance with applicable law. Seller's right to contest any utility bill, tax bill (if any), invoices or expenses shall not relieve Seller of its obligation to pay same if such contest does not result in elimination of such bill, invoice or expense.

 

  8  

 

 

5.            REPRESENTATIONS.

 

5.1.          By Seller . Seller represents to Purchaser, as of the Effective Date and will affirm as of the Closing Date, that:

 

5.1.1.          The University of Connecticut is a constituent unit of the state system of public higher education of the State of Connecticut.

 

5.1.2.          Except as provided in Section 6.3 , the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary and appropriate action of Seller.

 

5.1.3.          Except as provided in Section 6.3 , Seller has taken all requisite action and obtained, or will obtain prior to the Closing, all requisite consents, releases and permissions in connection with entering into this Agreement and the instruments and documents referenced herein or required under any covenant, agreement, encumbrance, law or regulation with respect to the obligations required hereunder, and no consent of any other party is required for the performance by Seller of its obligations hereunder. Subject to Section 6.3, this Agreement is, and all agreements, instruments and documents delivered by Seller pursuant to this Agreement shall be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by Seller. Subject to Section 6.3, this Agreement is, and all agreements, instruments and documents to be delivered by Seller pursuant to this Agreement shall be, valid and legally binding upon Seller and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

 

5.1.4.          Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does now constitute or shall result in a breach of, or a default under, any agreement, document, instrument or other obligation to which Seller is a party or by which Seller may be bound, or any law, statute, ordinance, rule, governmental regulation or any writ, injunction, order or decree of any court or governmental body, applicable to Seller or to the Property.

 

5.1.5.          No petition in bankruptcy (voluntary or otherwise), assignment for the benefit of creditors, or petition seeking reorganization or arrangement or other action under Federal or state bankruptcy law is pending against or, to Seller's knowledge, contemplated by Seller.

 

5.1.6.          To Seller's knowledge, other than the SEH Notification and NOV (as defined in Section 11.2 ), there are no actions, suits, claims or other proceedings pending or contemplated or threatened against Seller that would adversely affect Seller's ability to perform its obligations when and as required under the terms of this Agreement or that would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the operation of the Property.

 

5.1.7.          To Seller's knowledge, Seller has not received written notice from any condemning authority of any pending or threatened condemnation action affecting any portion of the Property.

 

5.1.8.          Seller is not a “foreign person” as defined in the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980, as amended.

 

  9  

 

 

5.1.9.          At Closing, there will be no mechanics' liens applicable to the Real Property, and Seller will provide (i) an affidavit at Closing that no work has been performed or material furnished and not paid for, for which a mechanic's lien can be filed, (ii) lien waivers from any parties with lien rights against the Real Property, (iii) an amount to be deposited with the Title Company sufficient to cover the cost thereof plus interest, or (iv) other evidence satisfactory to establish that no mechanics' liens may be filed against Seller's interest in the Real Property.

 

5.1.10.         Seller is not in default of its obligations under the Ballfield Lease or addenda thereto. Seller shall deliver to Purchaser at or prior to Closing all current reports or budgets, if any, in its possession with respect to the Ballfield Lease.

 

The representations of Seller set forth in this Section 5.1 shall Survive Closing for six (6) months.

 

5.2.          By Purchaser . Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller as of the Effective Date and will affirm as of the Closing Date that:

 

5.2.1.          Purchaser is a duly organized and validly existing corporation under the laws of Nevada, is duly qualified to transact business and in good standing in the State of Connecticut, and has full power to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

5.2.2.          Purchaser has taken all requisite action and obtained all requisite consents, releases and permissions in connection with entering into this Agreement and the instruments and documents referenced herein or required under any covenant, agreement, encumbrance, law or regulation with respect to the obligations required hereunder, and no consent of any other party is required for the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder.

 

5.2.3.          This Agreement is, and all agreements, instruments and documents to be executed and delivered by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement shall be, duly authorized, executed and delivered by Purchaser. This Agreement is, and all agreements, instruments and documents to be executed and delivered by Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement shall be, valid and legally binding upon Purchaser and enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

 

5.2.4.          Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby does now constitute or shall result in a breach of, or a default under, any agreement, document, instrument or other obligation to which Purchaser is a party or by which Purchaser may be bound, or any law, statute, ordinance, rule, governmental regulation or any writ, injunction, order or decree of any court or governmental body, applicable to Purchaser or to the Property.

 

5.2.5.          No petition in bankruptcy (voluntary or otherwise), assignment for the benefit of creditors, or petition seeking reorganization or arrangement or other action under federal, state or other bankruptcy law is pending against or, to the best of Purchaser's knowledge, contemplated by Purchaser.

 

  10  

 

 

5.2.6.          There are no actions, suits, claims or other proceedings pending or, to the best of the Purchaser's knowledge, contemplated or threatened against Purchaser that could affect the Purchaser's ability to perform its obligations when and as required under the terms of this Agreement.

 

The representations and warranties of Purchaser in this Section 5.2 shall survive Closing for six (6) months.

 

5.3.          Broker . Seller and Purchaser each represents to the other that it has had no dealings, negotiations, or consultations with any broker, representative, employee, agent or other intermediary in connection with the sale of the Property, which would give rise to a claim for a real estate commission or other fee which is contingent on the transfer of the Property.

 

5.4.          Property Condition .

 

5.4.1.           Disclaimer . THE PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD “AS IS”, “WHERE IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS” AS OF CLOSING, WITHOUT ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WHATSOEVER AS TO ITS CONDITION, FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, MERCHANTABILITY OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. SELLER SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY, GUARANTY OR REPRESENTATION, ORAL OR WRITTEN, PAST OR PRESENT, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, CONCERNING THE PROPERTY, EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT PURCHASER IS NOT PURCHASING THE PROPERTY IN RELIANCE UPON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE SELLER RELATED PARTIES (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 5.4.4) OR ANY OF THEIR AGENTS OR CONTRACTORS.

 

5.4.2.           Release of Claims . Without limiting the provisions of Section 5.4.1 , Purchaser releases the Seller Related Parties from any and all Claims (whether known or unknown, and whether contingent or liquidated) arising from or related to (a) any defects, errors or omissions in the design or construction of the Property, whether the same are a result of negligence or otherwise, or (b) other conditions (including environmental conditions) affecting the Property, whether the same are a result of negligence or otherwise. The release set forth in this Section specifically includes any Claims under any Environmental Laws, or with respect to any environmental risk, including Claims relating to the environmental, health and safety matters more particularly described in, but not limited to, Section 11 . The term Environmental Laws , as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§6901 et seq.), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 et seq.), the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (42 U.S.C. §§11001 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §§7401 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§1251 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§2601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §§1801 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. §§651 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. §§136 et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §§300f et seq.), and the Connecticut Transfer Act (Section 22a-134 et seq. of the Connecticut General Statutes), as any of the same may be amended from time to time, and any state or local law dealing with environmental matters, and any regulations, orders, rules, procedures, guidelines and the like promulgated in connection therewith, regardless of whether the same are in existence on the date of this Agreement.

 

11

 

 

5.4.3.           Acknowledgment of Inspection . Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that (a) Purchaser and its consultants have visited the Property and Purchaser has knowingly agreed to purchase the Property without taking the opportunity to inspect further the Property and its operation, (b) if this transaction is consummated, Purchaser will be purchasing the Property pursuant to Purchaser's independent knowledge of the Property, and (c) Purchaser is relying upon its own determination of the value and condition of the Property and not on any information provided or to be provided by Seller. Purchaser is not relying in any way upon any representations (except those expressly provided in Section 5.1 ), statements, plans, specifications, cost estimates, studies, reports, descriptions, guidelines or other information or material furnished by Seller or its representatives to Purchaser or its representatives, whether oral or written, express or implied, of any nature whatsoever regarding any such matters. Purchaser shall be provided access to the Property twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled date of Closing to perform a walk-through of the Land and Improvements to ensure the Seller has complied with Section 4.2 .

 

5.4.4.           RELEASE . PURCHASER HEREBY RELEASES THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT AND ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS, REPRESENTATIVES, AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, DIRECTORS OR EMPLOYEES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (EACH OF THE FOREGOING, INCLUDING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT AND THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, A SELLER RELATED PARTY AND COLLECTIVELY, THE SELLER RELATED PARTIES ) FROM ALL CLAIMS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, COSTS AND EXPENSES WHICH PURCHASER OR ANY PARTY RELATED TO OR AFFILIATED WITH PURCHASER (A PURCHASER RELATED PARTY ) HAS OR MAY HAVE ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO ANY MATTER OR THING RELATED TO THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY, ANY CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS, ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPERTY AND ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AT, IN, ON OR UNDER THE PROPERTY, AND PURCHASER WILL NOT LOOK TO SELLER OR ANY OTHER SELLER RELATED PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING FOR ANY REDRESS OR RELIEF.

 

  12  

 

 

5.4.5.           SURVIVAL . THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND AGREEMENTS OF PURCHASER SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 WILL SURVIVE THE CLOSING INDEFINITELY.

 

6.             CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING.

 

6.1.          Conditions for the Benefit of Purchaser . The obligation of Purchaser to consummate the conveyance of the Property hereunder is subject to the full and complete satisfaction or waiver by Purchaser of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

6.1.1.          The representations of Seller contained in this Agreement shall be true, complete and accurate in all material respects, on and as of the Effective Date and the Closing Date as if the same were made on and as of such dates.

 

6.1.2.          Seller shall have performed each and every obligation and covenant of Seller to be performed hereunder unless performance thereof is waived by Purchaser.

 

6.1.3           Satisfaction by Seller of the requirements of Section 4b-47 of the Connecticut General Statutes that does not result in any portion of the Property being set aside or subjected to the grant of an easement or restriction that would materially interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Property. In the event that any portion of the Property is set aside or subjected to a grant of an easement or restriction that would materially interfere with the use and enjoyment of the Property, Purchaser shall have the option to terminate the Agreement or proceed to Closing with no adjustment to the Purchase Price. If Purchaser terminates the Agreement pursuant to this Section 6.1.3 , Seller shall return the Deposit to Purchaser and the parties' rights and obligations under this Agreement shall terminate, except for those that expressly survive termination.

 

6.2.          Waiver of Purchaser's Conditions . Purchaser shall have the right to waive some or all of the foregoing conditions in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that no such waiver shall be effective or binding on Purchaser unless it is in writing and executed by an authorized officer of Purchaser.

 

6.3.          Conditions for the Benefit of Seller . The obligation of Seller to consummate the conveyance of the Property hereunder is subject to the full and complete satisfaction or waiver by Seller of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

6.3.1.          Receipt by Seller of all necessary consents or waivers from the Town with respect to the Town RFR pursuant to Section 3.6 . Purchaser acknowledges that if Seller provides notice to the Town as contemplated by Section 3.6 , this Agreement is contingent on the expiration or waiver of the Town's RFR.

 

6.3.2.          Receipt by Seller of written acknowledgment(s) from the Town and the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management that Section 10a-109w of the Connecticut General Statutes has been complied with, such acknowledgement(s) to be in form(s) reasonably acceptable to Seller.

 

  13  

 

 

6.3.3.          Satisfaction of the requirements of all applicable laws of the State of Connecticut to the sale of the Property, including, without limitation, Section 4b-47 of the Connecticut General Statutes, the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (Sections 22a-1a through 22a-1h of the Connecticut General Statutes) (“CEPA”), and the approval of the Treasurer of the State of Connecticut pursuant to Section 4b-21(f) of the Connecticut General Statutes. With respect to compliance with CEPA, the parties acknowledge and agree that the transfer of the Property to Purchaser imposes no restrictions on Purchaser's use of the Property, that the future use of the Property is in the sole discretion of Purchaser, and that Seller therefore cannot determine the potential for significant environmental impacts on the State's land, water, air or other environmental resources.

 

6.3.4.          Approval of this Agreement by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut.

 

6.3.5.          Approval or authorization of this Agreement by the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut.

 

6.3.6.          The representations and warranties of Purchaser contained in this Agreement shall be true, complete and accurate in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date and the Closing Date as if the same were made on and as of such dates.

 

6.3.7.          Purchaser shall have performed each and every obligation and covenant of Purchaser to be performed hereunder unless performance thereof is waived by Seller.

 

6.4.          Waiver of Seller's Conditions . Seller shall have the right to waive some or all of the foregoing conditions in its sole and absolute discretion; provided, however, that no such waiver shall be effective or binding on Seller unless it is in writing and executed by an authorized officer of Seller.

 

6.5.          Continuing Use . Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Seller is continuing to occupy and use a portion of the Real Property consisting of the so-called IT Building and the parking area located behind the library building, and will need to continue to do so until at least September 30, 2018. Purchaser agrees that Seller may continue to occupy such areas, and shall have access rights across the Real Property to such areas, until September 30, 2018, without the payment of rent or other sums, provided that Seller shall continue to maintain its current liability insurance with respect to such use; provided, however, if Seller gives Purchaser at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice, Seller may extend its period of occupancy of such areas for up to an additional sixty (60) days (i.e., until November 29, 2018), without any obligation to pay rent, which continued use and occupancy by Seller shall not materially interfere with Purchaser's renovation of the Property. If Seller breaches its obligation to vacate the Property, Purchaser only may pursue a claim against the Seller pursuant to and in accordance with Chapter 53 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

 

  14  

 

 

7.            CLOSING COSTS AND PRORATIONS.

 

7.1.          Purchaser's Costs . Purchaser shall pay at Closing the following costs of closing this transaction:

 

7.1.1.          All recording fees;

 

7.1.2.          All premiums, fees and costs associated with the issuance of any policy of title insurance by the Title Company;

 

7.1.3.          The fees and disbursements of Purchaser's counsel and any other expense(s) incurred by Purchaser or its representative(s) in inspecting or evaluating the Property or closing this transaction;

 

7.1.4.          Any and all costs and expenses in connection with obtaining financing for the purchase of the Property;

 

7.1.5.          Fifty percent (50%) of the amount of any fees and expenses of the Title Company with respect to acting as Escrow Agent;

 

7.1.6.          Any and all fees and other costs relating to the Remediation of Letter of Credit (as defined in Section 11.5 ); and

 

7.1.7           Any and all premiums, fees, and other costs relating to the Environmental Policy (as defined in Section 11.6 ).

 

7.2.          Seller's Costs . Seller shall pay at Closing the following costs of closing this transaction:

 

7.2.1.          Fifty percent (50%) of the amount of any fees and expenses of the Title Company with respect to acting as Escrow Agent;

 

7.2.2.          The fees and disbursements of Seller's counsel; and

 

7.2.3.          Real estate conveyance taxes (if any) in connection with the conveyance of the Property by Seller to Purchaser.

 

7.3.          Utility Deposits . Seller shall have the right to receive any and all deposits held on behalf of Seller by utility companies with respect to the Property.

 

7.4.          Taxes . General real estate taxes and special assessments relating to the Property payable during the year in which Closing occurs shall be prorated with respect to the Property as of the Closing Date in accordance with Connecticut practice, with Seller being responsible for Taxes (if any) payable during Seller's period of ownership and Purchaser being responsible for Taxes payable from and after the Closing Date, and further in accordance with the uniform fiscal year method of adjustment.

 

  15  

 

 

7.5.          Fence . The payment obligations under the Fence Contract shall be prorated as of the Closing Date in accordance with Section 3.5 .

 

7.6           In General . Any other costs or charges of closing this transaction not specifically mentioned in this Agreement shall be paid and adjusted in accordance with local custom or ordinance in the jurisdiction in which the Property is located.

 

7.6.          Purpose and Intent . Except as expressly provided herein, the purpose and intent as to the provisions of prorations and apportionments set forth in this Section 7 and elsewhere in this Agreement is that Seller shall bear all expenses of ownership and operation of the Property during its period of ownership and shall receive all income therefrom accruing through midnight of the day preceding the Closing Date and Purchaser shall bear all such expenses and receive all such income accruing thereafter.

 

8.            CLOSING AND ESCROW.

 

8.1.          Seller's Deliveries . Seller shall deliver at the Closing the following original documents, each executed and, if required, acknowledged:

 

8.1.1.          A quitclaim deed conveying title to Purchaser of the Real Property, subject only to the Permitted Exceptions (the Deed ), in the form attached hereto as Schedule 8.1.1.

 

8.1.2.          An assignment of the Ballfield Lease and the Fence Contract to Purchaser by way of an assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement” ), conveying to Purchaser all of Seller's rights, title and interest in and to the Ballfield Lease and the Fence Contract.

 

8.1.3.          An affidavit pursuant to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act.

 

8.1.4.          A certificate from the Executive Secretary of Seller's Board of Trustees certifying the Board's approval of the sale of the Property to Purchaser in accordance with this Agreement, and evidence of any other State of Connecticut approvals needed for the sale.

 

8.1.5.          Appropriate evidence of authority, capacity and status of Seller as reasonably required by the Title Company.

 

8.1.6.          An owner's affidavit, in form reasonably acceptable to Seller and the Title Company and sufficient for the Title Company to delete any exceptions for (a) mechanics' or materialmen's liens arising from work at the Property which is the responsibility of Seller hereunder, (b) parties in possession, other than tenants as tenants only (including Seller under Section 6.5), and (c) matters not shown in the public records.

 

8.1.7.          A settlement statement (the Settlement Statement ).

 

  16  

 

 

8.1.8.          An escrow instruction letter.

 

8.1.9.          Such other documents, certificates and other instruments as may be reasonably required to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby.

 

8.2.          Purchaser's Deliveries . At the Closing, Purchaser shall execute (except for the Remediation Letter of Credit (as defined in Section 11.5 ) and the Environmental Policy) and deliver the following:

 

8.2.1.          The Assignment and Assumption Agreement, pursuant to which Purchaser assumes the Ballfield Lease and the Fence Contract.

 

8.2.2.          Evidence of Purchaser's authority, and the authority of the person executing any documents at Closing on behalf of Purchaser, acceptable to Seller and the Title Company, to enter into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

8.2.3.          The Settlement Statement.

 

8.2.4.          An escrow instruction letter.

 

8.2.5.          The Remediation Letter of Credit.

 

8.2.6.          The Environmental Policy, together with payment in full of all premiums therefor.

 

8.2.7.          Such other documents, certificates and other instruments as may be reasonably required to consummate the transaction contemplated hereby.

 

8.3.          Possession . Purchaser shall be entitled to possession of the Property at the conclusion of the Closing (subject to Section 6.5 ).

 

9.            CASUALTY.

 

If at any time on or prior to the Closing Date any material portion of the Improvements are destroyed or damaged as a result of fire or any other cause whatsoever, Seller shall promptly give written notice thereof to Purchaser. In the event of destruction or damage to a material portion of any of the Improvements on the Property, Purchaser shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of notice of such occurrence to notify Seller in writing of its intent to terminate this Agreement. Upon termination pursuant to this provision Seller shall promptly refund the Deposit to Purchaser and the parties shall be relieved of further obligation hereunder, except those that expressly survive termination of such damage or destruction. In the event of such damage or destruction where Purchaser does not elect to terminate this Agreement, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the parties shall proceed to Closing without any adjustment in the Purchase Price. All insurance proceeds shall be paid to an escrow agent reasonably acceptable to Seller and Purchaser, who shall hold the insurance proceeds until such time as Purchaser shall present reasonable evidence to Seller as to whether Purchaser wishes to restore or demolish the damaged Improvements. If Purchaser elects to restore the Improvements, then the insurance proceeds shall be released to Purchaser for such purpose, and Purchaser shall proceed to the restoration of the Improvements. In the event that not all the insurance proceeds are required for such restoration, then, upon completion of the restoration, the excess proceeds shall be payable to Seller. If the Purchaser elects to demolish all or any portion of the Improvements, the insurance proceeds shall be released to Purchaser to the extent necessary for such demolition and the balance of the insurance proceeds shall be paid to Seller. This Section shall survive Closing.

 

  17  

 

 

10.         FAILURE OF CONDITIONS PRECEDENT; DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.

 

10.1.        Failure of Conditions Precedent . If any of the conditions precedent stated in Article 6 have not occurred or been satisfied on or before the Closing Date, Purchaser or Seller, as applicable, may: (a) terminate this Agreement by written notice to the appropriate party on or before the Closing Date, in which event the appropriate party shall be entitled to receive the Deposit, or (b) to waive such conditions precedent and proceed to Closing; provided that if the failure to satisfy a condition arises from a default by a party hereto, the other party may pursue its rights under Section 10.2 or 10.3 , as applicable.

 

10.2.        Purchaser Default . If Purchaser is in default of its obligation to timely purchase the Property, then Seller shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to terminate this Agreement by giving notice of such termination to Purchaser and the Title Company and receive the Deposit as liquidated damages. In the event Seller terminates pursuant to this Section 10.2 , Purchaser agrees that the retention of the Deposit by Seller represents a reasonable estimation as of the Effective Date of Seller's damages in the event of Purchaser's default hereunder, that actual damages would be impracticable or extremely difficult to ascertain, and that the provision for liquidated damages hereunder does not constitute a penalty. The parties acknowledge that these damages have been specifically negotiated between themselves and are, among other things, to compensate Seller for taking the Property off the market, for Seller's costs and expenses associated with this Agreement and for Seller's lost opportunity costs. Purchaser hereby waives the rights and benefits of any law, rule, regulation, or order now or hereafter existing that would allow Purchaser to claim a refund of the Deposit as unearned earnest money, a penalty, or for any other reason.

 

10.3.        Seller Default . In the event Seller shall: (a) fail to sell, transfer and assign the Property to Purchaser in violation of the terms of this Agreement, (b) fail to perform any other material obligation of Seller hereunder, or (c) intentionally breach any representation made by Seller under this Agreement, which breach is not cured by the Closing Date, Purchaser shall, as its sole and exclusive remedy, be entitled to either: (1) declare this Agreement to be null and void and demand in writing and receive the return of the Deposit whereupon, neither party shall have any further rights, duties or obligations hereunder except as otherwise provided herein; or (2) pursue a claim against the Seller pursuant to and in accordance with Chapter 53 of the Connecticut General Statutes. Purchaser specifically waives any and all right to consequential or punitive damages.

 

  18  

 

 

10.3.1.         Waiver of Default . If the Purchaser does not duly notify Seller of the default, or does not give Seller a written notice of termination hereunder, then (i) the default shall be treated as waived by the Purchaser and (ii) at Closing, Purchaser shall accept the Property subject to the default without any reduction in the Purchase Price and without any Claims against Seller on account of the default.

 

10.4.        Termination . Upon any termination of this Agreement pursuant to any right of a party to terminate set forth in this Agreement, (a) the Deposit shall be paid over to the party entitled to the same, (b) all documents shall be returned by each party to the other party that delivered the same, and (c) all copies of all Property Documents provided to Purchaser by Seller shall be returned to Seller, whereupon the parties will have no continuing liability to each other except to the extent expressly stated in any provision of this Agreement.

 

11.          POST-CLOSING PURCHASER OBLIGATIONS

 

11.1.        Definitions . For purposes of this Section 11 , the following definitions shall apply:

 

(i)          “Compliance Completion Event” means receipt by Purchaser and delivery to Seller of written confirmation, reasonably satisfactory to Seller, by both the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) approving the completion of the Site Remediation Measures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that, despite commercially reasonable efforts, Purchaser is not able to obtain from EPA and/or DEEP such written confirmation approving the completion of the Site Remediation Measures, Purchaser may deliver to Seller a written opinion prepared by an Environmental Professional licensed under Section 22a-133v of the Connecticut General Statutes (or successor thereto) (a “Licensed Environmental Professional”) reasonably acceptable to Seller that the Site Remediation Measures have been completed, upon which opinion Seller shall be legally entitled to rely on terms reasonably acceptable to Seller and at no cost to Seller. The delivery to Seller of such opinion shall constitute a Compliance Completion Event.

 

(ii)         “Environment” means soil, soil vapor, stream or pond sediment, surface water, groundwater and air, and any other environmental medium.

 

(iii)        “Environmental Conditions” means any Release of Hazardous Substances as described in the Property Documents, to the extent that such Release exceeds any applicable criterion set forth in the Connecticut Remediation Standard Regulations (Sections 22a-133k-1 through 22a-133k-3 ofthe Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies) (the “RSRs”), and/or any noncompliance with any applicable Environmental Law, including, but not limited to, the unauthorized use of, or leaching, migration or disposal of, PCBs in or from the Improvements. Environmental Conditions shall also include any such condition discovered after Closing.

 

  19  

 

 

(iv)        “Hazardous Substances” means any and all substances (whether solid, liquid or gas) defined, listed, or otherwise classified as pollutants, contaminants, hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, hazardous materials, toxic materials, extremely hazardous substances, or words of similar meaning or regulatory effect under any present or future Environmental Laws or that may have a negative impact on human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, petroleum and petroleum-based products, asbestos and asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls (“PCBs”), lead-based paint, radon, radioactive materials, flammables and explosives.

 

(v)         “Investigation and Compliance Costs” means all costs and expenses hereafter required to be incurred for (A) the performance of the Site Remediation Measures, and (B) the services of one or more environmental consultants, and such other contractors, consultants, engineers, suppliers and other professionals or entities (including attorneys) engaged to provide goods and services relating to the Site Remediation Measures.

 

(vi)        “Release” means any actual or threatened spilling, leaking, pumping, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, dumping or disposing of Hazardous Substances into the Environment.

 

(vii)       “Site Remediation Measures” means all actions required to assess, investigate, contain, treat, monitor, clean-up, remove, remediate or in any other way address Environmental Conditions at the Property and render the Property compliant with applicable Environmental Laws, including, but not limited to the RSRs, to the extent the RSRs are applicable to such Environmental Conditions.

 

11.2.        Responsibility for Existing Environmental Conditions . Purchaser acknowledges that certain Environmental Conditions exist on the Property, including, without limitation, the presence of PCBs in certain of the Improvements and Land (the “PCB Conditions”), and that, in connection with the PCB Conditions, Seller, on or about March 10, 2017, filed with DEEP a Notification of Significant Environmental Hazard under Section 22a-6u of the Connecticut General Statutes (the “SEH Notification”) and, on February 23, 2017, DEEP issued to Seller Notice of Violation WSPCB017-001 (the “NOV”). Upon execution of this Agreement, Seller agrees that it will deliver all final sampling and analytic data assessment reports and regulatory submittals in its possession relating to the PCB Conditions, the SEH Notification and the NOV as part of the Property Documents. The parties agree that the Purchase Price and other conditions of this Agreement were established based upon the understanding that Purchaser will assume full responsibility for all Environmental Conditions at the Property, including the PCB Conditions, as of the Closing Date, and that Purchaser will diligently and in a timely manner complete the Site Remediation Measures to effect a Compliance Completion Event. Accordingly, from and after Closing, Purchaser shall assume all liabilities, duties and responsibilities imposed by or arising under applicable Environmental Laws with respect to the Property, including, but not limited to, (i) formally assuming responsibility to DEEP for compliance with and closure of the NOV and SEH Notification, and (ii) implementing the Site Remediation Measures. Purchaser shall promptly commence and diligently perform the Site Remediation Measures and any other obligations required by DEEP and/or EPA with respect to the Environmental Conditions, and shall be solely responsible for and pay all Investigation and Compliance Costs. Until a Compliance Completion Event has occurred, Purchaser shall provide to Seller on a quarterly basis, on the last business day of each calendar quarter, a report describing the status of Site Remediation Measures completed as of such date and identifying the aggregate Investigation and Compliance Costs incurred as of such date, in such reasonable detail as the parties shall agree. In addition, Purchaser will provide to Seller, promptly after delivery or receipt, as the case may be, copies of all communications with DEEP, EPA or any other federal, state or local governmental or regulatory authority relating to the Environmental Conditions at the Property, until such time as a Compliance Completion Event has occurred.

 

  20  

 

 

11.3.        Transfer Act Obligations . The parties hereby agree that neither the Property nor Seller's business operations thereon is an “Establishment,” as said term is defined in the Connecticut Transfer Act, Sections 22a-134 through 22a-134c of the Connecticut General Statutes (“Transfer Act”). Notwithstanding the foregoing and without limiting the provisions of Section 11.2 or 11.4 hereof, if, at any time hereafter, DEEP determines that the Property or Seller's business operation thereon is/was an “Establishment” under the Transfer Act (or similarly characterized under any successor statute, regulation or rule adopted or promulgated after the Effective Date that supersedes or amends the Transfer Act or enforces obligations coextensive with those extant 1;1nder the Transfer Act) (a “DEEP Transfer Act Determination”), Purchaser shall execute any and all forms necessary to comply with the Transfer Act including, without limitation, a Form III (or similar form) as “Transferee” and as the “Certifying Party,” and an Environmental Condition Assessment Form (or similar form) prepared by a Licensed Environmental Professional, and shall file such forms as required by law and shall pay all fees and costs associated with such filing and the preparation thereof. Seller shall sign the Form III (or similar form) as “Transferor.” Purchaser shall be solely responsible for any and all environmental investigation, remediation and monitoring of the Property and compliance with the Transfer Act or any successor statute, regulation or rule adopted or promulgated after the Effective Date that supersedes or amends the Transfer Act or enforces obligations coextensive with those extant under the Transfer Act (Purchaser's obligations under this Section 11.3 and under the Transfer Act, collectively, the “Purchaser's Transfer Act Obligations”) and Seller shall have no liability to Purchaser whatsoever for any costs associated with the environmental investigation, remediation or monitoring of the Property. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, nothing in this Section 11.3 , shall be deemed to modify any representation, covenant or condition of Purchaser set forth in this Agreement, nor shall it be deemed a waiver by Seller of any right or remedy available to Seller under this Agreement.

 

11.4.        Indemnification . Purchaser covenants and agrees, at its sole cost and expense, to protect, defend, indemnify, release and hold the Seller Related Parties (as defined in Section 5.4.4 ) harmless from and against any and all Losses (defined below) imposed upon or incurred by or asserted against the Seller Related Parties and directly or indirectly arising out of or in any way relating to any one or more of the following:

 

(a) any current or any future presence of any Environmental Conditions in, on, above, under or migrating to or from the Property;

 

  21  

 

 

(b) any activity by Purchaser, any affiliate, member, officer, employee, agent, representative, consultant or contractor of Purchaser (collectively, “Purchaser Parties”), or any tenant or other user of the Property, in connection with any actual, proposed or threatened use, treatment, storage, holding, existence, disposition, release, generation, production, manufacturing, processing, refining, control, management, abatement, removal, handling, transfer or transportation to or from the Property of any Hazardous Substances at any time located in, under, on, above, under or migrating to or from the Property;

 

(c) any present or future non-compliance with or violations of any applicable Environmental Laws (or permits issued pursuant to any Environmental Law) in connection with the Property or operations thereon;

 

(d) the imposition, recording or filing or the threatened imposition, recording or filing of any environmental lien encumbering some or all of the Property;

 

(e) any administrative processes or proceedings or judicial proceedings in any way connected with any matter addressed in this Agreement;

 

(t) any acts of Purchaser or any tenant or other user of the Property after Closing in arranging for disposal or treatment, or arranging with a transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of Hazardous Substances at any facility or incineration vessel containing such or similar Hazardous Substances;

 

(g) all Investigation and Compliance Costs;

 

(h) any DEEP Transfer Act Determination and/or the Purchaser Transfer Act Obligations; and

 

(i) without limiting clauses (a)-(h), all Losses attributable to, arising from or otherwise occurring in connection with the PCB Conditions and the remediation (or failure by Purchaser to remediate) thereof.

 

The term “Losses” includes any losses, damages, costs, fees, expenses, disbursements, claims, suits, judgments, awards, consequential damages, liabilities (including but not limited to strict liabilities), obligations, debts, fines, penalties, charges, costs of Site Remediation Measures and other environmental remediation (whether or not performed voluntarily), amounts paid in settlement, litigation costs, reasonable attorneys' fees, engineers' fees, environmental consultants' fees, and investigation costs (including but not limited to costs for sampling, testing and analysis of soil, water, air, building materials, and other materials and substances whether solid, liquid or gas), of whatever kind or nature. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 11.4, Purchaser shall not be obligated to indemnify Seller or any Seller Related Parties for Losses arising from any intentional misconduct of Seller or any Seller Related Party, provided that nothing in this sentence shall limit Purchaser's indemnification obligations with respect to the PCB Conditions.

 

  22  

 

 

11.5.        Remediation Letter of Credit . In order to ensure that Purchaser performs its obligations to remediate the Environmental Conditions and has sufficient resources to reimburse Seller for any amounts incurred by Seller in satisfaction of the deductibles or the self-insured retention under the Environmental Policy required under Section 11.6 hereof, Purchaser shall deliver to Seller at Closing (a) a letter of credit (the “Remediation Letter of Credit”) or (b) other financial assurance, in a form reasonably acceptable to Seller, of Purchaser's ability to fulfill and comply with its obligations under Section 11 . The Remediation Letter of Credit shall remain in place until the later of (x) achievement of the Compliance Completion Event, or (y) expiration of the Environmental Policy. The Remediation Letter of Credit shall (i) be addressed to Seller, (ii) be in the amount equal to the lesser of (A) Eight Million and No/100 Dollars ($8,000,000.00) or (B) such amount as is provided in a written remediation plan, the form and substance of which is approved by Seller in its reasonable discretion, from a remediation contractor acceptable to Seller for the full remediation of all existing Environmental Conditions at the Property, (iii) be for an initial period of no less than 365 days, with an evergreen provision by which the Remediation Letter of Credit shall automatically renew for additional periods of 365 days unless the issuer thereof gives at least thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Seller and Purchaser that the Letter of Credit will terminate at the end of the current period, (iv) not be subject to any conditions to payment other than submission by Seller of a draw request (with a copy sent to Purchaser) stating (A) that Purchaser has defaulted on its obligation to diligently and in a timely manner complete the Site Remediation Measures and achieve a Compliance Completion Event, which default may, but not need be, evidenced by correspondence from, or an enforcement response by, either EPA or DEEP alleging that Purchaser (or Seller derivatively through the NOV or SEH Notification) has failed to comply with any applicable Environmental Law or plan submitted to or approved by EPA, DEEP or a Licensed Environmental Professional relative to the Environmental Conditions, or (B) that Purchaser has failed to promptly reimburse Seller for any amounts incurred by Seller in satisfaction of the deductibles or the self-insured retention under the Environmental Policy, or (C) that such letter of credit will be expiring within ten (10) days, and Purchaser has failed to replace such letter of credit with a comparable letter of credit reasonably acceptable to Seller. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except with respect to a draw under clause (C) of the immediately preceding sentence, Seller shall not submit a draw request to the issuer of the Remediation Letter of Credit until Seller has provided Purchaser a notice of default, and Purchaser has failed to cure such default within, as to a default described in clause (A) of the immediately preceding sentence, sixty (60) days, and, as to a default under clause (B) of the immediately preceding sentence, ten (10) days. In the event that the issuer of the Remediation Letter of Credit provides notice that such letter of credit will expire at the end of its current term, then Purchaser shall obtain and deliver to Seller a replacement letter of credit on terms comparable to the Remediation Letter of Credit and reasonably acceptable to Seller no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of such expiration. Any such replacement letter of credit shall be for a term no less than 365 days and shall contain an evergreen provision. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the achievement of the Compliance Completion Event, Purchaser may reduce the amount of the Remediation Letter of Credit to the amount of the deductibles or the self-insured retention, as applicable, under the Environmental Policy, as such amount is reasonably determined by Seller and Purchaser.

 

  23  

 

 

11.6.      Environmental Insurance . The parties acknowledge and agree that, on or about the Closing Date, a site-specific environmental pollution legal liability (PLL) insurance policy will be bound in conjunction with the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement (the “Environmental Policy”) pursuant to the terms of this Section 11.6 . At a minimum, the Environmental Policy will: (i) provide coverage for cleanup obligations and third party claims (e.g., bodily injury and property damage) resulting from unknown existing Environmental Conditions; (ii) identify the University of Connecticut as first named insured and the State of Connecticut as a named insured; (iii) have a term of at least five (5) years; (iv) provide limits of coverage and deductibles or self-insured retentions in amounts satisfactory to Seller in the exercise of its reasonable business judgement; and (v) be provided or issued by a solvent and responsible insurance company licensed to do business in the State of Connecticut. Seller shall provide Purchaser with the Environmental Policy for Purchaser's review and approval prior to the Closing Date, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, denied or delayed. The parties agree that Purchaser will be solely responsible for payment of the premium of the Environmental Policy, including any associated filing fees and taxes, up to a maximum amount of $250,000 (the “Premium Cap”), and that such payment shall be made by Purchaser at or prior to the Closing Date. Satisfaction of any deductibles or self-insured retention associated with the Environmental Policy shall be the responsibility of Purchaser, and shall be secured by the Remediation Letter of Credit. In the event that an Environmental Policy is not available at a cost equal to or less than the Premium Cap, and on satisfactory terms, Seller shall have the choice, in its sole discretion, to (i) waive the requirement of the Environmental Policy and proceed to Closing with no adjustment in the Purchase Price, (ii) pay the portion of the premium for the Environmental Policy above the Premium Cap and proceed to Closing with no adjustment to the Purchase Price, or (iii) terminate this Agreement, in which case the Deposit shall be returned to Purchaser. The parties agree that the failure of Purchaser to perform in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.6 would constitute a material breach of the terms of this Agreement.

 

11.7.        Survival . The parties agree that the terms of this Section 11 shall survive Closing indefinitely.

 

12.         NOTICES. Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder may be served by a party or its attorney (on behalf of such party) and must be in writing and shall be deemed to be given when (a) hand delivered, (b) one (1) business day after pickup for overnight delivery by United Parcel Service or Federal Express, or another similar overnight express service, (c) transmitted by telecopy or facsimile, provided that confirmation of the receipt of same is noted upon transmission of same by the sender's telecopy machine, and a counterpart of such notice is also delivered pursuant to one of the two manners specified in Sections 12(a) or 12(b) above, or (d) transmitted by signed email attachment (e.g. “.pdf” or “.tif”) delivery of which shall be deemed given upon receipt by the intended recipient confirmed back to the transmitting party by either a “delivery receipt” or “read receipt”, provided that a counterpart of such notice is also delivered pursuant to one of the two manners specified in Sections 12(a) or 12(b) above, in each case addressed to the parties at their respective addresses set forth below:

 

  24  

 

 

If to Seller :             The University of Connecticut
Office of the General Counsel
343 Mansfield Road, Unit 1177
Storrs, Connecticut 06269-1177
Attention: Richard F. Orr, Esq.
Telephone: (959) 200-3903
Email: richard.orr@uconn.edu

 

With copies to:       Shipman & Goodwin LLP
One Constitution Plaza
Hartford, CT 06103
Attention: William G. Rock, Esq.
Telephone: (860) 251-5121
E-mail: wrock@goodwin.com

 

If to Purchaser :       Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.
55 Broadway, 19 th Floor
New York, New York 10007
Attention: Richard Frankel, Esq.
Telephone: (646) 879-9164
Email: rfrankel@rmfcmc. com

 

With a copy to:       William Butler, Esq.
44 Church Street
West Haven, CT 06516
Telephone: (203) 932-6336 (ext. 12)
Email: wbutler@scctlaw. com

 

or in each case to such other address as either party may from time to time designate by giving notice in writing pursuant to this Section 12 to the other party. Telephone numbers are for informational purposes only. Effective notice will be deemed given only as provided above, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement.

 

13.          MISCELLANEOUS.

 

13.1.        Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with the Schedules and Exhibits attached hereto, all of which are incorporated by reference, is the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and no alteration, modification or interpretation hereof shall be binding unless in writing and signed by both parties and approved by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut. This Agreement supersedes in its entirety any other agreement (written or verbal) entered into by the parties with respect to the Property.

 

  25  

 

 

13.2.        Severability . If any provision of this Agreement or its application to any party or circumstances shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid and unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such provision to such person or circumstances, other than those as to which it is so determined invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision hereof shall be valid and shall be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

13.3.        Assignability . Purchaser may not directly or indirectly assign or transfer any of its rights, obligations or interests under this Agreement to any person or entity without the prior written consent or approval of Seller; provided, however that Seller hereby consents to Purchaser's assignment of all of Purchaser's rights, obligations and interests under this Agreement to an entity which owned and controlled by Purchaser, so long as notice of such assignment and a copy of the related assignment documentation is provided not less than five (5) days prior to the Closing Date. Upon any such assignment or other transfer, Purchaser and such assignee or transferee shall be jointly and severally liable for the obligations of Purchaser under this Agreement, which liability shall survive the assignment or transfer and the Closing.

 

13.4.        Successors Bound . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Purchaser and Seller and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

13.5.        No Public Disclosure . The parties acknowledge that' this Agreement shall not be effective until it is approved or authorized by the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut and approved by the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut. Purchaser and Seller agree that neither party will voluntarily disclose or issue a press release or other form of dissemination of information to the media about this Agreement until after the Agreement is effective. Once the Agreement is effective, the parties will collaborate in good faith on the timing and manner of disclosing the sale of the Property to the media. Purchaser will give Seller reasonable prior notice of all press releases or other dissemination of information to the media or responses to requests from the media for information relating to the transaction contemplated herein, and Seller shall have an opportunity to comment on the same.

 

13.6.       Captions; Interpretation . The captions in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit or describe the scope of this Agreement or the scope or content of any of its provisions. Whenever the context may require, words used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding feminine, masculine, or neuter forms, and the singular shall include the plural and vice versa. Unless the context expressly indicates otherwise, all references to “Section” are to sections of this Agreement.

 

13.7.        No Partnership . Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to create a partnership or joint venture between the parties or their successors in interest or permitted assigns.

 

13.8.        RESERVED .

 

  26  

 

 

13.9.        Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed and delivered in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement in portable document format (“.pdf”) or by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed original counterpart of this Agreement.

 

13.10.      Recordation . Purchaser and Seller agree not to record this Agreement or any memorandum hereof with the Town Clerk of West Hartford or in any other public recording office.

 

13.11.     Proper Execution . This Agreement shall have no binding force and effect on either party unless and until both Purchaser and Seller shall have executed and delivered this Agreement and it has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut.

 

13.12.      Waiver . No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision contained herein shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No extension of time for the performance of any obligation or act shall be deemed an extension of time for the performance of any other obligation or act.

 

13.13.      Business Days . If any date herein set forth for the performance of any obligations by Seller or Purchaser or for the delivery of any instrument or notice as herein provided should fall on a Saturday, Sunday or Legal Holiday (defined below), the compliance with such obligations or delivery shall be deemed acceptable on the next business day following such Saturday, Sunday or Legal Holiday. As used herein, the term Legal Holiday shall mean any day on which state offices in the State of Connecticut are not open for business.

 

13.14.      Limitation of Liability . No present or future partner, director, officer, member, shareholder, employee, advisor, affiliate, servicer or agent of or in Seller, Purchaser or any affiliate of any of the foregoing will have any personal liability, directly or indirectly, under or in connection with this Agreement or any agreement made or entered into under or in connection with the provisions of this Agreement, or any amendment or amendments to any of the foregoing made at any time or times, heretofore or hereafter. The limitations of liability contained in this paragraph will survive the termination of this Agreement or the Closing, as applicable, and are in addition to, and not in limitation of, any limitation on liability applicable to either party provided elsewhere in this Agreement or by law or by any other contract, agreement or instrument. In no event will Seller or Purchaser be liable for any consequential, exemplary or punitive damages under any circumstances in connection with this Agreement or the transaction contemplated hereby.

 

  27  

 

 

13.15.      Prohibited Persons and Transactions . Purchaser represents and warrants that: (i) Purchaser is not a Prohibited Person (defined below); (ii) none of its investors, affiliates or brokers or other agents (if any), acting or benefiting in any capacity in connection with this Agreement is a Prohibited Person; (iii) the funds or other assets Purchaser will transfer to Seller under this Agreement are not the property of, or beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by a Prohibited Person; and (iv) the funds or other assets Purchaser will transfer to Seller under this Agreement are not the proceeds of specified unlawful activity as defined by 18 U.S.C. § 1956(c)(7). Prohibited Person means any of the following: (a) a person or entity that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing (effective September 24, 2001) (the Executive Order ”); (b) a person or entity owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of any person or entity that is listed in the Annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (c) a person or entity that is named as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person” on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (“ OFAC ) at its official website, http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac; (d) a person or entity that is otherwise the target of any economic sanctions program currently administered by OFAC; or (e) a person or entity that is affiliated with any person or entity identified in clause (a), (b), (c) and/or (d) above. Purchaser agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Seller and each Seller Related Party harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, risks, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney's fees and costs) arising from or related to any breach of the foregoing representations and warranties. The foregoing representations and related indemnification obligations shall survive Closing and any termination of this Agreement.

 

13.16.      Confidentiality . Except for Seller's disclosure to the Town, and subject to the immediately succeeding paragraphs and as required by law, the parties agree to keep all Confidential Information (defined below) confidential and not to disclose or reveal any Confidential Information to any person other than their respective representatives, and, in such case, only on a “need to know” basis. The parties shall undertake commercially reasonable efforts to safeguard and protect the confidentiality of any Confidential Information. Each party shall not disclose any Confidential Information to any of its representatives unless such representatives have been informed of the confidential nature of such information and have agreed to act in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Section 13.16. Except as otherwise provided herein, each party acknowledges and agrees that all negotiations regarding this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein shall be treated as confidential.

 

13.16.1       Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, Purchaser acknowledges that all information, documentation and materials associated with this Agreement in the possession of the Seller, including documents received from Purchaser, are subject to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). Under FOIA, if a member of the public requests documents in Seller's possession, Seller is required by law to disclose the documents, subject to certain exemptions. Any information submitted to Seller that Purchaser considers Confidential Information shall be clearly labeled “CONFIDENTIAL” when Purchaser submits the same to the Seller, but Seller provides no assurance whether any such submitted information shall be legally exempt from release pursuant to FOIA. Seller will use reasonable efforts not to disclose, and to notify Purchaser of any requests Seller receives to disclose, any information so marked that Seller deems to be exempt from public disclosure under FOIA. However, in the event of a request for such information, Purchaser, at its costs and expense, will be solely responsible for contesting the disclosure of such information pursuant to FOIA. Purchaser will be responsible for intervening in, and/or petitioning to be a party to (i) any appeal before the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission as permitted by FOIA and the regulations promulgated thereunder, and (ii) any judicial proceedings. Seller may determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not to appear or participate in any hearing or proceeding.

 

  28  

 

 

13.16.2       In the event that Purchaser receives any demand, order or other legal process compelling disclosure of Confidential Information concerning Seller or the Property, Purchaser shall promptly notify Seller in writing prior to making any disclosure in order to afford Seller the opportunity, at Seller's sole cost and expenses, to take legal action opposing such disclosure.

 

13.16.3       Disclosure by either Purchaser or Seller of any Confidential Information in any instance shall not relieve such party from its obligation to adhere to the confidentiality obligations imposed by this Agreement in all other instances and for all other purposes.

 

13.16.4       The term “Confidential Information” shall be deemed to include all information concerning Seller, Purchaser or the Property (whether obtained in connection with any Inspections, due diligence exercise or otherwise) which is furnished to Seller, Purchaser or any of their respective representatives, clients, directors, officers, employees, affiliates, brokers, principals, agents, and advisors (each, an “Interested Party” ), by or on behalf of Purchaser or Seller, as the case may be, including any notes, analyses, compilations, studies, interpretations and other documents prepared by Seller, Purchaser or an Interested Party from the information furnished to it by Purchaser or Seller, as the case may be, together with any information gathered in connection with any investigation of the Property by Seller, Purchaser or any of their respective Interested Parties, provided that Confidential Information does not include information (i) which is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure in violation of this Agreement, (ii) is lawfully obtained or obtainable from a source other than Seller, Purchaser or an Interested Party, provided such source is not known by the other party or its related Interested Parties to be bound by contract, law, or fiduciary obligation not to disclose such information, or (iii) information independently developed or prepared by Seller, Purchaser or an Interested Party.

 

13.16.5       This Section 13.16 shall survive Closing or the termination of this Agreement.

 

13.17.      Forum and Choice of Law . The parties deem the Agreement to have been made in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut. The parties agree that it is fair and reasonable for the validity and construction of the Agreement to be, and it shall be, governed by the laws and court decisions of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws. To the extent that any immunities provided by Federal law or the laws of the State of Connecticut do not bar an action against the Seller, and to the extent that these courts are courts of competent jurisdiction, for the purpose of venue, the complaint shall be made returnable to the Judicial District of Hartford only or shall be brought in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut only, and shall not be transferred to any other court, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement constitutes a waiver or compromise of the sovereign immunity of the State of Connecticut. Purchaser waives any objection which it may now have or will have to the laying of venue of any claims in any forum and further irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction in any suit, action or proceeding.

 

  29  

 

 

13.18       Sovereign Immunity . Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a modification, compromise or waiver by Seller of any rights or defenses of any immunities provided by Federal law or the laws of the State of Connecticut to the State of Connecticut or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, officers and employees, which they may have had, now have or will have with respect to all matters arising out of this Agreement. To the extent that this section conflicts with any other section, this section shall govern.

 

13.19.      Addenda . Attached to this Agreement as Schedule 13.19 are certain required State of Connecticut contract provisions, which are incorporated into and made a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. Such contract provisions, as well as Section 13 generally, shall remain in effect for so long as any obligations under this Agreement remain to be performed, including, without limitation, under Section 11 hereof.

 

13.20.      Third Party Claims . Except as provided in Section 11 or Section 5.4 , or as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Purchaser has not agreed to take responsibility for third party claims against Seller, whether known or unknown, accruing (i) prior to Closing and arising from Seller's ownership and operation of the Property, or (ii) post-Closing with respect to Seller's occupancy and continuing use of a portion of the Property in accordance with Section 6.5 hereof. By way of example, Purchaser is not assuming responsibility for a slip and fall claim by a third party against Seller accruing prior to Closing. At Closing, Seller will provide Purchaser with a written list of any such third party claims that have been asserted or threatened in writing. Nothing in this Section 13.20 shall limit, reduce or modify any of Purchaser's obligations and agreements set forth in Section 11 or Section 5.4 .

 

13.21       Economic Assistance and Collaboration . The parties acknowledge that Purchaser has sought economic assistance from various agencies or instrumentalities of the State of Connecticut in connection with establishing a business presence in the State. Purchaser and Seller have also discussed opportunities for collaboration in technology, engineering and other matters. The parties agree that the transfer of the Property pursuant to this Agreement is independent of, and in no way conditional upon, any such economic assistance or collaboration.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

  30  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Purchaser and Seller have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

  SELLER:
  THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
  ACTING BY AND THROUGH
  THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
     
  By: /s/ Scott A. Jordan
  Name: Scott A. Jordan
  Title: Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer
   
  PURCHASER:
  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Robert Benya
  Name: Robert Benya
  Title: President

 

APPROVED:

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    
Date:    

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1.1

 

Real Property Description

 

All those certain pieces or parcels of land, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Hartford, County ofHartford, and State of Connecticut, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit:

 

PARCEL 1:

 

SOUTHERLY:   by Asylum Avenue, 1303.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY:   by Lots Number 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22,21 and 20 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Map of Sunny Slope Property of Sunny Slope Inc. West Hartford, Conn. Scale 1" = 100' Nov. 1927 F.B. Chamberlin C.E.” 955.31 feet;
     
NORTHERLY:   by a portion of Lot 14 and all of Lots 15 and 16 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Property ofThomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hartford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng’r.”, 237.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY AGAIN:   by Lot 16 on said Map entitled “Property ofThomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hmiford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng’r.”, 157.74 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN:   by Lawler Road, 763.87 feet;
     
NORTH-EASTERLY:   by the curve connecting Lawler Road and Trout Brook Drive, 27.08 feet;
     
EASTERLY:   by Trout Brook Drive, 1389.33 feet;
     
SOUTH-EASTERLY:   by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Asylum A venue, 31.42 feet.
     
PARCEL2:    
     
SOUTHERLY:   by Asylum Avenue, 560.83 feet;
     
SOUTH-WESTERLY:   by the curve connecting Asylum A venue and Trout Brook Drive, 31.42 feet;

 

  32  

 

 

WESTERLY:   by Trout Brook Drive, 1362.81 feet;
     
NORTH-WESTERLY:   by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Lawler Road, 48.24 feet;
     
NORTHERLY:   by Lawler Road, 760.85 feet;
     
EASTERLY:   by Lot 12 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1" = 40' Sept. 1943 Batchelor & Barker Eng'rs.” 144.3 7 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN:   by Lot 12 and a portion of Lot 10 on said Map entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1" = 40' Sept. 1943 Batchelor & Barker Eng'rs.”, 124.54 feet;
     
EASTERLY AGAIN:   by land now or formerly of Saint Joseph College Corporation, 1443.47 feet.

 

All as shown on a Map to be filed in the Town Clerk's Office of said Town of West Hartford, Connecticut entitled “Property Proposed To Be Conveyed From Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Co. to State of Connecticut Asylum Ave., Trout Brook Dr. & Lawler Rd. West Hartford Connecticut Scale 1” = 100' April 1961 F. Perry Close Civil Engineer”.

 

Less and excepting therefrom all that certain real property set forth in a Transfer of Custody and Control from the University of Connecticut to the Department of Environmental Protection, of the State of Connecticut dated December 9, 1980 and recorded March 11, 1981 in Volume 765 at Page 102 of the West Hartford Land Records.

 

  33  

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.2

 

WIRE TRANSFER INSTRUCTIONS

 

Account Name: State of Connecticut, Block Pending, Cash Management Division
Bank Name/Address: Bank of America, Hartford, CT 06103
Account Number: 000054763
Routing and Transit Number for Wire payments (ABA):    026009593
Amount to Transfer $520,000.00
Reference Line: KFS Account: 4297250
Contact Person: Kimberley Rourke, Acctg Office, University of CT
SWIFT/BIC: BOFAUS3N
CHIPS: 0959

 

  34  

 

 

SCHEDULE 3.4

 

Title Insurance Commitment

 

  35  

 

 

 

 

 

Commitment

ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance

 

ISSUED BY

 

First American Title Insurance Company

 

COMMITMENT FOR TITLE INSURANCE

 

Issued By

 

FIRST AMERICAN TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY

 

NOTICE

 

IMPORTANT-READ CAREFULLY: THIS COMMITMENT IS AN OFFER TO ISSUE ONE OR MORE TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES. ALL CLAIMS OR REMEDIES SOUGHT AGAINST THE COMPANY INVOLVING THE CONTENT OF THIS COMMITMENT OR THE POLICY MUST BE BASED SOLELY IN CONTRACT.

 

THIS COMMITMENT IS NOT AN ABSTRACT OF TITLE, REPORT OF THE CONDITION OF TITLE, LEGAL OPINION, OPINION OF TITLE, OR OTHER REPRESENTATION OF THE STATUS OF TITLE. THE PROCEDURES USED BY THE COMPANY TO DETERMINE INSURABILITY OF THE TITLE, INCLUDING ANY SEARCH AND EXAMINATION, ARE PROPRIETARY TO THE COMPANY, WERE PERFORMED SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY, AND CREATE NO EXTRACONTRACTUAL LIABILITY TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING A PROPOSED INSURED.

 

THE COMPANY’S OBLIGATION UNDER THIS COMMITMENT IS TO ISSUE A POLICY TO A PROPOSED INSURED IDENTIFIED IN SCHEDULE A IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS COMMITMENT. THE COMPANY HAS NO LIABILITY OR OBLIGATION INVOLVING THE CONTENT OF THIS COMMITMENT TO ANY OTHER PERSON.

 

COMMITMENT TO ISSUE POLICY

 

Subject to the Notice; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and the Commitment Conditions, First American Title Insurance Company , a Nebraska Corporation (the “Company”), commits to issue the Policy according to the terms and provisions of this Commitment. This Commitment is effective as of the Commitment Date shown in Schedule A for each Policy described in Schedule A, only when the Company has entered in Schedule A both the specified dollar amount as the Proposed Policy Amount and the name of the Proposed Insured.

 

If all of the Schedule B, Part I—Requirements have not been met within six months after the Commitment Date, this Commitment terminates and the Company’s liability and obligation end.

 

First American Title Insurance Company

 

/s/ Dennis J. Gilmore  
Dennis J. Gilmore, President  
   
/s/ Jeffrey S. Robinson  
Jeffrey S. Robinson, Secretary  

 

If this jacket was created electronically, it constitutes an original document

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

 

Form 5030000 (1-31-17)            Page  1  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)

 

 

COMMITMENT CONDITIONS

 

1. DEFINITIONS

 

(a) “Knowledge” or “Known”: Actual or imputed knowledge, but not constructive notice imparted by the Public Records.
(b) “Land”: The land described in Schedule A and affixed improvements that by law constitute real property. The term “Land” does not include any property beyond the lines of the area described in Schedule A, nor any right, title, interest, estate, or easement in abutting streets, roads, avenues, alleys, lanes, ways, or waterways, but this does not modify or limit the extent that a right of access to and from the Land is to be insured by the Policy.
(c) “Mortgage”: A mortgage, deed of trust, or other security instrument, including one evidenced by electronic means authorized by law.
(d) “Policy”: Each contract of title insurance, in a form adopted by the American Land Title Association, issued or to be issued by the Company pursuant to this Commitment.
(e) “Proposed Insured”: Each person identified in Schedule A as the Proposed Insured of each Policy to be issued pursuant to this Commitment.
(f) “Proposed Policy Amount”: Each dollar amount specified in Schedule A as the Proposed Policy Amount of each Policy to be issued pursuant to this Commitment.
(g) “Public Records”: Records established under state statutes at the Commitment Date for the purpose of imparting constructive notice of matters relating to real property to purchasers for value and without Knowledge.
(h) “Title”: The estate or interest described in Schedule A.

 

2. If all of the Schedule B, Part I—Requirements have not been met within the time period specified in the Commitment to Issue Policy, this Commitment terminates and the Company’s liability and obligation end.

 

3. The Company’s liability and obligation is limited by and this Commitment is not valid without:

 

(a) the Notice;
(b) the Commitment to Issue Policy;
(c) the Commitment Conditions;
(d) Schedule A;
(e) Schedule B, Part I—Requirements;
(f) Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and
(g) a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

 

4. COMPANY’S RIGHT TO AMEND

 

The Company may amend this Commitment at any time. If the Company amends this Commitment to add a defect, lien, encumbrance, adverse claim, or other matter recorded in the Public Records prior to the Commitment Date, any liability of the Company is limited by Commitment Condition 5. The Company shall not be liable for any other amendment to this Commitment.

 

5. LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

 

(a) The Company’s liability under Commitment Condition 4 is limited to the Proposed Insured's actual expense incurred in the interval between the Company’s delivery to the Proposed Insured of the Commitment and the delivery of the amended Commitment, resulting from the Proposed Insured's good faith reliance to:
(i) comply with the Schedule B, Part I—Requirements;
(ii) eliminate, with the Company’s written consent, any Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; or
(iii) acquire the Title or create the Mortgage covered by this Commitment.

(b) The Company shall not be liable under Commitment Condition 5(a) if the Proposed Insured requested the amendment or had Knowledge of the matter and did not notify the Company about it in writing.
(c) The Company will only have liability under Commitment Condition 4 if the Proposed Insured would not have incurred the expense had the Commitment included the added matter when the Commitment was first delivered to the Proposed Insured.
(d) The Company’s liability shall not exceed the lesser of the Proposed Insured's actual expense incurred in good faith and described in Commitment Conditions 5(a)(i) through 5(a)(iii) or the Proposed Policy Amount.
(e) The Company shall not be liable for the content of the Transaction Identification Data, if any.
(f) In no event shall the Company be obligated to issue the Policy referred to in this Commitment unless all of the Schedule B, Part I—Requirements have been met to the satisfaction of the Company.
(g) In any event, the Company’s liability is limited by the terms and provisions of the Policy.

 

6. LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY MUST BE BASED ON THIS COMMITMENT

 

(a) Only a Proposed Insured identified in Schedule A, and no other person, may make a claim under this Commitment.
(b) Any claim must be based in contract and must be restricted solely to the terms and provisions of this Commitment.

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

  

Form 5030000 (1-31-17)            Page  2  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)

 

 

(c) Until the Policy is issued, this Commitment, as last revised, is the exclusive and entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Commitment and supersedes all prior commitment negotiations, representations, and proposals of any kind, whether written or oral, express or implied, relating to the subject matter of this Commitment.
(d) The deletion or modification of any Schedule B, Part II—Exception does not constitute an agreement or obligation to provide coverage beyond the terms and provisions of this Commitment or the Policy.
(e) Any amendment or endorsement to this Commitment must be in writing and authenticated by a person authorized by the Company.
(f) When the Policy is issued, all liability and obligation under this Commitment will end and the Company’s only liability will be under the Policy.

 

7. IF THIS COMMITMENT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY AN ISSUING AGENT

 

The issuing agent is the Company’s agent only for the limited purpose of issuing title insurance commitments and policies. The issuing agent is not the Company’s agent for the purpose of providing closing or settlement services.

 

8. PRO-FORMA POLICY

 

The Company may provide, at the request of a Proposed Insured, a pro-forma policy illustrating the coverage that the Company may provide. A pro-forma policy neither reflects the status of Title at the time that the pro-forma policy is delivered to a Proposed Insured, nor is it a commitment to insure.

 

9. ARBITRATION

 

The Policy contains an arbitration clause. All arbitrable matters when the Proposed Policy Amount is $2,000,000 or less shall be arbitrated at the option of either the Company or the Proposed Insured as the exclusive remedy of the parties. A Proposed Insured may review a copy of the arbitration rules at http://www.alta.org/arbitration .

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

 

Form 5030000 (1-31-17)            Page  3  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule A

ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance

 

ISSUED BY

 

First American Title Insurance Company

 

Transaction Identification Data for reference only:

Issuing Agent: William A Butler, Esq. Issuing Office:
ALTA® Universal ID: Loan ID No.:
Commitment No.: CTHART4020367 Issuing Office File No.:

Property Address: 1800 Asylum Avenue (Parcel 1), 1700 Asylum Avenue (Parcel 2) West Hartford, CT

Revision No.:

 

SCHEDULE A

 

1. Commitment Date: May 24, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m.

 

2. Policy or Policies to be issued:

(a) ¨ ALTA® Owner's Policy of Title Insurance (6-17-06)

¨ EAGLE Owner's Policy (2-3-10)

Proposed Insured:

Proposed Policy Amount: $

(b) ¨ ALTA® Loan Policy of Title Insurance (6-17-06)

¨ EAGLE Loan Policy (7-26-10)

Proposed Insured:

Proposed Policy Amount: $

(c) ¨ ____ ALTA® ___ Policy

Proposed Insured:

Proposed Policy Amount: $

 

3. The estate or interest in the Land described or referred to in this Commitment is Fee Simple. ___

 

4. Title to the fee simple estate or interest in the Land is at the Commitment Date vested in:

 

STATE OF CONNECTICUT (Parcels 1 and 2)

 

5. The Land is described as follows:

 

SEE SCHEDULE A, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

 

Form 5030009-A (5-18-17)            Page  4  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)
Connecticut – Schedule A

 

 

SCHEDULE A, PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

 

All those certain three parcels of land, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Hartford Country of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit:

 

PARCEL 1: A certain piece or parcel of land bounded and described as follows, to wit:

 

SOUTHERLY   by Asylum Avenue, 1303.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY   by Lots Number 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21 and 20 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk’s Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Map of Sunny Slope Property of Sunny Slope Inc. West Hartford, Conn. Scale 1”= 100’ Nov. 1927 F.B. Chamberlin C.E.” 955.31 feet;
     
NORTHERLY   by a portion of Lot 14 and all of Lots 15 and 16 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk’s office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hartford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng’r”, 237.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY AGAIN   by Lot 16 on said Map entitled “Property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hartford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng’r.,” 157.74 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN   by Lawler Road, 763.87 feet;
     
NORTHEASTERLY   by the curve connecting Lawler Road and Trout Brook Drive, 27.08 feet;
     
EASTERLY   by Trout Brook Drive, 1389.33 feet;
     
SOUTHEASTERLY   by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue, 31.42 feet;
     
PARCEL 2 :   A certain piece or parcel of land bounded and described as follows, to wit:
     
Southerly by Asylum Avenue, 560.83 feet;
     
SOUTHWESTERLY   by the curve connecting Asylum Avenue and Trout Brook Drive, 31.42 feet;
     
WESTERLY   by Trout Brook Drive, 1362.81 feet;
     
NORTHWESTERLY by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Lawyer Road, 48.24 feet;
     
NORTHERLY   by Lawler Road, 760.85 feet;
     
EASTERLY   by Lot 12 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk’s Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1” = 40’ Sept. 1943. Batchelor & Barker Eng’rs.” 144.37 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN   by Lot 12 and a portion of Lot 10 on said Map entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1” = 40’ Sept. 1943 Batchelor & Barker Eng’rs.”, 124.54 feet;
     
EASTERLY AGAIN   by land now or formerly of SaintJoseph College Corporation, 1443.47 feet;

 

All as shown on a Map to the filed immediately prior hereto in the Town Clerk’s Office of said Town of West Hartford, Connecticut entitled “Property Proposed To Be Conveyed From Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Co. to State of Connecticut Asylum Ave., Trout Brook Dr. & Lawler Rd. West Hartford Connecticut Scale 1” = 100’ April 1961 F. Perry Close Civil Engineer”.

 

Less and excepting therefrom all that certain real property set forth in a Transfer of Custody and Control from the University of Connecticut to the Department of Environmental Protection, of the State of Connecticut dated December 9, 1980 and recorded March 11, 1981 in Volume 765 at Page 102 of the West Hartford Land Records.

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

 

Form 5030009-A (5-18-17)            Page  5  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)
Connecticut – Schedule A

 

 

ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance

 

ISSUED BY

 

First American Title Insurance Company

Schedule BI & BII

 

Commitment No.: HART4020367

 

SCHEDULE B, PART I

 

Requirements

 

All of the following Requirements must be met:

 

1. The Proposed Insured must notify the Company in writing of the name of any party not referred to in this Commitment who will obtain an interest in the Land or who will make a loan on the Land. The Company may then make additional Requirements or Exceptions.

 

2. Pay the agreed amount for the estate or interest to be insured.

 

3. Pay the premiums, fees, and charges for the Policy to the Company.

 

4. Documents satisfactory to the Company that convey the Title or create the Mortgage to be insured, or both, must be properly authorized, executed, delivered, and recorded in the Public Records

 

5. The Seller/Borrower must execute the Company’s Owner's Affidavit

 

6. If there is a current survey of the Land, the Seller/Borrower must complete the survey update portion of the Company’s Owner's Affidavit. The survey must be submitted, and any adverse matters shown on the survey must be excepted on Schedule B.

 

7. If labor or materials have been supplied to the premises within the 90 days prior to and including the Date of Policy, or if labor and/or materials have been contracted for future construction or if any contractor has been hired for contemplated work, service or materials, the Company’s applicable affidavits, indemnities, subordinations and/or lien waiver forms must be fully completed and submitted prior to closing, all in accordance with the Company’s current underwriting standards and guidelines.

 

8. If there are tenants or parties in possession other than recorded leases shown in Schedule B, rights of those tenants and parties in possession must be excepted on Schedule B.

 

9. All municipal taxes, special tax district taxes, water and sewer use charges, and municipal and private association charges and/or assessments including common interest community common charges and special assessments must be paid current to date of policy.

 

10. Authority documentation for the transaction and the entities involved as may be required by the Company.

 

11. The matters set forth in the following exceptions must be paid and released of record at or prior to Date of Policy:

 

NONE.

 

12. The following requirements must be met at or prior to the Date of Policy:

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

  

Form 5030009-BI&BII (5-17-17)            Page  7  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)
Connecticut – Schedule BI & BII

 

 

 

ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance

 

ISSUED BY

 

First American Title Insurance Company

 

Schedule BI & BII

 

Commitment No.: HART4020367

 

SCHEDULE B, PART II

 

Exceptions

 

THIS COMMITMENT DOES NOT REPUBLISH ANY COVENANT, CONDITION, RESTRICTION, OR LIMITATION CONTAINED IN ANY DOCUMENT REFERRED TO IN THIS COMMITMENT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SPECIFIC COVENANT, CONDITION, RESTRICTION, OR LIMITATION VIOLATES STATE OR FEDERAL LAW BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, HANDICAP, FAMILIAL STATUS, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

 

The Policy will not insure against loss or damage resulting from the terms and provisions of any lease or easement identified in Schedule A, and will include the following Exceptions unless cleared to the satisfaction of the Company:

 

1. Any defect, lien, encumbrance, adverse claim, or other matter that appears for the first time in the Public Records or is created, attaches, or is disclosed between the Commitment Date and the date on which all of the Schedule B, Part I—Requirements are met.

 

2. Rights or claims of parties other than the insured in actual possession or under unrecorded leases of any or all of the land.

 

3. Easements or claims of easements not shown by the public records, encroachments, violations, variations or adverse circumstances affecting the Title that would be disclosed by an accurate survey of the Land.

 

4. Any lien or right to a lien, for services, labor or material heretofore or hereafter furnished, imposed by law and not shown by the public records.

 

5. Liens for taxes and assessments which become due and payable subsequent to date of policy.

 

6. Real Estate Taxes to the Town of West Hartford on the List of October 1, 2017, and thereafter. NOTE : The Property is currently tax exempt.

 

7. Water and sewer use charges as may be due The Metropolitan District. Please call (860) 278-7850.

 

8. Possible drainage rights if favor of Saint Joseph College Corporation as referenced in deed from Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company to the State of Connecticut dated June 27, 1961 and recorded in Volume 333 at Page 433 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 2)

 

9. Agreement by and between Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company and The Metropolitan District dated October 31, 1955 and recorded in Volume 285 at Page 144 of the West Hartford Land Records.

 

10. Easement in favor of the Town of West Hartford dated September 11, 1990 and recorded in Volume 1532 at Page 59 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 1)

 

11. Right of Entry in favor of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Town of West Hartford dated April 6, 1990 and recorded in Volume 1544 at Page 277 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 1)

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

  

Form 5030009-BI&BII (5-17-17)            Page  8  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)
Connecticut – Schedule BI & BII

 

 

12. Easement in favor of the Town of West Hartford dated July 9, 1991 and recorded in Volume 1622 at Page 134 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 3)

 

13. Connection Charge Agreement between the University of Connecticut and the Metropolitan District dated September 12, 2000 and recorded in Volume 2653 at Page 263 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 1)

 

14. Conditions of Special Use Permit granted by the West Hartford Town Plan and Zoning Commission dated July 17, 2006 and recorded in Volume 3975 at Page 201 of the West Hartford Land Records; as amended by Amendment dated and recorded March 24, 2009 in Volume 4377 at Page 363 of said Land Records; as amended by Amendment dated May 21, 2013 and recorded in Volume 4796 at Page 410 of said Land Records. (Affects Parcel 2)

 

15. Electric Distribution Easement in favor of The Connecticut Light and Power Company dated December 13, 2011 and recorded in Volume 4637 at Page 201 of the West Hartford Land Records. (Affects Parcel 1)

 

16. The following matters as shown on Map No. 1028 on file in the West Hartford Town Clerk's office:

 

a) 42” R.C. Pipe Storm Sewer (Affects Parcel 2);
b) 15” Cond. Outlet (Affects Parcel 2 ); and
c) Trout Brook running through the premises (Affects Parcels 1 and 2

 

This page is only a part of a 2016 ALTA ® Commitment for Title Insurance issued by First American Title Insurance Company. This Commitment is not valid without the Notice; the Commitment to Issue Policy; the Commitment Conditions; Schedule A; Schedule B, Part I—Requirements; Schedule B, Part II—Exceptions; and a counter-signature by the Company or its issuing agent that may be in electronic form.

  

Form 5030009-BI&BII (5-17-17)            Page  9  of 9 ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance (8-1-16)
Connecticut – Schedule BI & BII

 

 

SCHEDULE 3.5

 

Fence Contract

 

  36  

 

 

 

Cornerstone Fence &Ornamental Gate, LLC

266 Reservoir Ave

Meriden, CT 06451 US

(203) 237-4283

sharon.cfllc@gmail.com

www.cornerstonefence.info

 

INVOICE

 

BILL TO

Katie Milardo

Uconn Facilities Operation and

Building Services

25 Ledoyt Road- Unit 3252

Storrs, CT 06269

INVOICE #

DATE

DUE DATE

TERMS

76133

04/20/2018

04/20/2018

Due on receipt

 

 

SALES REP

SL

 

ACTIVITY   AMOUNT  
       
DAS contract #13PSX0250        
         
Includes the materials and labor necessary to install 3307 lineal feet of 6 foot high 11 1/2 gauge galvanized temporary fencing with driven posts every 10 feet according to revised plan and as discussed on site. Five -12 foot double swing gates with 3” posts set in concrete are included. The price is good for 12 months. If the fencing is needed beyond that time frame it would renew at the same cost. Removal is included. Cornerstone will mark the area out and contact CBYD. Work can be completed within 2 weeks ARO. Sincerely, Steve Litke        
         
Fencing Non-taxable     18,975.00  
3300 lineal feet of six foot high 11 1/2 gauge galvanized chain link with 2” posts every 10 feet @$5.75/ft        
         
Fencing Non-taxable     4,000.00  
5- 12-15 foot double swing gates with 3” posts @ $800.00 ea        
         
Fencing Non-taxable     675.00  
Compressor- 3 days at $225.00/day        
         
Fencing Non-taxable     13,350.00  
Labor 6 days 4 men @ $2,225.00/day        
         
Signed:        
Steven Litke        
PO# 187966        
WO# 180409-027998-003        
JOB COMPLETED 4/20/18        
         
Thank you for your business!                                BALANCE DUE   $ 37,000.00  

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 8.1.1

 

Form of Quitclaim Deed

 

  37  

 

 

SCHEDULE 8.1.1

 

Form of Quit Claim Deed

 

After recording, please return to:

_________________________

_________________________

_________________________

 

QUIT-CLAIM DEED

 

To All People to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting:

 

KNOW YE, that THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT, acting by and through _________________ (“Releasor”), for divers good causes and considerations thereunto moving, received to its full satisfaction of the SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation, having a business address of 55 Broadway, 19 th Floor, New York, NY 10007 (“Releasee”), has remised, released, and forever quit-claimed and does by these presents, for itself and its successors and assigns, justly and absolutely remise, release and forever QUIT-CLAIM unto it, the said Releasee, its successors and assigns forever, all such right and title as it, the said Releasor, has or ought to have in or to that certain piece or parcel of land with the improvements thereon and appurtenances thereto located in the Town of West Hartford, County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, more particularly described in Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Premises unto it, the said Releasee, and to its successors and assigns, to the only use and behoof of it, its successors and assigns forever, so that neither it, the said Releasor, nor any person or persons in its name and behalf, shall or will hereafter claim or demand any right or title to the Premises or any part thereof, but they and every one of them shall by these presents be excluded and forever barred.

 

The premises are a portion of those conveyed to the State of Connecticut by virtue of a Deed from Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company, dated June 27, 1961, and recorded in Volume 333 at Page 433 of the West Hartford Land Records.

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, it, Releasor, has hereunto caused its name to be set this __ day of ____, __.

 

Signed, Sealed and Delivered    
in the presence of:   THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT,
    Acting by and through
    The University of Connecticut
       
    By:  
       
      Its
      Duly Authorized
     
STATE OF CONNECTICUT )  
  ):   ss.   ____________ _______, ______
COUNTY OF HARTFORD )  

 

Personally Appeared, _____________________________, __________________________ of THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT, a constituent unit of the state system of public higher education of the State of Connecticut, signer and sealer of the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed as such __________________, and the free act and deed of said Releasor, before me.

 

   
  Notary Public
  My Commission Expires: _____________
  Commissioner of the Superior Court

 

APPROVED:

 

ATTORNEY GENERAL

OF THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

All those certain pieces or parcels of land, together with the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Hartford, County of Hartford, and State of Connecticut, more particularly bounded and described as follows, to wit:

 

PARCEL 1:

 

SOUTHERLY:   by Asylum Avenue, 1303.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY:   by Lots Number 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22,21 and 20 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Map of Sunny Slope Property of Sunny Slope Inc. West Hartford, Conn. Scale 1" = 100' Nov. 1927 F.B. Chamberlin C.E.” 955.31 feet;
     
NORTHERLY:   by a portion of Lot 14 and all of Lots 15 and 16 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hartford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng'r.”, 237.30 feet;
     
WESTERLY AGAIN:   by Lot 16 on said Map entitled “Property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. Lawler Road West Hartford, Conn. March 1951 Scale 1" = 100' P. Martelli Civil Eng'r.”, 157.74 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN:   by Lawler Road, 763.87 feet;
     
NORTH-EASTERLY:   by the curve connecting Lawler Road and Trout Brook Drive, 27.08 feet;
     
EASTERLY:   by Trout Brook Drive, 1389.33 feet;
     
SOUTH-EASTERLY:   by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue, 31.42 feet.
     
PARCEL 2:    
     
SOUTHERLY:   by Asylum Avenue, 560.83 feet;
     
SOUTH-WESTERLY:   by the curve connecting Asylum Avenue and Trout Brook Drive, 31.42 feet;
     
WESTERLY:   by Trout Brook Drive, 1362.81 feet;

 

 

 

 

NORTH-WESTERLY:   by the curve connecting Trout Brook Drive and Lawler Road, 48.24 feet;
     
NORTHERLY:   by Lawler Road, 760.85 feet;
     
EASTERLY:   by Lot 12 on a Map on file in the Town Clerk's Office in said Town of West Hartford entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1" = 40' Sept. 1943 Batchelor & Barker Eng'rs.” 144.37 feet;
     
NORTHERLY AGAIN:   by Lot 12 and a portion of Lot 10 on said Map entitled “Corrected Map of Dryads Grove Section A West Hartford, Conn. property of Thomas Lawler, Inc. 1" = 40' Sept. 1943 Batchelor & Barker Eng'rs.”, 124.54 feet;
     
EASTERLY AGAIN:   by land now or formerly of Saint Joseph College Corporation, 1443.47 feet.

 

All as shown on a Map to be filed in the Town Clerk's Office of said Town of West Hartford, Connecticut entitled “Property Proposed To Be Conveyed From Phoenix Mutual Life Ins. Co. to State of Connecticut Asylum Ave., Trout Brook Dr. & Lawler Rd. West Hartford Connecticut Scale 1” = 100' April1961 F. Perry Close Civil Engineer”.

 

Less and excepting therefrom all that certain real property set forth in a Transfer of Custody and Control from the University of Connecticut to the Department of Environmental Protection, of the State of Connecticut dated December 9, 1980 and recorded March 11, 1981 in Volume 765 at Page 102 of the West Hartford Land Records.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 13.19

 

Required State of Connecticut Contract Provisions

 

Required Contract Provisions - State of Connecticut : References in this Schedule to “Contract” or “Agreement” shall mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement and references to “Contractor” shall mean Purchaser.

 

1.              Statutory Authority . Connecticut General Statutes §§ 4a-52a, 10a-104, 10a-108, 10a-109d (a)(5) and/or 10a-15lb, provide the University with authority to enter into contracts in the pursuit of its mission.

 

2.             Governing Law . See Section 13.17.

 

3.             Indemnification . See Section 11.4.

 

4.             Claims . The Contractor agrees that the sole and exclusive means for the presentation of any claim against the State of Connecticut or the University of Connecticut arising from this Agreement shall be in accordance with Chapter 53 of the Connecticut General Statutes (Claims Against the State) and the Contractor further agrees not to initiate any legal proceedings in any state or federal court in addition to, or in lieu of, said Chapter 53 proceedings.

 

5.             State Nondiscrimination Provisions .

 

1.           Nondiscrimination

 

(a)            For purposes of this Section, the following terms are defined as follows:

 

i. “Commission” means the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities;

 

ii. “Contract” and “contract” include any extension or modification of the Contract or contract;

 

iii. “Contractor” and “contractor” include any successors or assigns of the Contractor or contractor;

 

iv. “Gender identity or expression” means a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person's core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose.

 

v. “good faith” means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations;

 

  38  

 

 

vi. “good faith efforts” shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements;

 

vii. “marital status” means being single, married as recognized by the State of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced;

 

viii. “mental disability” means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”, or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders;

 

ix. “minority business enterprise” means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty-one percent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise, (2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 32-9n; and

 

x. “public works contract” means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the State or any political subdivision of the State other than a municipality for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the State, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, insurance or guarantees.

 

For purposes of this Section, the terms “Contract” and “contract” do not include a contract where each contractor is (1) a political subdivision of the state, including, but not limited to, a municipality, unless the contract is a municipal public works contract or quasi-public agency project contract, (2) any other state, including but not limited to any federally recognized Indian tribal governments, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 1-267, (3) the federal government, (4) a foreign government, or (5) an agency of a subdivision, agency, state or government described in the immediately preceding enumerated items (1), (2), (3), or (4).

 

(b) (1) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut; and the Contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to insure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by the Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved; (2) the Contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Contractor, to state that it is an “affirmative action equal opportunity employer” in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission; (3) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which the Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which the Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission, advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (4) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this Section and Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-68e and 46a-68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-56, 46a-68e, 46a-68f and 46a-86; and (5) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor as relate to the provisions of this Section and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56. If the contract is a public works contract, municipal public works contract or contract for a quasi-public agency project, the Contractor agrees and warrants that he or she will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works or quasi-public agency projects.

 

  39  

 

 

(c) Determination of the Contractor's good faith efforts shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: The Contractor's employment and subcontracting policies, patterns and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training; technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the Commission may prescribe that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects.

 

(d) The Contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Commission, of its good faith efforts.

 

(e) The Contractor shall include the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and in every subcontract entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a municipal public works contract for a quasi-public agency project, and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56 as amended; provided if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding a State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

 

(f) The Contractor agrees to comply with the regulations referred to in this Section as they exist on the date of this Contract and as they may be adopted or amended from time to time during the term of this Contract and any amendments thereto.

 

  40  

 

 

(g) (1) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation; (2) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities advising the labor union or workers' representative of the Contractor's commitments under this section, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (3) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of this section and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56; and (4) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor which relate to the provisions of this Section and Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56.

 

(h) The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing paragraph in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. § 46a-56 as amended; provided, if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission regarding a State contract, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

 

6.             State Executive Orders This Contract is subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. Three of Governor Thomas J. Meskill, promulgated June 16, 1971, concerning labor employment practices, Executive Order No. Seventeen of Governor Thomas J. Meskill, promulgated February 15, 1973, concerning the listing of employment openings and Executive Order No. Sixteen of Governor John G. Rowland promulgated August 4, 1999, concerning violence in the workplace, all of which are incorporated into and are made a part of the Contract as if they had been fully set forth in it. The Contract may also be subject to Executive Order No. 14 of Governor M. Jodi Rell, promulgated April 17, 2006, concerning procurement of cleaning products and services and to Executive Order No. 49 of Governor Dannel P. Malloy, promulgated May 22, 2015, mandating disclosure of certain gifts to public employees and contributions to certain candidates for office. If Executive Order 14 and/or Executive Order 49 are applicable, they are deemed to be incorporated into and are made a part of the Contract as if they had been fully set forth in it. At the Contractor's request, the University of Connecticut or the Department of Administrative Services shall provide a copy of these orders to the Contractor.

 

7. Insurance See Section 11.6.

 

  41  

 

 

8. Termination for Convenience

 

INTENTIONALLY DELETED.

 

9. Termination for Cause

 

See Section 10.2

 

10.            Force Majeure . If the performance of obligations under this Agreement are rendered impossible or hazardous or is otherwise prevented or impaired due to illness, accident, Act(s) of God, riots, strikes, labor difficulties, epidemics, earthquakes, and/or any other cause or event, similar or dissimilar, beyond the control of the Contractor, then each party's obligations to the other under this Agreement shall be excused and neither party shall have any liability to the other under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

11.          Power to Execute . The individual signing this Agreement on behalf of the Contractor certifies that s/he has full authority to execute the same on behalf of the Contractor and that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Contractor and is binding upon the Contractor in accordance with its terms.

 

12.          Entire Agreement and Amendment . This Agreement is the entire agreement between the Contractor and the University and supersedes and rescinds all prior agreements relating to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended only in writing signed by both the Contractor and the University. The Contractor indicates it has read and freely signed this Agreement, which shall take effect as a sealed instrument. The Contractor further certifies that the terms of this agreement are legally binding and its duly authorized representative has signed this agreement after having carefully read and understood the same.

 

13. Whistleblowing

 

This Agreement may be subject to the provisions of Section 4-61dd of the Connecticut General Statutes. In accordance with this statute, if an officer, employee or appointing authority of the Purchaser takes or threatens to take any personnel action against any employee of Purchaser in retaliation for such employee’s disclosure of information to any employee of the contracting state or quasi-public agency or the Auditors of Public Accounts or the Attorney General under the provisions of subsection (a) of such statute, Purchaser shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each offense, up to a maximum of twenty per cent of the value of this Agreement. Each violation shall be a separate and distinct offense and in the case of a continuing violation, each calendar day’s continuance of the violation shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense. The State may request that the Attorney General bring a civil action in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Hartford to seek imposition and recovery of such civil penalty. In accordance with subsection (f) of such statute, each large state contractor, as defined in the statute, shall post a notice of the provisions of the statute relating to large state contractors in a conspicuous place which is readily available for viewing by the employees of the Purchaser.

 

  42  

 

 

14.           SEEC Campaign Contribution Restrictions (Required For Contracts $50,000 or More in a calendar year or a series with a value of $100,000 or more) .

 

For all State contracts as defined in Public Act 10-01 having a value in a calendar year of $50,000 or more or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of $100,000 or more, the authorized signatory to this Agreement expressly acknowledges receipt of the State Elections Enforcement Commission's Notice advising state contractors of state campaign contribution and solicitation prohibitions, and will inform its principals of the contents of the Notice, referenced herein (or attached hereto as Exhibit A).

 

  43  

 

 

EXHIBIT A

CONNECTICUT STATE ELECTIONS ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION

EXHIBIT A - SEEC NOTICE

Rev. 1/11

 

 

 

 

NOTICE TO EXECUTIVE BRANCH STATE CONTRACTORS AND PROSPECTIVE STATE CONTRACTORS OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION AND SOLICITATION LIMITATIONS

 

This notice is provided under the authority of Connecticut General Statutes §9-612(g)(2), as amended by P.A. 10-1, and is for the purpose of informing state contractors and prospective state contractors of the following law (italicized words are defined on the reverse side of this page).

 

 

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION AND SOLICITATION LIMITATIONS

 

 

No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee (which includes town committees).

 

In addition, no holder or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State senator or State representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee.

 

On and after January 1, 2011, no state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor's or prospective state contractor's employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee.

 

DUTY TO INFORM

 

State contractors and prospective state contractors are required to inform their principals of the above prohibitions, as applicable, and the possible penalties and other consequences of any violation thereof.

 

PENAL TIES FOR VIOLATIONS

 

Contributions or solicitations of contributions made in violation of the above prohibitions may result in the following civil and criminal penalties:

 

Civil penalties Up to $2,000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contribution, whichever is greater, against a principal or a contractor. Any state contractor or prospective state contractor which fails to make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions requiring notice to its principals of these prohibitions and the possible consequences of their violations may also be subject to civil penalties of up to $2,000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contributions made by their principals.

 

Criminal penalties Any knowing and willful violation of the prohibition is a Class D felony, which may subject the violator to imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or not more than $5,000 in fines, or both.

 

  44  

 

 

CONTRACT CONSEQUENCES

 

In the case of a state contractor, contributions made or solicited in violation of the above prohibitions may result with the contract being voided.

 

In the case of a prospective state contractor, contributions made or solicited in violation of the above prohibitions shall result in the contract described in the state contract solicitation not being awarded to the prospective state contractor, unless the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation.

 

The State shall not award any other state contract to anyone found in violation of the above prohibitions for a period of one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited, unless the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation.

 

Additional information may be found on the website of the State Elections Enforcement Commission, www.ct.gov/seec . Click on the link to “Lobbyist/Contractor Limitations.”

 

DEFINITIONS

 

“State contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that enters into a state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a state contractor until December thirty-first of the year in which such contract terminates. “State contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Prospective state contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that (i) submits a response to a state contract solicitation by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, or a proposal in response to a request for proposals by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, until the contract has been entered into, or (ii) holds a valid prequalification certificate issued by the Commissioner of Administrative Services under section 4a-100. “Prospective state contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is not a business entity, or if a state contractor or prospective state contractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any state contractor or prospective state contractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the state contractor or prospective state contractor.

 

“State contract” means an agreement or contract with the state or any state agency or any quasi-public agency, let through a procurement process or otherwise, having a value of fifty thousand dollars or more, or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more in a calendar year, for (i) the rendition of services, (ii) the furnishing of any goods, material, supplies, equipment or any items of any kind, (iii) the construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work, (iv) the acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building, (v) a licensing arrangement, or (vi) a grant, loan or loan guarantee. “State contract” does not include any agreement or contract with the state, any state agency or any quasi-public agency that is exclusively federally funded, an education loan, a loan to an individual for other than commercial purposes or any agreement or contract between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.

 

“State contract solicitation” means a request by a state agency or quasi-public agency, in whatever form issued, including, but not limited to, an invitation to bid, request for proposals, request for information or request for quotes, inviting bids, quotes or other types of submittals, through a competitive procurement process or another process authorized by law waiving competitive procurement.

 

“Managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract” means having direct, extensive and substantive responsibilities with respect to the negotiation of the state contract and not peripheral, clerical or ministerial responsibilities.

 

  45  

 

 

“Dependent child” means a child residing in an individual's household who may legally be claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax of such individual.

 

“Solicit” means (A) requesting that a contribution be made, (B) participating in any fund-raising activities for a candidate committee, exploratory committee, political committee or party committee, including, but not limited to, forwarding tickets to potential contributors, receiving contributions for transmission to any such committee or bundling contributions, (C) serving as chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of any such committee, or (D) establishing a political committee for the sole purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions for any committee. Solicit does not include: (i) making a contribution that is otherwise permitted by Chapter 155 of the Connecticut General Statutes; (ii) informing any person of a position taken by a candidate for public office or a public official, (iii) notifying the person of any activities of, or contact information for, any candidate for public office; or (iv) serving as a member in any party committee or as an officer of such committee that is not otherwise prohibited in this section.

 

“Subcontractor” means any person, business entity or nonprofit organization that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of a state contractor's state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a subcontractor until December thirty first of the year in which the subcontract terminates. “Subcontractor” does not include (i) a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or (ii) an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person's capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Principal of a subcontractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a subcontractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a subcontractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a subcontractor, which is not a business entity, or if a subcontractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any subcontractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a subcontract with a state contractor, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the subcontractor.

 

  46  

 

 

REQUIRED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

THAT MUST ACCOMPANY ALL STATE CONTRACTS

 

A. CHRO Nondiscrimination Certification:

 

A Nondiscrimination Certification must be provided by all University contractors for all contracts/agreements with individuals, corporations and/or other entities, regardless of type, term, cost or value. A Certification is required for all original contracts/agreements, as well any subsequent amendments. Nondiscrimination Certifications must be signed prior to or simultaneous with the contract execution date by a contractor's authorized official and not necessarily the contract signatory.

 

The Nondiscrimination Certification forms may be found at:

 

http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view .asp?a=2982&q =390928&opmNav GID = 1806

 

EXEMPTIONS - Pursuant to Public Act No. 09-158, Section 1(a)(5)(d), the entities listed below are exempt and, therefore, not required to submit a nondiscrimination certification form when entering into a contract with the State:

 

1. political subdivisions of the State of Connecticut, including, but not limited to municipalities;
2. quasi-public agencies, as defined in C.G.S. § 1-120;
3. other states of the United States, including, but not limited to, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories and possessions, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments, as defined in C.G.S. § 1-267;
4. the federal government;
5. foreign governments; and
6. an agency of a subdivision, agency, state or government listed in items 1-5.

 

B. OPM Ethics Affidavits :

 

For all contracts with a “Value*” of $50,000 or more in a calendar or fiscal year, the University must also obtain the following affidavits for all University contracts: [Note: * Value of the contract means the dollar amount (or equivalent benefit) expended or received by the State in accordance with the contract.]

 

1. ETHICS FORM 1 - a Contractor-executed and notarized Gift and Campaign Contribution Certification (Office of Policy and Management “OPM” Form 1*) [*Form 1 is also used with a multi-year contract to update the initial certification on an annual basis];

 

  47  

 

 

2. ETHICS FORM 3 - a University-executed Certification of State Agency Official or Employee Authorized to Execute Contract (OPM Form 3) for all contracts/agreements with a value of $50,000 or more in a calendar or fiscal year;

 

3. ETHICS FORM 5 - a Contractor-executed Consulting Agreement Affidavit (OPM Form 5) is normally provided with a bid or proposal; however, if it is a sole source or no-bid contract, it is submitted at the time of contract execution; and

 

4. ETHICS FORM 6 - a Contractor-executed Affirmation of Receipt of State Ethics Laws Summary must accompany any large State construction or procurement contracts with a “COST” (expenditure or equivalent benefit) of more than $500,000. When applicable, Form 6 is also used by a subcontractor or consultant of the contractor. The subcontractor or consultant submits the form to the contractor, who then submits it to the awarding State agency.

 

5. ETHICS FORM 7 - a Contractor-executed Iran Investment Certification must accompany any large state contract over $500,000.00 with entities outside the United States and United States subsidiaries of foreign entities.

 

Execution of Ethics Affidavits : Pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-252(c)(l), all ethics affidavits must be executed by an official duly authorized to execute the contract/agreement on behalf of the Contractor and must be signed simultaneous with contract execution .

 

Ethics Affidavits, Certifications and further definitions, samples and information may be found at: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2982&q=386038&opmNav GID=1806

 

EXEMPTIONS : Ethics Affidavits and certifications are NOT required for grants or loans, as such awards are not: (1) large state contracts, as defined by Connecticut General Statutes § 4-250; (2) State Contracts, as defined by Executive Order 7C, Paragraph 2(f); or (3) contracts for the purchase of goods and services, as used in Connecticut General Statutes § 4-81.

 

Affidavits are also NOT required for contracts between a state agency or a quasi-public state agency and a political subdivision of the State.

 

  48  

 

 

C. Contractor Signing Authority :

 

Required only for contracts involving transactions that must be recorded on town land records.

 

a. This document indicates that that the person who executes the contract has authority to sign on behalf of the company. Please note that an individual cannot authorize themselves to sign on behalf of a company/organization unless they are the sole owner. The authority must be signed by an officer of the company if owned by more than one person/entity.

 

b. This document must be signed and dated the same day as the contract but adopted Prior To the signing of the contract

 

Please be sure to select the proper form in accordance with the contractor's company structure. Signature Authority forms can be found at UConn's Office of the General Counsel's contract website. : http://uconncontracts.uconn.edu/contract-forms-documents/ .

   

  49  

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN

THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

 

ACTING BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY

DEVELOPMENT

(An Equal Opportunity Employer)

AND

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

 

RE: Seven Stars Cloud Group Relocation Project

 

This ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into by and between the STATE OF CONNECTICUT, (hereinafter the “ State ”), acting herein by Catherine Smith, its Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, (hereinafter the “ Commissioner ”), pursuant to Chapter 5881 of the Connecticut General Statutes and SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC. (hereinafter the “ Applicant or contractor ”) acting herein by Robert Benya its duly authorized President.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the governing body of the Applicant has submitted to the State a series of documents including an acceptance letter in response to a Letter of Intent submitted to it by the Commissioner dated May 24,2018 (the “ Commissioner’s LOI ”), an Application for Financial Assistance, a resolution from the Applicant’s appropriate organizational body authorizing the Applicant to submit said Application, a Project Financing Plan and Budget, and exhibits, if any, and has caused to have submitted an Opinion of Counsel and other documents (all, together with this Agreement and all other documents and agreements executed by the Applicant in connection with this Agreement, hereinafter the “ Project Documents ”) for a project entitled Seven Stars Cloud Group Relocation Project (hereinafter the “ Project ”) and has represented to the State that it can rely upon the information within the Project Documents as being accurate and complete;

 

WHEREAS, in reliance upon the information submitted by or caused to be submitted by the Applicant, the State has approved funding for the Project; and

 

WHEREAS, the State and the Applicant desire to define the terms and conditions upon which such financial assistance will be made available to the Applicant.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises of the parties hereto, and of the mutual benefits to be gained by the performance thereof, the State and the Applicant hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1- STATE OBLIGATIONS

 

Financial Assistance . The State hereby agrees, subject to the terms of this Agreement and its Exhibits and in reliance upon the facts and representations set forth in the Project Documents, to provide financial assistance to the Applicant for the Project in the form of a loan in an amount not to exceed TEN MILLION AND NO DOLLARS ($10,000,000.00) (the “ Loan ” or the “ Funding ”), which Loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note in the amount of the Loan (the “ Note ”); provided, however, that the aggregate principal of the Funding shall not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the Project.

 

 

 

 

1.1        Repayment of Loan . The Loan shall be repayable by the Applicant in accordance with the terms of the Note.

 

ARTICLE 2- APPLICANT WARRANTIES, COVENANTS, AND OBLIGATIONS

 

The Applicant represents, warrants and covenants as follows, and further covenants that on and after the closing and for so long as this Agreement or any clause thereof shall remain in effect:

 

2.1        Form of Entity . The Applicant is a corporation duly created and validly existing, or properly registered to do business, under the laws of the State of Nevada and the State of Connecticut and each other jurisdiction where the ownership of its property or the conduct of its business requires qualification. Further, that the Applicant will preserve and maintain its existence as a corporation duly organized validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Nevada, and will remain (or become) qualified to do business and in good standing in Connecticut and in each other jurisdiction where the nature of its business or the ownership of its property makes such qualification necessary.

 

2.2        Ability to Conduct Business . The Applicant has all franchises, permits, licenses, and other similar authorizations necessary for the conduct of its business as now being conducted by it, and it is not aware of any state of facts that would make it impossible to obtain any similar authorization necessary for the conduct of its business as planned to be conducted. The Applicant is not in violation, nor will the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Project Documents to which it is a party, cause a violation of the terms or provisions of any such franchise, permit, license, or similar authorization.

 

2.3        Authorization to Enter Into and Execute Project Documents . The execution and delivery of the Project Documents and this Assistance Agreement by the Applicant, and the performance of its obligations thereunder, are within its power, have been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part, and are not in contravention of law nor in contravention of its organizational documents or governing bylaws or of the provisions of any indenture, agreement, or undertaking to which it, its principals or employees are parties or by which they are bound.

 

2.4        Other Authorization Unnecessary . No consent, license, or approval from any governmental authority is or will be necessary for the valid execution and delivery by the Applicant of the Project Documents. The Applicant agrees that nothing in this Agreement relieves it from any obligation under law to obtain any such license, consent, or approval.

 

2.5        Agreement to Undertake Project . The Applicant agrees to undertake and complete the Project as described in the Commissioner’s LOI.

 

2.6        Obstacles to Entering and Executing Project .

 

(A)        Existing Suit or Other Actions . There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation at law, in equity, or before any court, public board, arbitrator, or body, pending or, to the Applicant’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting it, which could or might adversely affect the Project, the State’s security as described in section 2.16 below, any of the transactions contemplated by the Project Documents or the validity of the Project Documents, or the Applicant’s ability to discharge its obligations under the Project Documents.

 

  2  -  

 

 

(B)        Default of Existing Orders or Instruments . The Applicant is not in default beyond any applicable notice and grace periods with respect to any order of any court, arbitrator, or governmental body which could or might adversely affect the Project, the State’s security as described in section 2.16 below, or any of the transactions contemplated by the Project Documents or the validity of the Project Documents, or the Applicant’s ability to discharge its obligations under the Project Documents. In addition, the Applicant is not in default beyond any applicable grace periods in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the terms, obligations, covenants, conditions, or provisions contained in any agreement or instrument to which the Applicant is a party or to which its property is subject, which default, together with all such defaults, singularly or in the aggregate, may have a materially adverse effect on the business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations of the Applicant.

 

(C)        Instance of Default . No Instance of Default (as defined in section 4.1 hereof) has occurred or is continuing, and the Applicant has no knowledge of any currently existing facts or circumstances which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Instance of Default.

 

2.7        Material Adverse Change .

 

(A)        Financial Condition . There has been no material adverse change in the financial condition of the Applicant or any guarantor of this Agreement, if applicable, since the date of application for the Funding that has not been previously disclosed in writing to the Commissioner.

 

(B)        Representations in Documents . All financial statements, including, without limitation, balance sheets and profit and loss statements, delivered to the Commissioner are correct and complete, and fairly present the financial position and results of operations of the Applicant at the times of and for the periods reflected by such financial statements. The financial statements and all other written statements furnished by the Applicant in connection with the Funding do not contain any untrue statement of material fact and do not omit any material fact whose omission would make the statements contained therein or herein materially misleading.

 

(C) Other Facts . There is no fact which the Applicant has not disclosed to the Commissioner in writing, which writing, if any, is attached hereto as Exhibit A , which materially and adversely affects or, and is reasonably likely to prove to affect materially and adversely the business, operations, properties, prospects, profits, or condition of the Applicant. Further, the Applicant will notify the Commissioner, in writing, promptly of any material adverse change in the financial condition or business operations of the Applicant or any guarantor of this Agreement.

 

2.8        Use of State Funding . The Funding shall be used for the Project as set forth in the Commissioner’s LOI and in accordance with the most recently approved Project Financing Plan and Budget. The Funding shall be used for that purpose and for no other purpose.

 

  3  -  

 

 

(A)        Additional Costs above Funding . Any amount in excess of the amount of the Funding that may be necessary to cover the cost of the Project as set forth in the most recently approved Project Financing Plan and Budget shall be the responsibility of the Applicant and shall not be covered by the Funding. The Applicant shall, as a minimum, provide the level and sources of funding as indicated in the Project Documents, and shall expend those funds in accordance with the Project Financing Plan and Budget.

 

(B)        Budget . The Project Financing Plan and Budget most recently approved by the Commissioner shall constitute the budget for the Project. The Project Financing Plan and Budget may be amended by request of the Applicant if such request is approved in writing by the Commissioner. Approval by the Commissioner of any revised Project Financing Plan and Budget shall not constitute or imply a revision of the amount of the Funding.

 

2.9        Payment of Other Obligations . The Applicant will pay and discharge promptly when due and payable all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon it, its property, or any part thereof, or upon its income or profits, or any part thereof, as well as all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien or charge upon its property, provided that such charges need not be paid while being contested by the Applicant in good faith and by appropriate legal proceedings so long as adequate book reserves have been established with respect thereto and the Applicant’s title to, and its right to use, its property is not materially and adversely affected thereby. The Applicant also agrees to pay all taxes or duties levied or assessed upon said sum against the State, the obligation evidenced hereby or the collateral securing the same and to pay all costs, expenses, and attorneys’ reasonable fees incurred by the State in any proceeding for the collection of the obligations evidenced hereby or in any action to enforce the State’s rights in property granted under the Mortgage the happening of an Instance of Default as provided for in the Project Documents or in protecting or sustaining the lien granted in connection with this Agreement or in the Mortgage or in any litigation or controversy arising from or connected with the Project Documents.

 

2.10        Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Rules, and Executive Orders . In the administration and execution of the Project, the Applicant shall comply with all pertinent provisions of local, State and Federal law applicable to it and/or its properties and/or its business, and maintain its property in reasonable condition. Failure to do so shall constitute an Instance of Default by the Applicant under this Agreement.

 

Specifically, but not by way of limitation, the Applicant agrees to the following:

 

(A) For the purposes of subsection (B) of this section 2.10, the following terms are defined as follows:

 

1. Commission or “commission” means the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities;

 

2. Contract means this Agreement and any extension or modification of this Agreement;

 

3. Contractor means the Applicant and includes any successors or assigns of the Applicant;

 

  4  -  

 

 

4. Gender identity or expression means a person’s gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person’s physiology or assigned sex at birth, which gender-related identity can be shown by providing evidence including, but not limited to, medical history, care or treatment of the gender-related identity, consistent and uniform assertion of the gender-related identity or any other evidence that the gender-related identity is sincerely held, part of a person’s core identity or not being asserted for an improper purpose;

 

5. Good faith means that degree of diligence which a reasonable person would exercise in the performance of legal duties and obligations;

 

6. Good faith efforts shall include, but not be limited to, those reasonable initial efforts necessary to comply with statutory or regulatory requirements and additional or substituted efforts when it is determined that such initial efforts will not be sufficient to comply with such requirements;

 

7. Intellectual disability means a significant limitation in intellectual functioning and deficits in adaptive behavior that originated during the developmental period before eighteen years of age;

 

8. Marital status means being single, married as recognized by the State of Connecticut, widowed, separated or divorced;

 

9. Mental disability means one or more mental disorders, as defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders”, or a record of or regarding a person as having one or more such disorders;

 

10. Minority business enterprise means any small contractor or supplier of materials fifty-one percent or more of the capital stock, if any, or assets of which is owned by a person or persons: (1) who are active in the daily affairs of the enterprise, (2) who have the power to direct the management and policies of the enterprise, and (3) who are members of a minority, as such term is defined in subsection (a) of Conn. Gen. Stat. section 32-9n; and

 

11. Public works contract means any agreement between any individual, firm or corporation and the State or any political subdivision of the State other than a municipality for construction, rehabilitation, conversion, extension, demolition or repair of a public building, highway or other changes or improvements in real property, or which is financed in whole or in part by the State, including, but not limited to, matching expenditures, grants, loans, insurance or guarantees.

 

  5  -  

 

 

For purposes of subsection (B) of this section 2.10, the term Contract does not include a contract where each contractor is (a) a political subdivision of the state, including, but not limited to, a municipality unless the contract is a municipal public works contract or quasi-public agency project contract, (b) any other state, as defined in Conn. Gen. Stat. section 1-267, (c) the federal government, (d) a foreign government, or (e) an agency of a subdivision, agency, state or government described in the immediately preceding items (a), (b), (c), or (d).

 

(B) (1) (a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by such Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or of the State of Connecticut; and the Contractor further agrees to take affirmative action to insure that applicants with job-related qualifications are employed and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, intellectual disability, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness, unless it is shown by the Contractor that such disability prevents performance of the work involved; (b) the Contractor agrees, in all solicitations or advertisements for employees placed by or on behalf of the Contractor, to state that it is an “affirmative action-equal opportunity employer” in accordance with regulations adopted by the Commission; (c) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which the Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission, advising the labor union or workers’ representative of the Contractor’s commitments under Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4a-60 and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (d) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of Conn. Gen. Stat. sections 4a-60, 46a-68e, and 46a-68f and with each regulation or relevant order issued by the Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. sections 46a-56, 46a-68e, 46a-68f, and 46a-86; and (e) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor as relate to the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. sections 4a-60 and 46a-56. If the Contract is a public works contract, municipal public works contract or contract for a quasi -public agency project, the Contractor agrees and warrants that it will make good faith efforts to employ minority business enterprises as subcontractors and suppliers of materials on such public works or quasi-public agency project.

 

  6  -  

 

 

(2)       Determination of the Contractor’s good faith efforts shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following factors: The Contractor’s employment and subcontracting policies, and practices; affirmative advertising, recruitment and training; technical assistance activities and such other reasonable activities or efforts as the State of Connecticut has prescribed that are designed to ensure the participation of minority business enterprises in public works projects.

 

(3)       The Contractor shall develop and maintain adequate documentation, in a manner prescribed by the Commission, of its Good faith efforts.

 

(4)       The Contractor shall include the provisions of subsection (1) of this section 2.10(B) in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. section 46a-56; provided if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

 

(5)       The Contractor agrees to comply with the statutes and regulations referred to in this Section as they exist on the date of this Contract and as they may be adopted or amended from time to time during the term of this Contract and any amendments thereto.

 

(6)       (a) The Contractor agrees and warrants that in the performance of the Contract such Contractor will not discriminate or permit discrimination against any person or group of persons on the grounds of sexual orientation, in any manner prohibited by the laws of the United States or the State of Connecticut, and that employees are treated when employed without regard to their sexual orientation; (b) the Contractor agrees to provide each labor union or representative of workers with which such Contractor has a collective bargaining Agreement or other contract or understanding and each vendor with which such Contractor has a contract or understanding, a notice to be provided by the Commission advising the labor union or workers’ representative of the Contractor’s commitments under Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4a-60a, and to post copies of the notice in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants for employment; (c) the Contractor agrees to comply with each provision of Conn. Gen. Stat. section 4a-60a and with each regulation or relevant order issued by said Commission pursuant to Conn. Gen. Stat. section 46a-56; and (d) the Contractor agrees to provide the Commission with such information requested by the Commission, and permit access to pertinent books, records and accounts, concerning the employment practices and procedures of the Contractor which relate to the provisions of this Section and Conn. Gen. Stat. sections 4a-60a and § 46a-56.

 

  7  -  

 

 

The Contractor shall include the provisions of the foregoing subsection (6) of this section 2.10(B) in every subcontract or purchase order entered into in order to fulfill any obligation of a contract with the State and such provisions shall be binding on a subcontractor, vendor or manufacturer unless exempted by regulations or orders of the Commission. The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any such subcontract or purchase order as the Commission may direct as a means of enforcing such provisions including sanctions for noncompliance in accordance with Conn. Gen. Stat. section 46a-56; provided, if such Contractor becomes involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of such direction by the Commission, the Contractor may request the State of Connecticut to enter into any such litigation or negotiation prior thereto to protect the interests of the State and the State may so enter.

 

(C)          Executive Order No . Three . This Agreement is subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. Three of Governor Thomas J. Meskill promulgated June 16, 1971 and, as such, this Agreement may be cancelled, terminated or suspended by the State Labor Commissioner for violation or of noncompliance with said Executive Order No. Three, or any State or Federal Law concerning nondiscrimination, notwithstanding that the Labor Commissioner is not a party to this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement, as part of the consideration hereof, agree that said Executive Order No. Three is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. The parties agree to abide by said Executive Order and agree that the State Labor Commissioner shall have continuing jurisdiction in respect to Agreement performance in regard to nondiscrimination, until this Agreement is completed or terminated prior to completion. The Applicant agrees as part consideration hereof, that this contract is subject to the guidelines and rules issued by the State Labor Commissioner to implement Executive Order No. Three and that it will not discriminate in its employment practices or policies, will file all reports as required, and will fully cooperate with the State and the State Labor Commissioner.

 

(D)          Executive Order No . Sixteen . This Agreement is subject to, and Applicant hereby agrees to abide by Executive Order No. Sixteen of Governor John G. Rowland promulgated August 4, 1999, and, as such, this Agreement may be cancelled, terminated or suspended by the State for violation or noncompliance with said Executive Order No. Sixteen.

 

(E)          Executive Order No . Seventeen . This Agreement is subject to the provisions of Executive Order No. Seventeen of Governor Thomas J. Meskill promulgated February 15, 1973, and, as such, this Agreement may be cancelled, terminated or suspended by the Commissioner or the State Labor Commissioner for violation of or noncompliance with said Executive Order No. Seventeen, notwithstanding that the Labor Commissioner may not be a party to this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement, as part of the consideration hereof, agree that the Executive Order No. Seventeen is incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof. The parties agree to abide by said Executive Order and agree that the contracting agency and the State Labor Commissioner shall have joint and several continuing jurisdiction in respect to Agreement performance in regard to listing all employment openings with the Connecticut Employment Service.

 

  8  -  

 

 

(F)          Environmental Laws .

 

(1)  The Applicant hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the State from and against any liabilities, losses, damages, costs, or expenses, including attorney’s fees, arising out of or in connection with the presence of hazardous waste on or in any of the Collateral, as more fully described in section 2.16 below, or any lien or claim under Conn. Gen. Stat. section 22a-452a, as amended, or other federal, state, or municipal statute, regulation, rule, law, or proceeding relating to environmental matters, which indemnity shall survive foreclosure of the Mortgage, as more fully described in section 2.16 below, realization on any of the Collateral, as more fully described in section 2.16 below, payment in full of the Funding, and termination and/or release of the Project Documents.

 

(2)  In the event a determination is made that the Funding or a portion of the Funding is subject to the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act (“CEPA”) than Disbursement of State funds may be subject to the completion of the appropriate (“CEPA”) review of Project activities. If Project analysis and review under the provisions of CEPA is necessary, then DECD will contract a professional engineering/planning firm experienced in preparing CEPA documents, using funds appropriated to the Project. Said firm shall work at the direction of the DECD in assessing the Project activities in accordance with CEPA (C.G.S. Sec. 22a-1 and R.C.S.A. Sec. 22a-1a-1 to 22a-1a-12)

 

(3)  In the event a determination is made that the Funding or a portion thereof is subject to CEPA DECD, may require an environmental site assessment, survey, reports and remedial action plans to be prepared for the real estate subject to Project activities. A professional firm licensed to practice in the State of Connecticut shall prepare the reports. The scope of investigations and report shall conform to the applicable Department of Energy and Environmental Protection laws and regulations, and the applicable American Standards for Testing Materials document standards. Copies of all reports shall be made available to DECD.

 

If the Applicant and/or other parties for the subject properties within the project area have conducted Environmental Site Assessments, copies of such documents must be submitted to DECD.

 

(G)        Relocation . The Applicant represents and acknowledges that the Project consists, inter alia, relocating to Connecticut the Applicant’s Global Headquarters for Technology and Innovation also known as World Tech and Innovation Headquarters. (the “Headquarters”). The Headquarters shall house the following: Blockchain Asset Digitalization Tech and Innovation Hub; Fintech Business Startup Accelerator/Incubator; Education and Programming Center (with Executive MBA, Bootcamp Style Training Curricula)1 Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Laboratory; Corporate Office for Partner Companies; Media/News Production and Broadcasting Facility .All of the Applicant’s Executive Officers (within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended), including its Chairman, shall have offices at the Headquarters in West Hartford, CT. Applicant shall not relocate any of its Headquarters or other Connecticut operations to a location outside of the State prior to the date that is ten (10) years after the Agreement Date (as hereinafter defined) or during the term of the Loan, whichever is longer (the Non-Relocation Period ”). If the Applicant relocates any of such operations within the State during such period, it shall offer employment at the new location to its employees from the original location if such employment is available. The Applicant shall provide written notification to the Commissioner of any proposed relocation prior to any public announcement.

 

  9  -  

 

 

(H)        Taxes . The Applicant has filed all federal, state, and municipal income and other tax returns which are required to be filed, and has paid, or made provision for the payment of, all taxes which have become due pursuant to said returns, except such taxes, if any, which are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves have been provided.

 

(I)          Campaign Contribution and Solicitation Prohibitions . For all State contracts as defined in C.G.S. sec. 9-612 having a value in a calendar year of $50,000 or more or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of $100,000 or more, the authorized signatory to this Agreement expressly acknowledges receipt of the State Elections Enforcement Commission’s notice advising state contractors of state campaign contribution and solicitation prohibitions, and will inform its principals of the contents of the notice. This notice is attached hereto as Exhibit C.

 

(J)          General Indemnification . In addition to the specific covenants in subsection (F) of this section 2.10 above, the Applicant shall and hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold the State, and its agents, officials, and employees, harmless from and against any and all suits, damages, claims, causes of actions, demands, judgments, penalties, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, and any and all injuries to persons or property and all other matters arising out of or incurred in the performance by Applicant of the terms, conditions, and covenants of this Agreement or in connection with the operation of the Project.

 

(K)         Whistleblower Protection Law . If any officer, employee or appointing authority of the Applicant takes or threatens to take any personnel action against any employee of the Applicant in retaliation for such employee’s disclosure of information to any employee of the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Auditors of Public Accounts or the Attorney General under the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 4-61dd, the Applicant shall be liable for any civil penalty imposed of not more than five thousand dollars for each offense, up to a maximum of twenty per cent of the value of this Agreement. Each violation shall be a separate and distinct offense and in the case of a continuing violation each calendar day’s continuance of the violation shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

 

The Applicant shall post a notice in a conspicuous place which is readily available for viewing by employees informing employees of the provisions of Conn. Gen. Stat. sec. 4-61dd relating to large state contractors.

 

(L)       Prevailing Wages. In the event that the Agreement Date shall be after June 30, 2018, then the following shall apply in accordance with C.G.S.A. Section 31-53c: The wages paid on an hourly basis to any person performing the work of any mechanic, laborer or worker on the work herein contracted to be done and the amount of payment or contribution paid or payable on behalf of each such person to any employee welfare fund, as defined in subsection (i) of Section 31-53, shall be equal to the rate customary or prevailing for the same work in the same trade or occupation in the town in which construction, remodeling, refinishing, refurbishing, rehabilitation, alteration or repair project is being undertaken, Any contractor who is not obligated by agreement to make payment or contribution on behalf of such persons to any such employee welfare fund shall pay to each mechanic, laborer, or worker as part of such person’s wages the amount of payment or contribution for such person’s classification on each pay day. The foregoing prevailing wage requirements shall not apply and, therefore, shall not be required to be implemented by the Applicant and Section 31-53c shall not apply to the State’s funding of the Project should the Agreement Date be on or before June 30, 2018.

 

  10  -  

 

 

2.11        Other Debt . The Applicant will not, either directly or indirectly, except in the course of its ordinary business and in a manner which will not have a materially adverse impact on the Applicant’s ability to perform its obligations pursuant to this Agreement and the Project Documents, guarantee, endorse, become surety for, or otherwise be or become responsible for the obligations of any other person, whether by agreement to purchase the indebtedness of any other person, or agreement for the furnishing of funds to any other person, directly or indirectly, through the purchase of goods, supplies, (or by way of stock purchase, capital contribution, advance or loan) or for the purpose of paying or discharging the indebtedness of any other person or otherwise, except for the endorsement by the Applicant of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business without the written consent of the Commissioner.

 

2.12        Conflict of Interest . The Applicant will adopt and enforce measures appropriate to assure that no member of the Applicant’s governing bodies and none of its officers or employees shall have or acquire voluntarily an interest in any agreement or proposed agreement in connection with carrying out of the Project..

 

2.13        Notification of Instance of Default by Applicant . The Applicant shall notify the Commissioner promptly of the occurrence of any default hereunder or under any of the other Project Documents, or any other document, instrument or agreement to which the Applicant or its properties are subject and of the actions it intends to take in order to cure such default in a timely manner.

 

2.14        Business Continuation and Transfer of Control .

 

(A)       Except as provided below, the Applicant shall not, either voluntarily or involuntarily, without the prior written consent of the Commissioner, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, (i) discontinue its business, (ii) be dissolved or otherwise suffer or permit any termination of its status as a legal entity as described in section 2.1 above, (iii) transfer, sell or assign all or a material portion of its assets, (iv) enter into any merger or consolidation with another entity in which the Applicant is not the surviving entity; or (v) enter into any merger or consolidation with another entity in which the current shareholders of the Applicant do not own a majority interest of the surviving entity (each of (iii), (iv) and (v) shall constitute a “Transfer” hereunder). The consent of the Commissioner to a proposed Transfer shall be granted if, the Commissioner determines, in her reasonable discretion, that the proposed Transfer will not materially impair the prospects of Applicant’s compliance or its successor’s compliance with the terms and intent of this Agreement and the other Project Documents, including the job creation and retention obligations hereunder, and the obligations of the Applicant have been assumed by the successor or surviving entity to the State’s satisfaction pursuant to the terms of an assignment and assumption agreement executed by the parties and in form and substance satisfactory to the State.

 

  11  -  

 

 

(B)       Without the Commissioner’s prior written consent, the Applicant shall not permit the transfer of any shares of its capital stock or issue additional shares of capital stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, the Applicant (or its shareholders, members or partners, as applicable) may transfer, redeem, retire, issue stock options and warrants or purchase shares of capital stock of the Applicant without the prior written consent of the Commissioner provided such transfer, redemption, retirement, issuance, or purchase will not result in the transfer of greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Applicant. As used herein, “capital stock” shall mean and include any ownership interest, including any limited liability company membership interest or any partnership interest.

 

2.15        Representations in Other Documents . All statements contained in any certificate, financial statement, legal opinion or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Applicant or any guarantor pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement shall constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made at and as of the date of this Agreement.. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and shall not be deemed to have been waived by any investigation made or not made by the State. The Project Documents to which the Applicant is a party, when delivered, will be legal, valid, and binding obligations of the Applicant, enforceable against it in accordance with their respective terms.

 

2.16        Security . The Applicant agrees to provide to the State, as security for the Applicant’s obligations of repayment of the funding, a first position mortgage on the real estate known as 1700- 18000 Asylum A venue, West Hartford, CT ( the “Property “) upon acquisition of said Property ( known herein as the “Mortgage”), under terms and conditions stated infra Until such time as the Applicant acquires the Property the Applicant shall provide to the State a Letter of Credit, in the amount of $12,500,000.00 in form and substance satisfactory to the State, from a U. S. Bank, as security for the Applicant’s obligations of repayment in respect of the Funding. At such time that the Applicant shall acquire the Property. Applicant shall provide to the State a first position mortgage (the “Mortgage”) (hereinafter the “Collateral”) which shall replace the aforesaid Letter of Credit, provided that the value of the then “as is” Property shall have a value of at least $20,000.000.00. Upon the fulfillment of all obligations contained herein or in any of the Project Documents or upon the termination of the time period as required pursuant to section 2.10(G) whichever occurs last, and provided that no default has occurred or is continuing under the terms of this Agreement, any and all security interests provided to the State with respect to the Funding will be released.

 

2.17        Job Creation and Retention: Job Audit; Penalty; Forgiveness Credit .

 

(A)       The Applicant will create and retain one hundred seventy six (176) full-time employment positions with combined annual average W-2 compensation of $105,000.00 in Connecticut on or before December 31, 2021 (the First Target Date ”, and shall maintain such positions for twenty four (24) months thereafter (the First Employment Obligation ”). A full-time employment position is defined as a position that is paid for a minimum of thirty five (35) hours per week. The twenty-four (24) consecutive month period ending on or before the Target Date that yields the highest annual average positions will be used to determine compliance with the First Employment Obligation, provided that no portion of said twenty-four (24) consecutive months may begin before the Agreement Date. The Applicant will create an additional one hundred fifty four (154) full-time employment positions with combined annual average W-2 compensation of $105,000.00 in Connecticut on or before December 31, 2022 (the “ Second Target Date ”, and shall maintain 330 such positions for twenty-four (24) consecutive months thereafter (the “ Second Employment Obligation ”) A full-time employment position is defined as a position that is paid for a minimum of thirty five (35) hours per week. The twenty-four (24) consecutive month period ending on or before the Target Date that yields the highest annual average positions will be used to determine compliance with the First Employment Obligation, provided that no portion of said twenty-four (24) consecutive months may begin before the Agreement Date.

 

  12  -  

 

 

(B)          No later than sixty (60) days following each of the two (2) twenty-four-month periods referenced in subsection (A) above, the Applicant shall furnish to the Commissioner a job audit, performed by a certified public accountant (“CPA ”) in accordance with the DECD Audit Guide located at http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=l096&q=249676 (the “Job Audit”). If the Applicant has met either of its Employment Obligations earlier than required, it may make a written request for the Commissioner’s consent to have its Job Audits performed as of such earlier date, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. In such event, the Commissioner shall determine the due date of the Job Audit referred to herein.

 

(C)          If, as a result of the second Job Audit, the Commissioner determines that the Applicant has failed to meet its Second Employment Obligation of 330 full time positions, the Applicant shall immediately repay a penalty of $30,303.00 per each full-time employment position below the Second Employment Obligation. The amount repaid will be applied first to any outstanding fees, penalties or interest due, and then against the outstanding balance of the Funding. The Commissioner’s determination that a job penalty shall be imposed and the amount of the penalty shall be final.

 

(D)         The Applicant may be eligible for a credit to be applied against the outstanding principal balance of the Loan (the “ Forgiveness Credit ”) in accordance with the following:

 

(i)       If as a result of the first Job Audit, the Commissioner determines that the Applicant has met its First Employment Obligation and that the employment positions created and retained are at an average annual salary of not less than $99,750.00 (the “Threshold Salary”) (i.e. 95% or more of the “Baseline Salary” of $105,000.00 the Applicant may receive a credit in the amount of Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00) (the “ First Forgiveness Credit ”)which will be applied against the then outstanding principal balance of the Loan. Upon application of the First Forgiveness Credit, the Commissioner shall recalculate the monthly payments of principal and interest under the Note such that such monthly payments shall amortize the then remaining principal balance over the remaining term of the Note.

 

  13  -  

 

 

(ii)       If as a result of the second Job Audit, the Commissioner determines that the Applicant has met its Second Employment Obligation and that the employment positions created and retained are at an average annual salary of not less than $99,750.00 (the “Threshold Salary”) (i.e. 95% or more of the “Baseline Salary” of $105,000.00 the Applicant may receive an additional credit in the amount of Five Million and 00/100 Dollars ($5,000,000.00) (the Second Forgiveness Credit ”) which will be applied against the then outstanding principal balance of the Loan. Upon application of the Second Forgiveness Credit, the Commissioner shall recalculate the monthly payments of principal and interest under the Note such that such monthly payments shall amortize the then remaining principal balance over the remaining term of the Note.

 

(iii)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, a result of the Job Audits conducted in accordance with this Section 2.17, the Commissioner determines that the Applicant has met its First Employment Obligation and/ or Second Employment Obligation but that the average annual salary of full-time employees created and retained in less than $99,750.00, any Forgiveness Credit for which the Applicant would otherwise be eligible to receive pursuant to Section 2.17(D)(i) and (ii) above shall be reduced by a number equal to the result of the following formula: (the difference between the Baseline Salary and the actual average annual salary of new full-time employees) divided by the Baseline Salary, and multiplied by the Forgiveness Credit the Applicant is otherwise eligible to receive. For Example, if the Applicant met its First Employment Obligation of 176 jobs created and retained for a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months and, based on the first Job Audit, it is determined that the Applicant had an actual annual salary of $90,000.00 per eligible employee, then the following would be the calculation for the reduction in the First Forgiveness Credit: ($105,000.00-$90,000.00)/$105,000.00 multiplied by $5,000,000.00 = $714,285.71. Therefore, the actual adjusted First Forgiveness Credit would be $4,285,714,29 (i.e. $5,000,000.00 less $714,285.71). Similar adjustments shall be made with respect to the Second forgiveness Credit.

 

The First Forgiveness Credit and the Second Forgiveness Credit shall hereinafter be referred to as the Forgiveness Credit.

 

ARTICLE 3- PROJECT ADMINISTRATION

 

3.1          Records .

 

(A)        Generally . The Applicant shall maintain records in a complete, businesslike manner, including full, accurate and current minutes and records of the Project in a form satisfactory to the Commissioner. The Applicant will furnish to the Commissioner or his/her designee, at such times as the Commissioner shall reasonably determine, any document, data, and information relating to the Project in possession of the Applicant which is requested by the Commissioner. The Commissioner, or his/her designee, shall, for the purpose of determining the proper disposition of the Funding, have the right upon providing reasonable advance notice and at a time mutually convenient to the parties during normal business hours to inspect the minutes, records, books, files, documents, payrolls, employment contracts and conditions, contracts, and any other papers or electronic records of the Applicant which are related to the Loan, or to make inspection of any physical location of the Applicant. The Applicant shall aid and cooperate with any such inspection.

 

  14  -  

 

 

(B)        Connecticut Department of Labor (“DOL”) Employment Data . The Applicant agrees that the State, acting through the Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD ”) may obtain directly from the DOL and disclose, as part of its reporting requirements to the Connecticut State Legislature and Auditors of Public Accounts, information pertaining to Applicant’s employment levels. The Applicant shall execute such consents as the Commissioner and/or DOL may require authorizing the Commissioner to obtain the Applicant’s employment records directly from DOL, provided Applicant shall not be required to disclose individuals identifiable information (“III”) regarding any employee or person. The Applicant acknowledges and agrees that the information so obtained and disclosed may include employer name, address, and number of employees, by facility location, for the purpose of fulfilling DECD’s reporting requirements in accordance with section 32-1m of the Connecticut General Statutes, as may be amended or modified, provided that such information shall not include any III. Further, the Applicant agrees that this employment information may be utilized for purposes of performing employment audits and research-related activities conducted by DECD.

 

The Applicant also agrees that it will complete any form provided by DECD that is needed to assist in the completion of DECD’s annual consolidated report to the General Assembly as required under section 32-1m of the Connecticut General Statutes, as maybe amended or modified, if applicable.

 

3.2        Payment to Applicant . In order to permit the State to make payment to the Applicant with respect of the Funding, the Applicant agrees as follows:

 

(A)        Office of the State Comptroller Electronic Fund Transfer Automated Clearing House (“ ACH ”)(EFT) Program . Upon the execution of this Agreement, the Applicant shall provide current, verifiable bank account information for accounts with Applicant’s bank to the Office of the State Comptroller (“OSC ”) by submitting a completed Electronic Funds Transfer ACH (EFT) Election Form, available at http://www.osc.ct.gov/apd/eftprogram/ index.html, and such additional information as the OSC may require.

 

(B)        Requisition Form . In order to bring about the transfer of moneys to the account designated under subsection (A) above (the Account ”), the Applicant shall requisition funds on forms provided by the Commissioner and in the manner prescribed by this Agreement. Payment to the Applicant will be made based upon said requisition forms.

 

(C)        Pre-agreement Costs . Unless authorized by the Commissioner in writing, no costs incurred prior to May 18, 2018 are eligible for payment from the Funding.

 

3.3        Insurance . Applicant shall maintain all required insurance in amounts, form, substance and quality acceptable to the State, as described more fully in Exhibit B, attached hereto and made a part hereof. A certificate evidencing such insurance shall be delivered to the Commissioner at the time of execution of this Agreement, and annually thereafter for the duration of the Agreement.

 

  15  -  

 

 

3.4        Personal Service Contracts . All Project cost items of personal service, except those to be performed by volunteers and those to be performed by employees of the Applicant who will not receive extra compensation for such service, shall be performed pursuant to a written contract, and the Applicant shall, upon request, provide the Commissioner with copies of all such contracts.

 

3.5        Inspections . The Commissioner shall from time to time, in his/her discretion, during regular business hours, have the right of making an inspection of the Collateral, and the Applicant shall assist the Commissioner in said inspection and shall make available such books and other records as the Commissioner may reasonably request.

 

3.6        Audit . Each Applicant subject to a federal and/or state single audit must have an audit of its accounts performed annually. The audit shall be in accordance with the DECD Audit Guide, located at http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/view.asp?a=1096&q=249676, and the requirements established by federal law and state statute. All Applicants not subject to a federal and/or state single audit shall be subject to a Project-specific audit of its accounts within ninety (90) days of the completion of the Project or at such times as required by the Commissioner. Such audit shall be in accordance with the DECD Audit Guide. An independent public accountant as defined by generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS) shall conduct the audits. At the discretion and with the approval of the Commissioner, examiners from the Department of Economic and Community Development may conduct Project-specific audits.

 

3.7        Repayment to State . (a) Any unspent Funding shall become immediately due and payable by the Applicant to the State within ninety (90) days of the end date of the most recently approved Project Financing Plan and Budget. (b) In the event that an audit referred to in section 3.6 above demonstrates that the actual expenditures made by the Applicant in connection with the Project are less than the maximum allowable amounts for disbursement by the State, as set forth in section 1.1 above, any such excess disbursement made by the State in respect of the Funding shall become immediately due and payable by the Applicant to the State.

 

3.8        Yearly Reports . The Applicant shall furnish to the State within ninety (90) days after filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of its annual Report on Form 10-K, including the financial statements contained therein

 

      ARTICLE 4- DEFAULT

 

4.1        Instances of Default . The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute a default under this Agreement (an “Instance of Default”):

 

(A)        Breach of Agreement . If the Applicant fails to perform any material act, duty, obligation or other agreement contained herein or in any other Project Document or fails to forebear from any unpermitted act, or if the Applicant abandons or terminates the Project or takes such steps that such an abandonment or termination is imminent.

 

  16  -  

 

 

(B)        Misrepresentation . If any representation or warranty made by the Applicant or caused to be made for the Applicant in any of the Project Documents prove at any time to be incorrect in any material respect.

 

(C)        Unpaid Judgments . If a judgment or judgments for the payment of money shall be rendered against Applicant and the amount of such judgment causes or is likely to cause Applicant to default under any of its obligations hereunder or jeopardize the Project and such judgment shall remain unpaid, unstayed on appeal, unbonded, undischarged or undismissed for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days.

 

(D)        Receivership or Bankruptcy . If the Applicant shall: (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee or liquidator of all or a substantial part of any of its assets; (ii) be unable or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they mature; (iii) file or permit the filing of any petition or reorganization or the like under any insolvency or bankruptcy law, or the adjudication of it as a bankrupt, or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or consent to any form of arrangement for the satisfaction, settlement or delay of debt or the appointment of a receiver for all or any part of its properties; or (iv) any action shall be taken by Applicant for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing.

 

(E)        Change in Business Structure . If the Applicant shall discontinue its business, dissolve or liquidate, or be dissolved or liquidated, or cease to legally exist, or merge or consolidate, or be merged or consolidated with and into any corporation or other business entity without the written consent of the Commissioner in violation of section 2.14 hereinabove.

 

(F)        Condemnation or Seizure . If any Federal, state or local governmental instrumentality, body or agency shall condemn, seize or otherwise appropriate, or take custody or control of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of Applicant.

 

(G)        Lack of Adequate Security . If the State, at anytime and in good faith, deems itself to be insecure. For the purposes of this Agreement, the State shall be entitled to deem itself insecure when some event occurs, fails to occur or some objective condition exists, which significantly impairs the value of the Collateral to the State, . Also included is the actual material waste, removal, or demolition of any significant part of the Property, which activity falls outside the plans or purposes of the Project.

 

(H)        Cancellation of Insurance . Failure of the Applicant to keep in force all insurance required by this Agreement.

 

(I)        Job Creation . Failure of the Applicant to meet its Employment Obligation and to pay the penalties referred to in Section 2.17 (C) supra ..

 

(J)        Failure to Pay Debts . Failure of the Applicant or guarantor, if any, to pay its debts as such debts become due if such failure could reasonably be anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Applicant or on the Applicant’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder or under the other Project Documents. Failure to pay when due and payable the principal of or interest on or any other material amount owed with respect to any indebtedness for borrowed money upon which either the Applicant or guarantor, if any, is obligated to make payment, or the maturity of any such indebtedness shall have been accelerated in accordance with the provisions of any agreement or instrument providing for the creation of or concerning such indebtedness, or any event shall have occurred and be continuing after any applicable cure period which would permit any holder or holders of such indebtedness, any trustee or agency acting on behalf of such holder or holders or any other person so to accelerate such maturity if such failure could reasonably be anticipated to have a material adverse effect on the operations of the Applicant or on the Applicant’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder or under the other Project Documents.

 

  17  -  

 

 

(K)        Violation of Terms in Other Project Documents . The occurrence of a default or violation under any of the Project Documents.

 

4.2        Events in Instances of Default .

 

(A)        Notice of Default . If the Applicant defaults or shall commit or allow any breach of the Applicant’s covenants, agreements and other obligations under this Agreement, material or otherwise, including, without limitation, an Instance of Default hereunder, the Commissioner shall notify the Applicant of the default in writing (“Notice of Default”).

 

(B)        Opportunity to Cure . , The Commissioner shall provide the Applicant thirty (30) days after the Notice of Default, or such longer period of time as the Commissioner may determine and set forth in writing, to cure or remedy the default or breach. Said cure or remedy will not be effective unless accepted, in writing, by the Commissioner.

 

(C)        Remedies . Upon the occurrence of an Instance of Default, and Applicant has failed to Cure such default as provided herein, the State, acting by the Commissioner, shall have, to the full extent permitted by law, each and all of the following remedies in addition to those provided for in other portions of this Agreement:

 

(1) To suspend all further payments by the State to the Applicant until such default is cured to the satisfaction of the Commissioner;

 

(2) To proceed to enforce the performance or observance of any obligations, agreements, or covenants of the Applicant or guarantor, if any, in this Agreement or the Project Documents;

 

(3) To declare the entire amount of the Funding to be immediately due and payable and to bring any and all actions at law or in equity as may be necessary to enforce said obligation of repayment. In such Instances of Default, the Applicant hereby agrees to repay immediately the entire unpaid principal amount of the Loan received (including any Forgiveness Credit provided hereunder) with any accrued and unpaid interest, and the entire amount of the Grant and liquidated damages equal to five percent (5%) of the total amount of the Funding received. However, in the event that the Applicant is in default under the terms of section 2.10(G) hereinabove, such liquidated damages shall be equal to seven and one-half percent (7-1/2%) of the total amount of the Funding received;

 

  18  -  

 

 

(4) The right to a writ of mandamus, injunction or similar relief against the Applicant or any or all of the members of the Applicant’s governing body, or against the officers, agents or representatives of the Applicant, as may be appropriate, because of such default or breach;

 

(5) The right to maintain any and all actions at law or suits in equity, including receivership or other proper proceedings, to cure or remedy any defaults or breaches of covenants under this Agreement;

 

(6) The State may collect a “late charge” not to exceed an amount equal to five percent (5%) of any installment payment due under the Loan which is not paid within fifteen (15) days of the date on which said payment is due. Late charges shall be separately charged to and collected from the Applicant and shall be due upon demand by the State;

 

(7) The State may collect costs associated with collection efforts as outlined in section 2.9 of this Agreement.

 

     ARTICLE 5 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

5.1        Non-waiver . If the State does not exercise, or delays in exercising, or exercises in part any of the State’s rights and remedies set forth in this Agreement for the curing or remedying of any default or breach of covenant or condition, or any other right or remedy, in no event shall such non-exercise, delay or partial exercise be construed as a waiver of full action by the State or a waiver of any subsequent default or breach of covenant or condition. Nothing in this Agreement may be construed as a waiver or limitation by the Commissioner of the State’s sovereign immunity.

 

5.2        Severance . If any court determines any provision or provisions of this Agreement to be invalid, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be thereby affected.

 

5.3        Agreement Date . This Agreement shall become effective as of the date the Commissioner or his/her designee affixes his signature hereto (the Agreement Date ”).

 

5.4        Originals . This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

5.5        Multiple Applicants . If there is more than one Applicant, the obligations hereunder and under the Project Documents, shall be joint and several.

 

5.6        Notices . Any notice to the Applicant pursuant hereto or pursuant to any of the Project Documents may be served in person or by overnight delivery or United States priority express mail. Any such requirement shall be deemed met by any written notice personally served at the principal place of business of the Applicant, or at such other address as the Applicant shall notify the Commissioner, or mailed by depositing it in any post office station or letter box enclosed in a postage-paid envelope addressed to the Applicant at 55 Broadway, 19 th Floor, New York, New York 10006 or at such other address as provided above. Any notice to the State, Department, or Commissioner shall be addressed to the Commissioner at 450 Columbus Boulevard, Suite 5, Hartford, Connecticut 06103. Any notice served upon the State, Department, or Commissioner under this Agreement or any other Project Document shall be effective only upon receipt by the Commissioner.

 

  19  -  

 

 

5.7        Waivers by Applicant . The Applicant does hereby waive demand, presentment for payment, protest, notice of protest and notice of non-payment of this Agreement and do hereby consent to renewals or extensions of the time of payment hereof and agree that any such renewals or extensions may be made w and further consent to the release of any part or parts or all of the security for the payment hereof , all without affecting the liability of the persons, firms or corporations liable for the payment of this Agreement.

 

5.8        Gender, Number and Captions . The use of a personal pronoun shall refer to all persons regardless of the proper grammatical term; the singular includes the plural; and, captions for sections are included only for reference and do not modify or effect the terms, conditions and provisions of any document, agreement or instrument.

 

5.9        Modification . This Agreement may not be modified or amended in any manner except in a written agreement executed by all of the parties hereto. In the event that the Applicant seeks modification in the form of a consent or a subordination to financing required by the Applicant in its normal course of business, the Applicant shall request such modification in writing to the Commissioner not less than thirty (30) days prior to the date such modification is required. The Applicant shall promptly reimburse the State for expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, incurred in negotiating and entering into such modification.

 

5.10        Provision of Other Documents . Upon the request of the Commissioner, the Applicant shall execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such further documents and instruments and do such further acts and things as the Commissioner may reasonably request in order to effectuate more fully the purposes of this Project, to secure more fully the payment of the Funding in accordance with its terms, and to vest more completely in and assure to the Commissioner its rights under the Project Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Applicant will join with the Commissioner in executing such financing statements, agreements, notices or other documents or instruments as the Commissioner shall deem necessary or desirable to create, preserve, protect, maintain or enforce its rights and interests in and its liens on the property of the Applicant. The Applicant shall pay the cost of filing and recording, or refiling and re-recording, such documents and instruments in all public offices in which such filing or recording, or refiling or re-recording, is deemed by the Commissioner to be necessary or desirable.

 

5.11        Assignment . This Agreement and any of the documents related hereto and the rights, duties, or obligations thereunder may not be assigned by the Applicant without the written consent of the Commissioner, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.. Any assignment made without the written consent of the Commissioner shall be void and of no force or effect.

 

5.12        Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants . For the purposes of this Agreement, the term “Applicant” shall mean and include any successor or assigns of Applicant including any representative of Applicant under the provisions of any state or Federal law governing bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or reorganization. All representations, warranties, and covenants made by the Applicant in this Agreement or in any of the other Project Documents or in any certificate or instruments delivered to the State in connection with the Funding shall be considered to have been relied upon by the Commissioner and shall survive until the expiration of the term of this Agreement in accordance with section 5.19(A) hereof. This Agreement and the other Project Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, however, that nothing in this provision shall imply that the Applicant has the right or authority to assign its rights, duties or obligations hereunder or under any of the Project Documents without the written consent of the Commissioner.

 

  20  -  

 

 

5.13        Governing Documents . In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any of the Project Documents, this Agreement shall be controlling.

 

5.14        Third Parties . This Agreement is between the State and the Applicant only and shall not be relied upon by any third party.

 

5.15        Governing Laws . The laws of the State of Connecticut shall govern this Agreement and the Project Documents.

 

5.16        Jurisdiction . The Applicant agrees that the execution of this Agreement and the other Project Documents, and the performance of its obligations hereunder and thereunder, shall be deemed to have a Connecticut situs, and the Applicant shall be subject to the personal jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Connecticut with respect to any action the Commissioner, his/her successors or assigns may commence hereunder or thereunder. Accordingly, the Applicant hereby specifically and irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Connecticut with respect to all matters concerning this Agreement or any of the other Project Documents or the enforcement thereof in any action initiated by the Commissioner or which the Commissioner voluntarily joins as a party.

 

5.17        Commercial Transaction and Waiver . THE APPLICANT AGREES THAT THE TRANSACTION OF WHICH THIS AGREEMENT IS A PART IS A COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO NOTICE, PRIOR HEARING, AND ANY OTHER RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE UNDER CHAPTER 903a OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES, AS MAY BE AMENDED, OR OTHER APPLICABLE LAW WITH RESPECT TO ANY REMEDY WHICH THE STATE MAY DESIRE TO USE, AND THE COMMISSIONER MAY INVOKE ANY PREJUDGMENT REMEDY AVAILABLE TO HIM, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, GARNISHMENT, ATTACHMENT, FOREIGN ATTACHMENT AND REPLEVIN, WITH RESPECT TO ANY TANGIBLE OR INTANGIBLE PROPERTY (WHETHER REAL OR PERSONAL) OF THE APPLICANT TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THE PROJECT DOCUMENTS, WITHOUT GIVING THE APPLICANT ANY NOTICE OR OPPORTUNITY FOR A HEARING.

 

5.18        Jury Trial Waiver . THE APPLICANT HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY COURT IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING OR ANY MATTER ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE TRANSACTION OF WHICH THIS AGREEMENT IS A PART AND/OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF ITS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES. THE APPLICANT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT MAKES THIS WAIVER KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND ONLY AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER WITH ITS ATTORNEY.

 

  21  -  

 

 

5.19        Expiration or Termination of Agreement .

 

(A)       The term of this Agreement shall expire upon the later to occur of the following events: (i) the expiration of the Non-Relocation Period; or (ii) repayment in full of the Loan in accordance with the terms hereof and in all other Project Documents.]

 

(B)       Notwithstanding subsection (A) above, the Applicant may terminate this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Non-Relocation Period so long as it makes full repayment of the Funding, including any Forgiveness Credit provided hereunder, less payments of principal paid in respect of the Loan, plus liquidated damages equal to seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the total amount of the Funding received, plus all costs and expenses related thereto.

 

(C)       Notwithstanding any such expiration or termination of this Agreement, all indemnity rights set forth in Section 2.10(J) and elsewhere in this Agreement or in any of the other Project Documents shall survive such expiration or termination

 

ARTICLE 6- SPECIAL CONDITIONS: NONE

 

  22  -  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto make and enter into this Agreement.

 

  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Robert Benya
    Name:  Robert Benya
    Title:  President
    Duly Authorized
     
  Dated:  June 27 th 2018
   
  STATE OF CONNECTICUT
  DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC
  AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
   
  By: /s/ Catherine H. Smith
    Catherine H. Smith
    Commissioner
    Duly Authorized
     
  Dated: 6.29.18

 

  23  -  

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Applicant’s Writings]

NONE

 

  24  -  

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-PROFIT AND FOR PROFIT ENTITIES

 

(A) Applicant shall procure and maintain for the duration of the Agreement the following types of insurance, in amounts no less than the stated limits, against claims for injuries to persons or damages to property which may arise from or in connection with the performance of the work hereunder; provided however, that if this project is (i) financial assistance of less than $100,000, (ii) a planning grant, or (iii) a predevelopment loan, only items 1 and 2 as set forth herein shall apply:

 

1) Commercial General Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit per occurrence for bodily injury, personal injury and property damage. Coverage shall include Premises and Operation, Independent Contractors, Product and Completed Operations and Contractual Liability. If a general aggregate is used, the general aggregate limit shall apply separately to this Agreement or the general aggregate limit shall be twice the occurrence limit.

 

2) Workers’ Compensation and Employer’s Liability: Statutory coverage in compliance with compensation laws of the State of Connecticut. Coverage shall include Employer’s Liability with a minimum limit of $100,000 each accident, and $500,000 Disease - Policy limit, $100,000 each employee.

 

3) Automobile Liability: $1,000,000 combined single limit per accident for bodily injury. Coverage extends to owned, hired and non-owned automobiles. If the vendor/contractor does not own an automobile, but one is used in the execution of the contract, then only hired and non-owned coverage is required. If a vehicle is not used in the execution of the contract then automobile coverage is not required.

 

4) Directors and Officers Liability: $1,000,000 per occurrence limit of liability; provided, however, that Directors and Officers Liability insurance shall not be required for limited liability corporations or limited partnerships.

 

5) Comprehensive Crime Insurance: $100,000 limit for each of the following coverages: Employee Dishonesty (Form 0), Forgery/Alteration (Form B), and Money and Securities coverage for Theft, Burglary, Robbery, Disappearance and Destruction.

 

6) Builders Risk: (Construction Phase) With respect to any work involving the construction of real property during the construction project, if DECD is taking a collateral position in the property, the Applicant shall maintain Builder’s Risk insurance providing coverage for the entire work at the project site. Coverage shall be on a Completed Value form basis in an amount equal to the projected value of the project. Applicant agrees to endorse the State of Connecticut as a Loss Payee.

 

MAA Boilerplate AA – rev 2-02-2016

 

  25  -  

 

 

7) Property Insurance: (Post Construction) If DECD is taking a collateral position in the property, the Applicant shall maintain insurance covering all risks of direct physical loss, damage or destruction to real and personal property and improvements and betterments (including flood insurance if property is within a duly designated Flood Hazard Area as shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)) at 100% of Replacement Value for such real and personal property, improvements and betterments or the maximum amount available under the National Flood Insurance Program. The State of Connecticut shall be listed as a Loss Payee.

 

(B) Additional Insurance Provisions

 

1) The State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, its officials and employees shall be named as an Additional Insured on the Commercial General Liability policy. Additional Insured status is not required for items (A)2 through (A)7 above.

 

2) Described insurance shall be primary coverage and Applicant and Applicant’s insurer shall have no right of subrogation recovery or subrogation against the State of Connecticut.

 

3) Applicant shall assume any and all deductibles in the described insurance policies.

 

4) Without limiting Applicant’s obligation to procure and maintain insurance for the duration identified in (A) above, each insurance policy shall not be suspended, voided, cancelled or reduced except after thirty (30) days prior written notice by certified mail has been given to the State of Connecticut, with the exception that a ten (10) day prior written notice by certified mail for non-payment of premium is acceptable.

 

5) Each policy shall be issued by an Insurance Company licensed to do business by Connecticut Department of Insurance and having a Best Rating of A-, VII, or equivalent or as otherwise approved by DECD.

 

MAA Boilerplate AA – rev 2-02-2016

 

  26  -  

 

 

Exhibit C

 

NOTICE TO EXECUTIVE BRANCH STATE CONTRACTORS AND PROSPECTIVE STATE

CONTRACTORS OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION AND SOLICITATION BAN

 

This notice is provided under the authority of Connecticut General Statutes 9-612(g)(2), as amended by P.A. 10-1, and is for the purpose of informing state contractors and prospective state contractors of the following law (italicized words are defined below):

 

Campaign Contribution and Solicitation Ban

 

No state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee (which includes town committees).

 

In addition, no holder or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall make a contribution to (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of State senator or State representative, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee.

 

On and after January 1, 2011, no state contractor, prospective state contractor, principal of a state contractor or principal of a prospective state contractor, with regard to a state contract or state contract solicitation with or from a state agency in the executive branch or a quasi-public agency or a holder, or principal of a holder of a valid prequalification certificate, shall knowingly solicit contributions from the state contractor’s or prospective state contractor’s employees or from a subcontractor or principals of the subcontractor on behalf of (i) an exploratory committee or candidate committee established by a candidate for nomination or election to the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Secretary of the State or State Treasurer, (ii) a political committee authorized to make contributions or expenditures to or for the benefit of such candidates, or (iii) a party committee.

 

Duty to Inform

 

State contractors and prospective state contractors are required to inform their principals of the above prohibitions, as applicable, and the possible penalties and other consequences of any violation thereof.

 

Penalties for Violations

 

Contributions or solicitations of contributions made in violation of the above prohibitions may result in the following civil and criminal penalties:

 

Civil penalties —$2000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contribution, whichever is greater, against a principal or a contractor. Any state contractor or prospective state contractor which fails to make reasonable efforts to comply with the provisions requiring notice to its principals of these prohibitions and the possible consequences of their violations may also be subject to civil penalties of $2000 or twice the amount of the prohibited contributions made by their principals.

 

Criminal penalties -Any knowing and willful violation of the prohibition is a Class D felony, which may subject the violator to imprisonment of not more than 5 years, or $5000 in fines, or both.

 

MAA Boilerplate AA – rev 2-02-2016

 

  27  -  

 

 

Contract Consequences

 

In the case of a state contractor, contributions made or solicited in violation of the above prohibitions may result in the contract being voided.

 

In the case of a prospective state contractor, contributions made or solicited in violation of the above prohibitions shall result in the contract described in the state contract solicitation not being awarded to the prospective state contractor, unless the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation.

 

The State shall not award any other state contract to anyone found in violation of the above prohibitions for a period of one year after the election for which such contribution is made or solicited, unless the State Elections Enforcement Commission determines that mitigating circumstances exist concerning such violation.

 

Additional information may be found on the website of the State Elections Enforcement Commission, www.ct.gov/seec . Click on the link to “Lobbyist/Contractor Limitations.”

 

Definitions:

 

“State contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that enters into a state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a state contractor until December thirty-first of the year in which such contract terminates. “State contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Prospective state contractor” means a person, business entity or nonprofit organization that (i) submits a response to a state contract solicitation by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, or a proposal in response to a request for proposals by the state, a state agency or a quasi-public agency, until the contract has been entered into, or (ii) holds a valid prequalification certificate issued by the Commissioner of Administrative Services under section 4a-100. “Prospective state contractor” does not include a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Principal of a state contractor or prospective state contractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a state contractor or prospective state contractor, which is not a business entity, or if a state contractor or prospective state contractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any state contractor or prospective state contractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subsection, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subsection or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the state contractor or prospective state contractor.

 

“State contract” means an agreement or contract with the state or any state agency or any quasi-public agency, let through a procurement process or otherwise, having a value of fifty thousand dollars or more, or a combination or series of such agreements or contracts having a value of one hundred thousand dollars or more in a calendar year, for (i) the rendition of services, (ii) the furnishing of any goods, material, supplies, equipment or any items of any kind, (iii) the construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work, (iv) the acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building, (v) a licensing arrangement, or (vi) a grant, loan or loan guarantee. “State contract” does not include any agreement or contract with the state, any state agency or any quasi-public agency that is exclusively federally funded, an education loan or a loan to an individual for other than commercial purposes or any agreement or contract between the state or any state agency and the United States Department of the Navy or the United States Department of Defense.

 

MAA Boilerplate AA – rev 2-02-2016

 

  28  -  

 

 

“State contract solicitation” means a request by a state agency or quasi-public agency, in whatever form issued, including, but not limited to, an invitation to bid, request for proposals, request for information or request for quotes, inviting bids, quotes or other types of submittals, through a competitive procurement process or another process authorized by law waiving competitive procurement.

 

“Managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a state contract” means having direct, extensive and substantive responsibilities with respect to the negotiation of the state contract and not peripheral, clerical or ministerial responsibilities.

 

“Dependent child” means a child residing in an individual’s household who may legally be claimed as a dependent on the federal income tax of such individual.

 

“Solicit” means (A) requesting that a contribution be made, (B) participating in any fund-raising activities for a candidate committee, exploratory committee, political committee or party committee, including, but not limited to, forwarding tickets to potential contributors, receiving contributions for transmission to any such committee or bundling contributions, (C) serving as chairperson, treasurer or deputy treasurer of any such committee, or (D) establishing a political committee for the sole purpose of soliciting or receiving contributions for any committee. Solicit does not include: (i) making a contribution that is otherwise permitted by Chapter 155 of the Connecticut General Statutes; (ii) informing any person of a position taken by a candidate for public office or a public official, (iii) notifying the person of any activities of, or contact information for, any candidate for public office; or (iv) serving as a member in any party committee or as an officer of such committee that is not otherwise prohibited in this section.

 

“Subcontractor” means any person, business entity or nonprofit organization that contracts to perform part or all of the obligations of a state contractor’s state contract. Such person, business entity or nonprofit organization shall be deemed to be a subcontractor until December thirty first of the year in which the subcontract terminates. “Subcontractor” does not include (i) a municipality or any other political subdivision of the state, including any entities or associations duly created by the municipality or political subdivision exclusively amongst themselves to further any purpose authorized by statute or charter, or (ii) an employee in the executive or legislative branch of state government or a quasi-public agency, whether in the classified or unclassified service and full or part-time, and only in such person’s capacity as a state or quasi-public agency employee.

 

“Principal of a subcontractor” means (i) any individual who is a member of the board of directors of, or has an ownership interest of five per cent or more in, a subcontractor, which is a business entity, except for an individual who is a member of the board of directors of a nonprofit organization, (ii) an individual who is employed by a subcontractor, which is a business entity, as president, treasurer or executive vice president, (iii) an individual who is the chief executive officer of a subcontractor, which is not a business entity, or if a subcontractor has no such officer, then the officer who duly possesses comparable powers and duties, (iv) an officer or an employee of any subcontractor who has managerial or discretionary responsibilities with respect to a subcontract with a state contractor, (v) the spouse or a dependent child who is eighteen years of age or older of an individual described in this subparagraph, or (vi) a political committee established or controlled by an individual described in this subparagraph or the business entity or nonprofit organization that is the subcontractor.

 

MAA Boilerplate AA– rev 2-02-2016

 

  29  -  

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

SHARE PURCHASE AND OPTION AGREEMENT

 

This SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement” ), dated July 16, 2018, is entered into by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Nevada (the “ Company ”), and Star Thrive Group Limited , a company incorporated and existing under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (the “ Purchaser ”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”). Rule 506 promulgated thereunder and/or Regulation S under the Securities Act, the Company desires to issue and sell to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser has agreed to purchase from the Company, an aggregate of 12,568,306 shares of the Company’s common stock (“Common Stock”), at the price of USD1.83 per share for the total purchase price of USD23,000,000, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

WHEREAS, the Purchaser understands that this offering is being made without registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or any securities law of any state of the United States or of any other jurisdiction, and is being made only to “accredited investors” or non-U.S. persons.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective undertakings stated herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agreement ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble.

 

Board ” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the Slate of New York, PRC, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands arc required by law to be closed.

 

Call Option shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.4 of this Agreement.

 

  1  

 

 

Claim Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

Closing ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

Closing Schedule ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

Common Stock” means any share of common stock of the Company.

 

Company” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Dispute ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

 

Group Company ” means the Company, its subsidiaries and any other Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company, including its consolidated variable interest entities.

 

Hong Kong ” shall mean the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

 

Indemnified Party shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Indemnity Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 of this Agreement.

 

Losses shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean any event, fact, circumstance or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other events, facts, circumstances or occurrences, results in or would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in or a material adverse effect on (i) the financial condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business, prospects or operations of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except to the extent that any such Material Adverse Effect results from (x) changes in generally accepted accounting principles that are generally applicable to comparable companies or (y) changes in general economic and market conditions in the PRC; or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Person ” shall mean any natural person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental authority or any other legal entity, including public bodies, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

PRC ” shall mean the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this Agreement, Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

Purchaser ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Purchase Price ” shall mean USD23,000,000.

 

Regulation S shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7 of this Agreement.

 

  2  

 

 

Securities Act shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Shares” shall mean the 12,568,306 shares of the Company’s Common Slock to be purchased by the Purchaser at the price of USD 1.83 per share.

 

Third Party Claim ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

US$ ” and “ U.S. dollar ” shall mean the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.

 

2. SHARES

 

2.1            Issuance of the Shares . Subject to the satisfaction of terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company agrees to issue to the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, for the aggregate purchase price of USD 23,000,000 (the “Purchase Price”), an aggregate of 12,568,306 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “Shares”), at the price of USD1.83 per share, and in accordance with the installments as set forth in the Closing Schedule of Section 2.2 below (the “Closing Schedule”).

 

2.2            Closing Schedule . Subject to Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of this Agreement, the closing of the issuance and purchase of the Shares shall consist of six (6) separate closings as set out in the Closing Schedule (each a “Closing” and collectively the “Closings”), and each Closing shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, on a date specified by the parties herein upon the fulfillment of the conditions as set forth in Section 2.5 and 2.6 . The Company shall, upon each Closing, deliver to the Purchaser a share certificate representing the corresponding number of shares issuable at such Closing, free and clear of encumbrances.

 

#   Shares to be issued
by installment
    Closing Date   Purchase Price by
installment (USD)
 
First Closing     1,256,831     July [ 25 ], 2018     2,300,001  
Second Closing     1,256,831     No later than August 31, 2018     2,300,001  
Third Closing     1,256,831     No later than September 30, 2018     2,300,001  
Fourth Closing     1,256,831     No later than October 31, 2018     2,300,001  
Fifth Closing     3,142,075     No later than November 30, 2018     5,749,997  
Sixth Closing     4,398,907     No later than December 31, 2018     8,050,000  
Total     12,568,306           USD23,000,000  

 

  3  

 

 

2.3            Method of Payment . The Purchaser shall pay and deliver to the Company at each Closing the corresponding purchase price as set out in the Closing Schedule above, in U.S. dollars or/and RMB by wire transfer, or by such other method mutually agreeable to the Company and the Purchaser prior to the Closing Date of each installment set out above, of immediately available funds to the following bank account as designated by the Company, such that the payment shall have been delivered and made available to such bank account:

 

Name of Bank: THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING

CORPORATION LIMITED

Address: 1 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG

Account No.: 411758345838

Account holder: YOU ON DEMAND (ASIA) LIMITED

SWIFTCODE: HSBCHKHHHKH

 

2.4            Call Option for Additional Share Purchase . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Company shall grant to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser shall accept, a share purchase option (the “Call Option”), pursuant to which the Purchaser may, within twenty-four (24) months alter execution of this Agreement, purchase from the Company such number of the Common Stock that would bring the Purchaser’s total ownership of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares up to 19.5% on fully diluted basis, at the price equal to 95% of the weighted average trading price of the Common Stock within three (3) months prior to the exercise date of the Call Option.

 

2.5           Conditions to the Purchaser’s Obligations to effect Each Closing . The obligation of the Purchaser to proceed with each Closing as set out in the Closing Schedule is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the corresponding Closing, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Purchaser in its sole discretion:

 

(a)           All corporate and other actions required to be taken by the Company in connection with the execution and performance of this Agreement and the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares shall have been completed: and the Company shall have delivered a copy of its board resolutions and/or the shareholder resolutions (as applicable) approving the execution and performance of this Agreement and the issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares;

 

(b)           The representations and warranties of the Company to the Purchaser contained in Article 3 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and true and correct in all material respects as of the date of the relevant Closing, and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respects under any, agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date;

 

  4  

 

 

(c)           No governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, prevents, prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company; and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or threatened that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company.

 

2.6            Conditions to the Company’s Obligations to effect Each Closing . The obligation of the Company to proceed with each Closing as set out in the Closing Schedule is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by the Company, of each of the following conditions, upon or before the corresponding Closing:

 

(a)           All corporate and other actions required to be taken by the Purchaser in connection with the purchase of the Shares shall have been completed;

 

(b)           The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article 4 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and in all material respects as of the Closing Date, and the Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respect under any agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date; and

 

(c)           No governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, prevents, prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company; and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or threatened that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company.

 

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser the following as of the date hereof and as of the date of each Closing:

 

3.1            Due Formation . The Company is a company duly incorporated as a corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada, USA. The Company has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted.

 

3.2            Authority . The Company has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and each agreement, certificate, document and instrument to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and any agreements, certificates, documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

 

  5  

 

 

3.3            Valid Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

3.4            Valid Issuance of the Shares . The Shares to be issued, sold and delivered under this Agreement will be duly and validly issued and fully paid, and based in part upon the representations and warranties of the Purchaser in this Agreement, will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

3.5            Noncontravention . Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Company or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Company is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the Company’s assets are subject. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Company that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Company to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

3.6            Consents and Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Company of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

3.7            Securities Laws . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser in this Agreement, (a) no directed selling efforts into the United States (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S )) have been made by the Company, any of its affiliates, or any person acting on its behalf with respect to the Shares, and (b) none of such persons has taken any actions that would result in the sale of the Shares to the Purchaser under this Agreement requiring registration under the Securities Act.

 

3.8            Events Subsequent to Most Recent Fiscal Period . Since January 1, 2018 until the date hereof and to the Closing Date, there has not been any event, fact, circumstance or occurrence that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

  6  

 

 

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER. The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company the following as of the date hereof and as of the date of each Closing:

 

4.1            Due Formation . The Purchaser is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization. The Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted.

 

4.2            Accredited Investor . The Purchaser, is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, as amended to date, and Subscriber is able to bear the economic risk of any investment in the Shares and in the Company. The Purchaser shall complete and deliver to the Company prior to each Closing an executed copy of the Accredited Investor Questionnaire.

 

4.3            Authority . The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and each agreement, certificate, document and instrument to be executed and delivered by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and any agreements, certificates, documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, and the performance by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

 

4.4            Valid Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

4.5            Noncontravention . Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Purchaser or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Purchaser is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound or to which any of the Purchaser’s assets are subject, in each case of the foregoing (i) and (ii), in such a manner that would materially and adversely affect the Purchaser’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Purchaser that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

  7  

 

 

4.6            Consents and Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Purchaser of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

4.7            Investment Intent . The Purchaser is purchasing the Shares solely for its own account for investment and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the Shares or any portion thereof and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell or otherwise disposing of or distributing the Shares or any portion thereof in any transaction, the entire legal and beneficial interest of the Shares is being purchased, and will be held, for the Purchaser’s account only, and neither in whole or in part for any other Person,

 

4.8            Regulation S Eligibility; Restriction on Resale . The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser is acquiring the Shares in an offshore transaction in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S. The Purchaser is not a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S and is located outside of the United States. The Purchaser understands that the Shares to be purchased by the Purchaser has not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements under the Securities Act.

 

4.9            Experience . The Purchaser has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in its Purchased Shares. The Purchaser is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment, including a complete loss of its investment.

 

5. COVENANTS.

 

5.1            Use of Proceeds . The Company shall use the proceeds from the issuance of the Shares for general corporate purposes and shall not be used to repay any shareholders loans.

 

5.2            Further Assurances . From the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Company and the Purchaser shall use their reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

6. INDEMNIFICATION.

 

6.1            Indemnification . The Company (an “ Indemnifying Party” ) shall indemnify and hold the Purchaser and its directors, officers, employees, advisors and agents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Party ”) harmless from and against any losses, claims, damages, fines, expenses and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of. any pending or threatened legal action or proceeding, and any taxes or levies that may be payable by such person by reason of the indemnification of any indemnifiable loss hereunder (collectively, “ Losses ”) resulting from or arising out of: (a) the breach of any representation or warranty of such indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or in any schedule or exhibit hereto; or (b) the violation or nonperformance, partial or total, of any covenant or agreement of such Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement for reasons other than gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In calculating the amount of any Losses of an Indemnified Party hereunder, there shall be subtracted the amount of any insurance proceeds and third-party payments received by the Indemnified Party with respect to such Losses, if any.

 

  8  

 

 

6.2            Third Party Claims .

 

(a)           If any third party shall notify any Indemnified Party in writing with respect to any matter involving a claim by such third party (a “ Third Party Claim” ) which such Indemnified Party believes would give rise to a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party under this Article 6, then the Indemnified Party shall promptly (i) notify the Indemnifying Party thereof in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of such claim and (ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (“ Claim Notice ”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), and the basis of the Indemnified Parly’s request for indemnification under this Agreement.

 

(b)           Upon receipt of a Claim Notice with respect to a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim by, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Claim Notice, notifying the Indemnified Party in writing that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, and upon delivery of such notice by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to fully control and settle the proceeding, provided , that, any such settlement or compromise shall be permitted hereunder only with the written consent of the Indemnified Party.

 

(c)          If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, cooperate with the indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including the making of any related counterclaim against the person asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint against any person. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to receive copies of all pleadings, notices and communications with respect to any Third Party Claim, other than any privileged communications between the Indemnifying Party and its counsel, and shall be entitled, at its sole cost and expense, to retain separate co-counsel and participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim assumed by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 6.2(b) of this Agreement.

 

(d)           In the event of a Third Party Claim for which the Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense or fails to make such an election within the thirty (30) days of the Claim Notice, the Indemnified Party may, at its option, defend, settle, compromise or pay such action or claim at the expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided , that, any such settlement or compromise shall be permitted hereunder only with the written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

  9  

 

 

6.3            Other Claims . In the event any Indemnified Party should have a claim against the Indemnifying Party hereunder which docs not involve a Third Party Claim, the indemnified Party shall promptly transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (the “ Indemnity Notice” ) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to such claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Indemnity Notice that the Indemnifying Party disputes such claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed with such claim.

 

7. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

7.1            Survival of the Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made by any party hereto shall survive for eighteen (18) months and shall terminate and be without further force or effect on the date that is eighteen (18) months from the date hereof, except as to any claims thereunder which have been asserted in writing pursuant to Section 6.1 against the party making such representations and warranties on or prior to such date that is eighteen (18) months from the date hereof.

 

7.2            Governing Law; Arbitration. This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of New York without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination (“ Dispute” ) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules then in force. There shall be three arbitrators. Each Party has the right to appoint one arbitrator and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English. The seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may be entitled or become entitled (including without limitation sovereign immunity, immunity to pre-award attachment, post-award attachment or otherwise) in any arbitration proceedings and/or enforcement proceedings against it arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

7.3            Amendment . This Agreement shall not be amended, changed or modified, except by another agreement in writing executed by the parties hereto.

 

7.4            Binding Effect . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Purchaser, the Company, and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.

 

7.5            Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, duties or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Company or the Purchaser without the express written consent of the other Party, except that the Purchaser may assign or pledge all or any part of its rights and obligations hereunder and under this Agreement to any Affiliate of the Purchaser, without the consent of the Company, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such obligations. Any purported assignment in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void.

 

7.6            Notices . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of actual delivery if delivered personally to the party hereto to whom notice is to be given, on the date sent if sent by telecopier, tested telex or prepaid telegram, on the next business day following delivery to Federal Express properly addressed or on the day of attempted delivery by the U.S. Postal Service if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage paid, and properly addressed as follows:

 

  10  

 

 

If to the Company, at: Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.
  No. 4 Drive-in Movie Theater Park, No. 21
  Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing.
  P.R.C. 100125
  Attn: Legal Department
  Telecopy: 86+10-8586-2775
   
  With a copy to:
  Seven Stars Cloud Group. Inc.
  55 Broadway, 19 th Floor
  New York, NY 10006
  Ann: President
  Telecopy:
   
If to the Purchaser, at: Star Thrive Group Limited
   
  P.O.Box 957, Offshore Incorporation Centre
  Road Town. Tortola, British Virgin Islands

 

Any party hereto may change its address for purposes of this Section 7.6 by giving the other Party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

 

7.7            Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby, and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or in writing, if any, between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby are merged and superseded by this Agreement.

 

7.8            Severability . If any provisions of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any action or proceeding whether in its entirety or in any portion, then such provision shall be deemed amended, if possible, or deleted, as the case may be, from the Agreement in order to render the remainder of the Agreement and any provision thereof both valid and enforceable, and all other provisions hereof shall be given effect separately therefrom and shall not be affected thereby.

 

7.9            Fees and Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company and the Purchaser will bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants and financial advisors.

 

7.10          Confidentiality , (a) Each party hereto shall keep in confidence, and shall not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any non-public information disclosed to it or its affiliates, representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) each party hereto shall ensure that its affiliates, representatives and agents keep in confidence, and do not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any such non-public information, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall restrict any party from disclosing information (i) that is already publicly available and not as a result of a breach of this section, or (ii) that may be required by applicable law. statute, treaty, rule, regulation, order, right, privilege, qualification, license or franchise or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other governmental authority or stock exchange; provided however , that any disclosure related to the terms of the transactions contemplated hereby shall require the Company to provide prior written notice to the Purchaser and at least a time period not shorter than two (2) Business Days for the Purchaser to review and provide comments on such disclosure.

 

  11  

 

 

7.11          Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties hereto shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

 

7.12          Headings . The headings of the various articles and sections of this Agreement are inserted merely for the purpose of convenience and do not expressly or by implication limit, define or extend the specific terms of the section so designated,

 

7.14          Execution in Counterparts; . For the convenience of the Parties and to facilitate execution, this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument

 

7.15          No Waiver . Except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or remedy or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

  12  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Bruno Wu
    Name: Bruno wu
    Title: Chairman/CEO
    July 18, 2018.

 

SharesShares

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Star Thrive Group Limited
   
     
  By: /s/ JIANG Shihao
    Name: JIANG Shihao
    Title: Director
     
     

 

SharesShares

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER is made as of July 18, 2018 by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Buyer”), GLI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer (the “Acquisition Company”) and Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the Holder Representative.

 

Recitals

 

The Boards of Directors of the Company, the Buyer and the Acquisition Company, and stockholders representing at least a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s outstanding capital stock (by written consent), have approved a merger (the “Merger”) of the Acquisition Company with and into the Company in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

WITNESSETH :

 

In consideration of the mutual promises, representations and warranties, covenants, payments and actions herein provided, the parties hereto, each intending to be legally bound hereby, do agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions .

 

For convenience, certain terms used in this Agreement are listed in alphabetical order and defined or referred to below (such terms as well as any other terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement shall be equally applicable to both singular and plural forms of the terms defined).

 

“Agreement” means this Agreement and Plan of Merger and the exhibits and schedules hereto.

 

“Business” means the existing business and any business currently be planned by the Company (without regard to this acquisition); and the operations, facilities and other assets, financial condition, results of operations, finances, markets, products, competitive positions, raw materials and other supplies, and customers and customer relations of the Company or the Buyer, as the case may be, including without limitation, the business of social influencer marketing (or SIM).

 

“Business Condition” means the Business and assets of the Company or the Buyer, as the case may be.

 

“Cash Balance Time” is defined in Section 2.12(a).

 

 

 

 

“Closing” and “Closing Date” are defined in Section 2.9.

 

“Closing Cash Statement” is defined in Section 2.12(c).

 

“Closing Net Cash” is defined in Section 2.12(c).

 

“Company Common Stock” is defined in Section 2.7(b).

 

“Company’s knowledge” means the actual or constructive knowledge of Grant Deken, after due inquiry.

 

“Contract” means any written or oral contract, agreement, lease, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, guarantee, other evidence of indebtedness, license, option, contract, undertaking, understanding, covenant, instrument, other document or other commitment that is binding on any person or its property under applicable law.

 

“Court Order” means any judgment, decree, injunction, order or ruling of any federal, state or local court, arbitral body or other dispute resolution body, or Governmental Entity that is binding on any person or its property under applicable law.

 

“DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporation Law as in effect upon the Effective Time.

 

“Disputed Amounts” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

“Downpayment” is defined in Section 2.8(a).

 

“Downpayment Escrow Agent” is defined in Section 2.8(a).

 

“Downpayment Escrow Provisions” is defined in Section 2.8(a).

 

“Effective Time” is defined in Section 2.2.

 

“Eligible Option” is defined in Section 2.6.

 

“Indemnification Escrow Agreement” means the Escrow Agreement to be entered into by Buyer, the Holder Representative and the Indemnification Escrow Agent at the Closing, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 .

 

“Indemnification Escrow Agent” means Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.

 

“Indemnification Escrow Amount” means Five Hundred Thirty Thousand Dollars ($530,000.00).

 

  2  

 

 

“Indemnification Escrow Funds” is defined in Section 2.11.

 

“Estimated Closing Adjustment” is defined in Section 2.12(b).

 

“Estimated Net Cash” is defined in Section 2.12(b).

 

“Governmental Entity” is defined in Section 3.4(b).

 

“Holder” and “Holders” is defined as those holders of capital stock of the Company and Optionees, as identified on Schedule 2.8.

 

“Holder Representative” is defined in Section 9.5.

 

“Independent Accountant” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

“Intellectual Property” means any and all rights in, arising out of, or associated with any of the following in any jurisdiction throughout the world: (a) issued patents and patent applications (whether provisional or non-provisional), including divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutions, reissues, reexaminations, extensions, or restorations of any of the foregoing, and other Governmental Authority-issued indicia of invention ownership (including certificates of invention, petty patents, and patent utility models) (“Patents”); (b) trademarks, service marks, brands, certification marks, logos, trade dress, trade names, and other similar indicia of source or origin, together with the goodwill connected with the use of and symbolized by, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of, any of the foregoing (“Trademarks”); (c) copyrights and works of authorship, whether or not copyrightable, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals of any of the foregoing (“Copyrights”); (d) internet domain names and social media account or user names (including “handles”), whether or not Trademarks, all associated web addresses, URLs, websites and web pages, social media accounts and pages, and all content and data thereon or relating thereto, whether or not Copyrights; (e) mask works, and all registrations, applications for registration, and renewals thereof;(f) industrial designs, and all Patents, registrations, applications for registration, and renewals thereof; (g) trade secrets, know-how, inventions (whether or not patentable), discoveries, improvements, technology, business and technical information, databases, data compilations and collections, tools, methods, processes, techniques, and other confidential and proprietary information and all rights therein (“Trade Secrets”); (h) computer programs, operating systems, applications, firmware, and other code, including all source code, object code, application programming interfaces, data files, databases, protocols, specifications, and other documentation thereof; (i) rights of publicity; and (j) all other intellectual or industrial property and proprietary rights.

 

“Law” means any criminal, civil or common law, statute, ordinance, regulation, Court Order, code, rule, regulation, Permit, policy, guidance document, judgment, decree, injunction, or agreement of any Governmental Entity, including, without limitation, those covering environmental, energy, safety, health, transportation, bribery, record keeping, privacy, data protection, zoning, anti-discrimination, antitrust, wage and hour, employment benefit plans and price and wage control matters.

 

  3  

 

 

“Liability” means any direct or indirect liability, indebtedness, obligation, expense, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any person, absolute or contingent, accrued or unaccrued, due or to become due upon the passage of time, liquidated or unliquidated.

 

“Loss” or “Losses” means losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, Proceedings, judgments, interest, awards, penalties, fines, costs or expenses of whatever kind, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and the cost of enforcing any right to indemnification hereunder and the cost of pursuing any insurance providers; provided, however, that “Loss” or “Losses” shall not include punitive damages, except to the extent actually awarded to a Governmental Entity or other third party.

 

“Material” or “materially” means material or materially to the Business Condition.

 

“Material Company Consents” and “Material Buyer Consents” are defined in Section 5.5.

 

“Merger” is defined in the recitals.

 

“Optionee” is defined in Section 2.7(b)(ii).

 

“Ownership Percentage” is defined in Section 2.8(b).

 

“Permits” means all permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, authorizations, registrations, certificates, variances and similar rights obtained, or required to be obtained, from Governmental Entities.

 

“Post-Closing Adjustment” is defined in Section 2.12(c).

 

“Purchase Price” is defined in Section 2.8(b).

 

“Resolution Period” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

“Review Period” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

“Rights Holder” is defined in Section 2.7(d).

 

“Shares” means Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock.

 

“Statement of Objections” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

“Stock Right” is defined in Section 2.7(d).

 

  4  

 

 

“Surviving Corporation” is the Company upon the Effective Time.

 

“Tax” or Taxes” means all federal, state and local, territorial and foreign taxes, levies, deficiencies or other assessments and other charges of whatever nature (including income, gross receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profits, environmental, customs duties, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, backup withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, real property, personal property, sales, use, transfer, real property gains, registration, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, and estimated taxes and workers’ compensation premiums and other governmental charges, and other obligations of the same nature as or of a nature similar to any of the foregoing) imposed by any taxing authority, as well as any obligation to contribute to the payment of Taxes determined on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, including any interest, penalty (civil or criminal), or addition thereto, whether disputed or not, as well as any expenses incurred in connection with the determination, settlement or litigation of any liability.

 

“Tax Return” means any federal, state, local and foreign return, declaration, report, claim for refund, amended return, declarations of estimated Tax or information return or statement relating to Taxes, and any schedule or attachment thereto, filed or maintained, or required to be filed or maintained in connection with the calculation, determination, assessment or collection of any Tax, and including any amendment thereof, as well as, where permitted or required, affiliated, combined, consolidated, unitary or similar returns for any group of entities that include the Company or any Affiliate; and reports with respect to backup withholding and other payments to third parties.

 

“Target Cash” is defined in Section 2.12(a).

 

“Total Cash Consideration” means the Total Common Stock Cash Consideration, Total Eligible Option Cash Consideration and Total Preferred Stock Cash Consideration.

 

“Total Common Stock Cash Consideration” means that amount referenced in Schedule 2.8 .

 

“Total Eligible Option Cash Consideration” means that amount referenced in Schedule 2.8 .

 

“Total Preferred Stock Cash Consideration” means that amount referenced in Schedule 2.8 .

 

“Transaction Documents” means this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated by this Agreement.

 

“Transaction Expenses” means all fees and expenses incurred by the Company and any affiliate at or prior to the Closing in connection with the preparation, negotiation and execution of the Transaction Documents, and the performance and consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

 

  5  

 

 

“Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

 

“Uncleared Payment Date” is defined in Section 2.12(c).

 

“Uncleared Payments” is defined in Section 2.12(a).

 

“Undisputed Amounts” is defined in Section 2.12(d).

 

2. The Merger .

 

2.1         The Merger . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the DGCL, the Acquisition Company shall be merged with and into the Company as soon as practicable following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 6 and 7. Following the Merger, the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation”) under the name “Grapevine Logic, Inc.” and shall continue its existence under the laws of the State of Delaware, and the separate corporate existence of the Acquisition Company shall cease.

 

2.2         Effective Time . The Merger shall be consummated by filing with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of merger in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Certificate of Merger”), as is required by, and executed in accordance with, the relevant provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing being the “Effective Time”). The Merger shall become effective at the close of business on the Closing Date.

 

2.3         Effects of the Merger . The Merger shall have the effects set forth in Section 259 of the DGCL.

 

2.4         Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws . The Certificate of Incorporation of the Acquisition Company, as in effect on the Closing Date, shall be the Certificate of Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation shall be “Grapevine Logic Inc.”. The Bylaws of the Acquisition Company shall be the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation.

 

2.5         Directors and Officers . Schedule 2.5 sets forth the names of the persons who shall be the directors and officers of the Surviving Corporation at the Effective Time.

 

2.6         Stock Options . As of the Closing, the Company shall cause (i) each Company Common Stock option that have not expired or been exercised in full prior to the Effective Time (an “Eligible Option”), whether vested or unvested, to be cancelled as of the Effective Time without further liability or obligation to the Company other than provided hereunder; whereby each such Eligible Option, by virtue of the Closing and without further action on the part of the Optionee, shall be cancelled and converted into the right solely to receive the amounts referenced in Schedule 2.8 .

 

  6  

 

 

2.7         Conversion of Shares; Cash Consideration . The manner and basis of converting the shares and Options of each of the Company and the Acquisition Company shall be as follows:

 

(a)        Each share of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Acquisition Company that is issued and outstanding at the Effective Time shall be converted into and become one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of common stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Surviving Corporation.

 

(b)        Each share of capital stock of the Company shall by virtue of the Merger and without any act on the part of the holder thereof, shall be converted into a right to receive cash in the following amounts:

 

(i) for each Holder of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company outstanding at the Effective Time (“Company Common Stock”), the amount in cash set forth next to such Holder’s name set forth on Schedule 2.8 (such amount being equal to the Total Common Stock Cash Consideration multiplied by such Holder’s Common Stock Ownership Percentage);

 

(ii) for each holder of an Eligible Option (an “Optionee”), the amounts described in Section 2.6 above; and

 

(iii) for each share of Preferred Stock, $.001 par value per share, of the Company outstanding at the Effective Time, including without limitation the Seed 1 Preferred Stock, par value $.001 par value per share and the Seed 2 Preferred Stock, par value $.001 par value per share (collectively, the “Company Preferred Stock”), the amount in cash set forth next to such Holder’s name on Schedule 2.8 (such amount being equal to the Total Preferred Stock Cash Consideration multiplied by such Holder’s Preferred Stock Ownership Percentage).

 

(c)        Each share of Company Common Stock and Company Preferred Stock held in the Company’s treasury immediately prior to the Merger shall, by virtue of the Merger, be cancelled and retired and cease to exist, without any conversion thereof.

 

(d)        Assuming the execution and delivery of the Redemption Agreement (the “Redemption Agreement”) and Right to Acquire Common Stock (the “Stock Right”) by Sun Seven Stars (the “Rights Holder”), the right to acquire Company Class A Common Stock (a “Stock Right”) set forth in the Stock Right shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms at and following the Effective Time; provided that the Buyer acknowledges and agrees that such Stock Right shall only include the right to purchase Class A Common Stock in connection with the Closing under this Agreement and, if this Agreement is terminated without Closing, the Stock Right shall include only the right to purchase the referenced shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock.

 

  7  

 

 

2.8.        Payment of Cash .

 

(a)        Within four (4) days following the date of this Agreement, Buyer shall deliver by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount of Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Dollars $240,000, representing the downpayment towards the Purchase Price (the “Downpayment”) to Company Counsel, LLC as escrow agent (the “Downpayment Escrow Agent”). The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall hold in, and deliver from, escrow, the Downpayment pursuant to the provisions of Section 11 of this Agreement (the “Downpayment Escrow Provisions”). Within four (4) days following the date of this Agreement, Buyer shall deliver by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount of Two Million One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Dollars $2,160,000, representing the remaining amounts due towards the Purchase Price (the “Remaining Purchase Price”) to Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C., to hold in escrow (the “Purchase Price Escrow Agent”). The Purchase Price Escrow Agent shall hold in, and deliver from, escrow, the Remaining Purchase Price per Section 2.8(b) upon the Closing. In the event that Buyer fails to deliver the Downpayment to the Downpayment Escrow Agent or the Remaining Purchase Price to the Purchase Price Escrow Agent within four (4) days following the date of this Agreement, the Company may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to Buyer..

 

(b)        Subject to any adjustments per Section 2.11, on the Closing Date, the Buyer shall (x) pay, or cause the Acquisition Company to pay, or (y) cause the Purchase Price Escrow Agent to pay from escrow, the Remaining Purchase Price, and the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall pay the Downpayment escrowed funds, as follows: (i) to the Escrow Agent, in an amount equal to the Escrow Indemnification Amount per Section 2.11, (ii) to the parties listed under the Transaction Expenses, and (iii) to each Holder, in an amount in proportion to each Holder’s percentage ownership of the Common Stock, Eligible Options or Company Preferred Stock shares (each percentage being referred to herein respectively as a “Common Stock Ownership Percentage,” an “Eligible Option Ownership Percentage,” or a “Preferred Stock Ownership Percentage” and collectively, an “Ownership Percentage”), in all cases as set forth on Schedule 2.8 hereto (as updated by the Buyer at the Closing). The “Purchase Price” shall mean the total amount payable to the Holders of the Common Stock, Eligible Options or Company Preferred Stock as set forth on Schedule 2.8 hereto. The parties shall work together to streamline the wire process relating to each of the escrows distributing the funds.

 

(c)        The Purchase Price shall be paid by wire transfer in immediately available funds at the Closing to each Holder in accordance with such written instructions as shall be delivered to the Buyer by each Holder no less than two business days prior to the Closing Date. The Seller shall deliver an updated Schedule 2.8 two business days prior to the Closing Date to reflect the final distribution amounts.

 

  8  

 

 

2.9         Closing .

 

(a)        As soon as practicable after the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 6 and 7, a closing (the “Closing”) will be held at the offices of the Company (or such other place as the parties may agree). The date on which the Closing occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date.” At the Closing, there shall be delivered (i) the documents referred to in Sections 6 and 7, and (ii) the Certificate of Merger, executed and otherwise prepared for filing.

 

(b)        Contemporaneously with the Closing, the Surviving Corporation shall deliver to the Secretary of State of Delaware a duly executed and verified Certificate of Merger, as required by the DGCL, and the parties shall take all such other and further actions as may be required by law to make the Merger effective upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof.

 

2.10       No Further Transfer of Shares . After the Effective Time, the stock ledger of the Company shall be closed and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the Company of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock outstanding prior to the Effective Time.

 

2.11       Indemnification Escrow Funds . In accordance with the Indemnification Escrow Agreement, at the Closing, Buyer shall deposit or cause to be deposited with the Indemnification Escrow Agent the Indemnification Escrow Amount (such amount, including any interest or other amounts earned thereon and less any disbursements therefrom in accordance with the Escrow Agreement, the “Indemnification Escrow Fund” or the “Indemnification Escrow Funds”), to be held for the purpose of securing the indemnification obligations of the Company and the Holders set forth in this Agreement and the obligations pursuant to Section 2.12.

 

2.12       Cash and Cash Adjustment .

 

(a)         Company’s Target Cash . The Company shall have a cash balance at the close of business on the day before the Closing (the “Cash Balance Time”) in all of the Company’s bank, depository and other accounts, net of all Company payments that have been issued by the Company as of the Cash Balance Time but have not yet been reflected in the applicable depository and other accounts of the Company (the “Uncleared Payments”) as of the Cash Balance Time, of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000) (the “Target Cash”).

 

(b)         Closing Adjustment .

 

(i) On the day before the Closing, the Company shall prepare and deliver to Buyer a statement setting forth the Company’s cash balance as of the Cash Balance Time, net of all Uncleared Payments as of the Cash Balance Time in the Company’s good faith estimate (the “Estimated Net Cash”).

 

(ii) The “Estimated Closing Adjustment” shall be an amount equal to the Target Cash minus the Estimated Net Cash.

 

(iii) There shall only be an Estimated Closing Adjustment if the Estimated Closing Adjustment is a positive number.

 

  9  

 

 

(iii) The Total Cash Consideration shall be reduced by the Estimated Closing Adjustment amount at the Closing.

 

(c)         Post-Closing Adjustment .

 

(i) Between the thirtieth (30th) day after the Closing Date (the “Uncleared Payment Date”) and the sixtieth (60 th ) day after the Closing Date, Buyer shall prepare and deliver to the Holder Representative a statement (the “Closing Cash Statement”) setting forth its calculation of Company’s cash balance as of the Cash Balance Time, net of all Uncleared Payments incurred prior to the Closing Date and debited as of the Uncleared Payment Date (the “Closing Net Cash”), which statement shall contain a schedule of such debited Uncleared Payments.

 

(ii) The “Post-Closing Adjustment” shall be an amount equal to the Estimated Net Cash minus the Closing Net Cash.

 

(d)         Examination and Review .

 

(i) Examination. After receipt of the Closing Cash Statement, the Holder Representative shall have ten (10) days (the “Review Period”) to review the Closing Cash Statement. During the Review Period, the Holder Representative and its accountants shall have full access to the books and records of the Surviving Corporation with respect to the Uncleared Payments for the purpose of reviewing the Closing Cash Statement and to prepare a Statement of Objections (defined below), provided, that such access shall be in a manner that does not interfere with the normal business operations of Buyer or the Surviving Corporation.

 

(ii) Objection. On or prior to the last day of the Review Period, the Holder Representative may object to the Closing Cash Statement by delivering to Buyer a written statement setting forth its objections in reasonable detail, indicating each disputed item or amount and the basis for its disagreement therewith (the “Statement of Objections”). If the Holder Representative fails to deliver the Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Review Period, the Closing Cash Statement and the Post-Closing Adjustment, as the case may be, reflected in the Closing Cash Statement shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Holder Representative. If the Holder Representative delivers the Statement of Objections before the expiration of the Review Period, Buyer and the Holder Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such objections within ten (10) days after the delivery of the Statement of Objections (the “Resolution Period”), and, if the same are so resolved within the Resolution Period, the Post-Closing Adjustment and the Closing Cash Statement with such changes as may have been previously agreed in writing by Buyer and the Holder Representative, shall be final and binding.

 

  10  

 

 

(iii) Resolution of Disputes. If the Holder Representative and Buyer fail to reach an agreement with respect to all of the matters set forth in the Statement of Objections before expiration of the Resolution Period, then any amounts remaining in dispute (“Disputed Amounts” and any amounts not so disputed, the “Undisputed Amounts”) shall be submitted for resolution to the office of an impartial nationally recognized firm of independent certified public accountants (the “Independent Accountant”) appointed by mutual agreement of Buyer and the Holder Representative, who, acting as experts and not arbitrators, shall resolve the Disputed Amounts only and make any adjustments to the Post-Closing Adjustment, as the case may be, and the Closing Cash Statement. The parties hereto agree that all adjustments shall be made without regard to materiality. The Independent Accountant shall only decide the specific items under dispute by the parties and their decision for each Disputed Amount must be within the range of values assigned to each such item in the Closing Cash Statement and the Statement of Objections, respectively.

 

(iv) Fees of the Independent Accountant. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be paid by the Holder Representative (on behalf of the Stockholders), on the one hand, and by Buyer, on the other hand, based upon the percentage that the amount actually contested but not awarded to the Holder Representative or Buyer, respectively, bears to the aggregate amount actually contested by the Holder Representative and Buyer.

 

(v) Determination by Independent Accountant. The Independent Accountant shall make a determination as soon as practicable within thirty (30) days (or such other time as the parties hereto shall agree in writing) after their engagement, and their resolution of the Disputed Amounts and their adjustments to the Closing Cash Statement and/or the Post-Closing Adjustment shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto.

 

(e)         Payment of Post-Closing Adjustment . There shall only be a Post-Closing Adjustment if the Post Closing Adjustment is a positive number. In such case, the Holder Representative and Buyer shall, within five (5) days after the final determination of the Post-Closing Adjustment, jointly instruct the Indemnification Escrow Agent to disburse from the Indemnification Escrow Fund by wire transfer of immediately available funds to Buyer, the Post-Closing Adjustment.

 

(f)         Adjustments for Tax Purposes . Any payments made pursuant to this Section 2.12 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price by the parties for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Law.

 

2.13       Dissenting Shares . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, including Section 2.7 , Shares issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Shares cancelled in accordance with Section 2.07(c) ) and held by a Holder who has not voted in favor of adoption of this Agreement or consented thereto in writing and who has properly exercised appraisal rights of such Shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL (such Shares being referred to collectively as the “Dissenting Shares” until such time as such holder fails to perfect or otherwise loses such holder’s appraisal rights under the DGCL with respect to such Shares) shall not be converted into a right to receive a portion of the Purchase Price, but instead shall be entitled to only such rights as are granted by Section 262 of the DGCL; provided, however, that if, after the Effective Time, such holder fails to perfect, withdraws or loses such holder’s right to appraisal pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL or if a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine that such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Section 262 of the DGCL, such Shares shall be treated as if they had been converted as of the Effective Time into the right to receive the portion of the Purchase Price, if any, to which such Holder is entitled pursuant to Section 2.7 , without interest thereon. The Company shall provide the Buyer with prompt written notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Shares, any withdrawal of any such demand and any other demand, notice or instrument delivered to the Company prior to the Effective Time pursuant to the DGCL that relates to such demand, and the Buyer shall have the opportunity and right to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. Except with the prior written consent of the Buyer, the Company shall not make any payment with respect to, or settle or offer to settle, any such demands.

 

  11  

 

 

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company .

 

The Company represents and warrants to the Buyer, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules corresponding in number to the applicable Section of this Agreement (provided that the disclosure of an item in one Section of the Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed to modify both (i) the representations and warranties contained in the Section of this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and (ii) any other representation and warranty of the Company in this Agreement to the extent that it is reasonably apparent that such disclosure item would also qualify or apply to such other representation and warranty), and all such representations and warranties shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though then made, as follows:

 

3.1         Organization . The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on the Business as it is now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary. The Company has delivered to the Buyer true, correct and complete copies of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as currently in effect. The Company has no wholly or partially owned subsidiaries.

 

3.2         Capitalization .

 

(a)         The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of:

 

(i) 42,965,030 shares of common stock, $.001 par value per share (the “ Common Stock ”), of which 36,482,515 shares have been classified as Class A Common Stock, 7,770,035 shares of which shall be issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, and 6,482,515 of which have been classified as Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, none of which shall be issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date; and

 

(ii) 10,000,000 share of preferred stock, $.001 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”), of which 3,461,240 shares have been classified as Series Seed Preferred Stock, 1,005,143 shares of which shall be issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, and 1,863,837 shares have been classified as Series Seed-2 Preferred Stock, 783,619 of which shall be issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date.

 

  12  

 

 

No other classes or series of securities shall be authorized or outstanding as of the Closing Date. All of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common and preferred stock were duly authorized for issuance and are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and held beneficially and of record as set forth in Schedule 3.2(a) of the Disclosure Schedules. Except pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, the Amended and Restated Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement and the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, none of the shares of the Class A Common Stock or Company Preferred Stock are subject to any pledges, commitments, preemptive rights, rights to acquire or purchase, conversion rights or demands of any character whatsoever.

 

(b)        The Company has reserved 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company pursuant to its 2013 Stock Incentive Plan duly adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the Company stockholders (the “Stock Plan”). Of such reserved shares of Common Stock options to purchase 2,819,253 shares have been granted and are currently vested and shall be deemed outstanding as of Closing. Additionally, assuming the execution and delivery of the Rights Holder of the Redemption Agreement and the Stock Right, there shall be a Stock Right outstanding as of the Closing which entitles the Rights Holder to acquire 6,482,515 shares of Class A Common Stock solely upon the Closing of this Agreement (or Class B Non-Voting Common Stock if the Agreement is terminated). Other than the forgoing in this Section 3.2(b), there is no existing option, warrant, call, right or contract of any character to which the Company is a party requiring, and there are no securities of the Company outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance, sale or transfer of any additional shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company or other securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase shares of capital stock or other equity securities of the Company. Neither the Company nor any Holder is a party to any voting trust or other contract with respect to the voting, redemption, sale, transfer or other disposition of the capital stock of the Company.

 

3.3         Authorization; Validity of Agreement . The Company has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, the Transaction Documents and each of the other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates to be executed and delivered pursuant to this Agreement that is to be signed by the Company to which the Company is a party and to perform the Company’s obligations hereunder and thereunder, and to consummate the Transactions. Each of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents that have been signed by the Company, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors and the stockholders of the Company, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement, and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party, have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and they valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

  13  

 

 

3.4         No Violations; Consents and Approvals .

 

(a)        The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents does not, and the consummation by the Company and the Holders of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or, with the passage of time, give rise to any right of termination, amendment, cancellation or acceleration) under any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which the Company is a party or by which any of the properties or assets of the Company may be bound or otherwise subject, which violation or breach could create liability of any kind for the Buyer, or for the Company, or could in any way result in any interference with the Transactions, or (iii) violate any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its properties or assets.

 

(b)        No filing or registration with, notification to, or authorization, consent or approval of, any United States federal, state, county, municipal or other local jurisdiction, political entity, body, organization, subdivision or branch, legislative or executive agency or department or other regulatory service, authority or agency (a “ Governmental Entity ”) or any other individual or other entity (a “ Person ”) is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any of the other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party or the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, except for such consents, approvals, orders, authorizations, notifications, notices, estoppel certificates, registrations, ratifications, declarations, filings or any waiver, exemption or variance with respect to any license, permit or order as are set forth in Schedule 3.4(b) of the Disclosure Schedules (“ Consents ”).

 

3.5         Financial Information .

 

(a)        The Company has heretofore delivered to the Buyer the Company’s unaudited compiled financial statements, consisting of a balance sheet and the related statements of income and retained earnings, stockholders’ equity and cash flow, at and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and at for the period ending May 31, 2018 (the “ Financial Statements ”). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedules, (1) the Financial Statements are on an accrual basis, are based on the books and records of the Company, and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of such dates and the results of operations of the Company for such periods, and (2) the Company has no liability that would result in a material adverse impact to the financial condition of the Company except for (a) liabilities reflected in the Financial Statements, or (b) liabilities or obligations which have arisen since May 31, 2018 (the “ Balance Sheet Date ”) (i) in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) under existing contracts and agreements, in each case which consistent with past practice and which are not, individually or in the aggregate, material in amount, or (c) liabilities or obligations set forth in Schedule 3.5 of the Disclosure Schedules.

 

  14  

 

 

(b)        The accounts receivable reflected on the May 31, 2018 Balance Sheet and the accounts receivable arising after the date thereof (a) have arisen from bona fide transactions entered into by the Company involving the sale of goods or the rendering of services in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (b) constitute only valid, undisputed claims of the Company not subject to claims of set-off or other defenses or counterclaims other than normal cash discounts accrued in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; and (c) subject to a reserve for bad debts shown on the May 31, 2018 Balance Sheet or, with respect to accounts receivable arising after the Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Company, are collectible in full within sixty (60) days after billing. The reserve for bad debts shown on the May 31, 2018 Balance Sheet or, with respect to accounts receivable arising after the May 31, 2018 Balance Sheet Date, on the accounting records of the Company have been consistently applied, subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of disclosures normally made in footnotes.

 

3.6         No Material Adverse Change . Except as set forth in Schedule 3.6 of the Disclosure Schedules, since the Balance Sheet Date, no event, condition or circumstance has occurred that has had, or to the Company’s knowledge could be reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the Business, or on the results of operations or annualized revenue rate of the Company or the Business (a “ Material Adverse Effect ”). As amplification and not in limitation of the foregoing, except as set for in Schedule 3.6 , since such date, the Company has not (i) made any change in any method of accounting or accounting practice, principle or policy used by the Company, (ii) incurred any Indebtedness, obligation or liability or paid, satisfied or discharged any Indebtedness, obligation or liability prior to the due date or maturity thereof; except for current indebtedness, obligations and liabilities in the ordinary course of business as set forth in Section 3.5, (iii) paid any bonus or made any distribution or other payment to any of the Company’s employees not including the base salary, monthly bonuses and commissions, and other standard bonuses due to such employee paid in the ordinary course of business, or (iv) made any change or modification in any manner to its (A) billing and collection policies, procedures and practices with respect to accounts receivable or unbilled charges, (B) policies, procedures and practices with respect to the provision of discounts, rebates or allowances, or (C) payment policies, procedures and practices with respect to accounts payable; and none of the foregoing has been committed to, or is planned or contemplated, by the Company.

 

3.7         Litigation; Compliance with Law; Licenses and Permits .

 

(a)        There is no claim, suit, action, audit, investigation or proceeding (“ Proceeding ”) pending, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is there any Proceeding threatened, against the Company or the Business, by or before any Governmental Entity, court, arbitration panel or any other Person.

 

(b)        There are no outstanding or unsatisfied Court Orders against or affecting the Company or any of its properties or assets.

 

  15  

 

 

(c)        The Company has complied with all applicable Laws applicable to the Business, except where the failure to comply would not have, or reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has not received any notice of any violation of any Law the failure comply with which would have, or reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d)        All Permits required for the Company to conduct the Business have been obtained by it and are valid and in full force and effect. Section 3.7(d) of the Disclosure Schedules lists all current Permits issued to the Company. No event has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation, suspension, lapse or limitation of any such Permit.

 

3.8         Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA .

 

(a)         Schedule 3.8(a) of the Disclosure Schedules, lists each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other material employee benefit (including, without limitation, any non-qualified plans), bonus, deferred compensation, incentive, stock option (or other equity-based), severance, change-in-control, medical insurance and fringe benefit plans maintained for the benefit of, or contributed to by the Company or any trade or business of the Company, whether or not incorporated (an “ ERISA Affiliate ”), that would be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ ERISA ”) or Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o), for the benefit of any employee or former employee of the Company (the “ Plans ”). None of the Plans is a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) of ERISA. The Company has heretofore delivered to the Buyer true, correct and complete copies of each of the Plans, including all amendments to date.

 

(b)        Each of the Plans that is subject to ERISA complies with ERISA and the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “ Code ”) and any applicable local Laws, and has been administered in accordance with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code and any applicable local Laws. There are no pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, claims (other than routine claims for benefits), actions, suits or proceedings by, on behalf of or against any of the Plans or any trusts related thereto.

 

(c)        No Plan provides benefits including, without limitation, death or medical benefits (whether or not insured), with respect to any employees or former employees of the Company beyond their retirement or other termination of service (other than (i) coverage mandated by applicable law, (ii) death benefits or retirement benefits under any “employee pension plan,” as that term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, or (iii) benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee (or his or her beneficiary)).

 

(d)        Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has (i) incurred or reasonably expects to incur, either directly or indirectly, any material Liability under Title I or Title IV of ERISA or related provisions of the Code or applicable local Law relating to employee benefit plans; (ii) failed to timely pay premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation; (iii) withdrawn from any Plan; (iv) engaged in any transaction which would give rise to liability under Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (v) incurred taxes under Section 4971 of the Code with respect to any Single Employer Plan; or (vi) participated in a multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWA).

 

  16  

 

 

3.9         Real Property .

 

(a)        The Company owns no real property and has never owned any real property.

 

(b)         Schedule 3.9(b) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a list and description of all real property leases and subleases, written or oral, at will or otherwise, under which the Company is a tenant or subtenant (each a “ Lease ” and together the “ Leases ”), including the date of the Lease, the premises demised thereunder, the name and address of each lessee and lessor, the commencement date and expiration date of the Lease and the annual or other rent payable by the lessee under the Lease. As used herein, the term “ Leased Real Property ” shall mean the real property demised by the Leases.

 

(c)        The Company has heretofore delivered to the Buyer true, correct and complete copies of any Leases. Each of the Leases is in full force and effect and is enforceable in accordance with its terms. The Company is in possession of and quietly enjoys the Leased Real Property applicable to it and the Company has a valid and enforceable leasehold interest, subject to no liens, charges, claims, pledges, security interests or other encumbrances (collectively, the “ Liens ”) except immaterial easements and rights-of-way, none of which interferes with the operation of the Business as currently conducted by it. No event has occurred or failed to occur that, with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute a default under any Lease. No Person has entered into any assignment of any Lease or sublease, subleased all or any portion of any Leased Real Property and, to the knowledge of the Holders, no person has any right to occupy the Leased Real Property other than the Company.

 

3.10       Intellectual Property; Computer Software .

 

(a)         Schedule 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedules, lists all Intellectual Property that is owned by the Company or used by the Company in the operations of the Business, and there are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claims by any Person relating to the Company’s use of any such Intellectual Property. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10(a) of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company has such rights of ownership (free and clear of all Liens) of, or such rights by license, lease or other agreement to use (free and clear of all Liens) the Intellectual Property that is material to the conduct of the Business as currently conducted, and as is necessary to permit the Company to conduct its business. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.10 , the Company is not obligated to pay any royalty or similar fee to any Person in connection with the Company’s use or license of any of the Intellectual Property.

 

  17  

 

 

(b)        The Company has entered into binding, valid and enforceable, written Contracts with each current and former employee and independent contractor who is or was involved in or has contributed to the invention, creation, or development of any Intellectual Property during the course of employment or engagement with the Company whereby such employee or independent contractor (i) acknowledges the Company’s exclusive ownership of all Intellectual Property invented, created, or developed by such employee or independent contractor within the scope of his or her employment or engagement with the Company; (ii) grants to the Company a present, irrevocable assignment of any ownership interest such employee or independent contractor may have in or to such Intellectual Property; and (iii) irrevocably waives any right or interest, including any moral rights, regarding such Intellectual Property, to the extent permitted by applicable Law. The Company has provided Buyer with true and complete copies of all such Contracts.

 

(c)        With respect to the Business, none of the Company’s ownership rights or rights to use any of the Intellectual Property will be adversely affected by any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(d)        The conduct of the Company’s Business as currently and formerly conducted (and as proposed to be conducted), and the products, processes and services of the Company, have not infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, and will not infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate, the Intellectual Property or other rights of any Person. To the Company’s knowledge, no Person has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated any Company Intellectual Property owned or licensed by the Company.

 

(e)        The computer hardware, servers, networks, platforms, peripherals, data communication lines, and other information technology equipment and related systems, including any outsourced systems and processes, that are owned or used by the Company (“Company Systems”) are reasonably sufficient for the immediate and anticipated needs of the Company’s Business if used as intended to be used and in accordance with instructions. To the Company’s knowledge, in the past eighteen (18) months, there has been no unauthorized access, use, intrusion, or breach of security, or material failure, breakdown, performance reduction, or other adverse event affecting any Company Systems, that has caused or could reasonably be expected to cause any: (i) substantial disruption of or interruption in or to the use of such Company Systems or the conduct of the Company’s business; (ii) material loss, destruction, damage, or harm of or to the Company or its operations, personnel, property, or other assets; or (iii) material Liability of any kind to the Company. The Company has taken all reasonable actions to protect the integrity and security of the Company Systems and the data and other information stored or processed thereon. The Company (i) maintains commercially reasonable backup and data recovery, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans, procedures, and facilities; (ii) acts in compliance therewith; and (iii) tests such plans and procedures on a regular basis, and such plans and procedures have been proven effective in all material respects upon such testing.

 

3.11       Title to Assets .

 

(a)        The Company has good and marketable title to all of its assets material to the conduct of the Business, free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens disclosed in Schedule 3.11(a) of the Disclosure Schedules.

 

  18  

 

 

(b)        The Company owns or leases all material personal property and intangible property or assets necessary for the conduct of the Business as it is presently conducted.

 

3.12       Material Contracts .

 

(a)         Schedule 3.12 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth, to the knowledge of Company, a true, complete and correct list of every Contract with respect to the Business that (i) provides for aggregate future payments by Company or to the Company of more than $10,000; (ii) was entered into by the Company with the Holders or any one of them, or an officer, director or significant employee of the Company; (iii) is a collective bargaining or similar agreement; (iv) involves an agreement with any bank, finance company or similar organization; (v) restricts the Company or the Business from engaging in any business or activity anywhere in the world; or (vi) any other Contract that is material to the rights, properties, assets, business or operations of the Company or the Business (the foregoing, collectively, “ Material Contracts ”). Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12 , the Company has heretofore provided true, complete and correct copies of all Material Contracts to the Buyer.

 

(b)        Except as set forth in Schedule 3.12(b) of the Disclosure Schedules, (i) there is not, and to the knowledge of the Company there has not been claimed or alleged by any Person with respect to any Material Contract, any existing default, or event that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a default or event of default, on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of Company, on the part of any other party thereto and (ii) no consent, approval, authorization or waiver from, or notice to, any Governmental Entity or other Person is required in order to maintain in full force and effect any of the Material Contracts, other than such consents and waivers that have been obtained and are unconditional and in full force and effect and such notices that have been duly given and copies of such consents, waivers and notices have been delivered to the Buyer.

 

3.13       Taxes . As to the Company:

 

(a)        The Company has (i) except as set forth in Schedule 3.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedules, duly and timely filed or caused to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service or other applicable Governmental Entity (collectively, “ Taxing Authorities ”) all Tax Returns (as defined below) that are required to be filed by or on behalf of the Company or that include or relate to the Business or any of its assets, which Tax Returns are true, correct and complete in all material respects, and (ii), except as set forth in Schedule 3.13(a) of the Disclosure Schedules, duly and timely paid in full or caused to be paid in full all Taxes shown to be due on such Tax Returns. The Company has complied with all applicable Laws relating to the payment and withholding of Taxes and has duly and timely withheld and paid over to the appropriate Taxing Authority all amounts required to be so withheld and paid under all applicable Laws. No audit, examination, investigation, reassessment or other administrative or court proceeding (collectively, a “ Tax Proceeding ”) is currently ongoing or, to the knowledge of the Company, proposed, with regard to any Tax or Tax Return referred to above, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Taxing Authority is contemplating such a Tax Proceeding and there is no basis for any such Tax Proceeding that would have material adverse effect on the Tax basis of any acquired asset. There is no Lien for any Tax upon the Business or any assets of the Company, except for Taxes not yet due and payable.

 

  19  

 

 

(b)        No claim has been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where the Company does not file Tax Returns such that it is or may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

 

(c)        The Company has never been a member of any consolidated, combined, affiliated or unitary group of corporations for any Tax purposes other than a group in which the Company is the common parent.

 

(d)        The Company is not a party to any tax sharing, allocation, indemnity or similar agreement or arrangement (whether or not written) pursuant to which it will have any obligation to make any payments after the Closing Date.

 

(e)        There is no contract, agreement, plan or arrangement covering any person that, individually or collectively, could give rise to the payment of any amount that would not be deductible by Buyer or the Company by reason of Code Section 280G.

 

(f)        The Company is not a foreign person within the meaning of Code Section 1445.

 

(g)        The Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Code Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii).

 

(h)        As used herein, (i) “ Tax Return ” means any return, declaration, report, information return or statement, and any amendment thereto, including without limitation any consolidated, combined or unitary return or other document (including any related or supporting information), filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection, payment, refund or credit of any federal, state, local or foreign Tax or the administration of any Laws relating to any Tax, and (ii) “ Tax “ or “ Taxes ” means any and all taxes, charges, fees, levies, deficiencies or other assessments of whatever kind or nature including, without limitation, all net income, gross income, profits, gross receipts, excise, real or personal property, sales, withholding, social security, retirement, excise, employment, unemployment, minimum, estimated, severance, stamp, property, occupation, environmental, windfall profits, use, service, net worth, payroll, franchise, license, gains, customs, transfer, recording and other taxes, customs duty, fees assessments or charges of any kind whatsoever, imposed by any Taxing Authority.

 

3.14      Affiliated Party Transactions . Except for obligations and benefits arising under this Agreement, or as set forth in Schedule 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedules, as of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of Company, neither of the Company nor any employee (other than in return for their continued employment) will have, directly or indirectly, any obligation to or claim against the Business and none of the Company or any Persons presently or formerly controlled by or are under common control with the Company (collectively, “ Affiliates ”) will have, directly or indirectly, any obligation to, or cause of action or claim against, the Company or the Business.

 

  20  

 

 

3.15       No Brokers . Except as described in Schedule 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedules, the Company has not employed or otherwise engaged any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage or investment banking fees, commissions, finders’ fees or other similar fees in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

3.16       Insurance . Schedule 3.16 of the Disclosure Schedules contains a complete and correct list of all policies of insurance of any kind or nature covering the Company, including policies of life, fire, theft, casualty, product liability, workmen’s compensation, business interruption, employee fidelity, directors & officers, errors & omissions, and other casualty and liability insurance. All such policies are valid, outstanding and enforceable policies. All such insurance policies or comparable coverage shall be continued in full force and effect through the Closing Date. The Company has paid all premiums on such policies when due in accordance with the terms of such policies. At no time during the last three years has any policy of insurance of the Company been terminated or otherwise cancelled for non-payment, non-compliance or any other reason whatsoever by any party other than such Company as permitted by and in accordance with the express provisions of such policy or policies.

 

3.17       Books and Records . The minute books and stock record books of the Company, all of which have been made available to Buyer, are complete and correct and have been maintained in accordance with sound business practices. The minute books of the Company contain accurate and complete records of all meetings, and actions taken by written consent of, the stockholders and the Board of Directors of the Company, and any committees of the Company’s Board of Directors, and no meeting, or action taken by written consent, of any such stockholders, Board of Directors or committee has been held for which minutes or consents have not been prepared and are not contained in such minute books. At the Closing, all of those books and records will be in the possession of the Company.

 

3.18       Relationships .

 

(a)         Schedule 3.18(a) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of the suppliers of the Company to whom, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company made payments aggregating $10,000 or more showing, with respect to each, the name and dollar volume involved (“ Suppliers ”). Since December 31, 2017, no Supplier of the Company has notified the Company that it has cancelled, materially modified, or terminated its relationship with the Company, or during said period has decreased materially its services, supplies or materials furnished to the Company, nor does any Supplier have, to the knowledge of the Company, any plan or intention to do any of the foregoing, excepting for all of the aforementioned cases, circumstances in which the Company has stopped using a Supplier, reduced the usage of a given Supplier, or engaged other suppliers to perform similar services in place of any Supplier in the ordinary course of business.

 

  21  

 

 

(b)         Schedule 3.18(b) of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a true and complete list of the customers of the Company to whom, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, the Company invoiced an aggregate of $10,000 or more showing, with respect to each, the name and dollar volume involved (“ Customers ”).

 

3.19       Labor Matters . There are no labor strikes, slow-downs or stoppages or other labor troubles pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened with respect to the employees of the Company; there is no collective bargaining agreement binding on the Company and there is no agreement which restricts the Company from relocating or closing any or all of its businesses or operations; there are no grievances asserted that could reasonably be expected to have an Material Adverse Effect, nor is there pending any arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any labor union agreement; the Company has not experienced any work stoppage during the last five (5) years.

 

3.20       Certain Employees and Consultants .

 

(a)         Schedule 3.20 of the Disclosure Schedules sets forth a complete and correct list for any parties receiving compensation of $50,000 or more in either of the respective periods of the names, and annual compensation for calendar year 2017 and estimated annual compensation for calendar year 2018 (which amounts for each such employee and/or consultant and collectively have not increased materially since such period, except as otherwise might have increased relative to increased sales, development, or processing needs of the Company in the ordinary course of business) and title, for each employee and consultant of the Company who received or was entitled to receive compensation or fees of any kind during such Company’s current fiscal year. Except as set forth in Schedule 3.20 , neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions hereunder will: (i) result in any material payment (including, without limitation, severance, “change of control” compensation or golden parachute) becoming due to any employee, officer or director of the Company, (ii) materially increase any benefits otherwise payable under any benefit plan, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting of any such benefits to any material extent. The Company is not aware of any employee who intends to terminate his or her relationship with the Company, either as a result of the Transactions or otherwise. The Company is not a party to or bound by any employment contracts or other contracts, agreements or commitments to or with individual current or former employees, consultants or agents that are still in effect, whether written or oral, except for offer letters and other standard agreements that are terminable at will by the Company.

 

(b)        Each individual who is classified by the Company as an independent contractor has been properly classified as such.

 

3.21      Business Metrics . Schedule 3.21 of the Disclosure Schedules, which sets forth certain key metrics of the Company’s Business and product platform, including the number of registered users, the total estimated reachable audience through such registered users and the Company’s key verticles, is accurate and complete in all material respects as of the date set forth on Schedule 3.21 .

 

  22  

 

 

3.22      Full Disclosure . No representation or warranty by the Company in this Agreement and no statement contained in the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement or any certificate furnished or to be furnished to the Buyer pursuant to this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances in which they are made, not misleading.

 

4. Representations and Warranties of the Buyer .

 

The Buyer represents and warrants to the Company, except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedules corresponding in number to the applicable Section of this Agreement (provided that the disclosure of an item in one Section of the Disclosure Schedules shall be deemed to modify both (i) the representations and warranties contained in the Section of this Agreement to which it corresponds in number and (ii) any other representation and warranty of the Company in this Agreement to the extent that it is reasonably apparent that such disclosure item would also qualify or apply to such other representation and warranty),and all such representations and warranties shall be true and correct at and as of the Closing Date as though then made as follows:

 

4.1         Organization .

 

(a)        The Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Nevada and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The Buyer is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary.

 

(b)        Acquisition Corp. is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. Acquisition Corp. is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary.

 

4.2         Authorization; Validity of Agreement .

 

(a)        The Buyer has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each other agreement executed or to be executed by the Buyer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement (collectively, the “ Buyer Agreements ”) and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution, delivery and performance by the Buyer of this Agreement and the Buyer Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of the Buyer, and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Buyer are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Buyer Agreements by the Buyer and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement and each Buyer Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Buyer and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, is a valid and binding obligation of the Buyer enforceable against the Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

  23  

 

 

(b)        Acquisition Corp. has the requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery and performance by Acquisition Corp. of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of Acquisition Corp. and by the Buyer, as sole stockholder of Acquisition Corp., and no other corporate proceedings on the part of Acquisition Corp. are necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Acquisition Corp. and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Acquisition Corp. and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, is a valid and binding obligation of Acquisition Corp. enforceable against Acquisition Corp. in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be subject to or limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally.

 

4.3         No Violations; Consents and Approvals .

 

(a)        The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Buyer Agreements by the Buyer or Acquisition Corp., as applicable, do not, and the consummation by the Buyer and Acquisition Corp. of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not, (i) violate any provision of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the Buyer or Acquisition Corp., (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) a default (or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration) under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material note, bond, mortgage, indenture, guarantee, other evidence of indebtedness, license, contract, agreement or other instrument to which the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. is a party or by which the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. or any of their respective properties or assets may be bound or otherwise subject or (iii) violate any order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, law, statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. or any of their respective properties or assets.

 

(b)        No filing or registration with, notification to, or authorization, consent or approval of, any Governmental Entity or Person is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or the Transaction Documents by the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. or the consummation by the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

4.4        Governmental Consents . Neither the Buyer nor Acquisition Corp. needs to give any notice to, make any filing with, or obtain any authorization, consent, or approval of any government or governmental agency in order for the Parties to consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  24  

 

 

4.5         Legal Compliance . The Buyer and Acquisition Corp. has complied with all applicable laws of federal state, local and foreign government (and all agencies thereof), and no action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, compliant, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced by any of them alleging any failure so to comply, except where the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Buyer.

 

4.6         Litigation . There is no legal, administrative, arbitral or other proceeding by or before any Governmental Entity pending or, to the knowledge of the Buyer, threatened against the Buyer or Acquisition Corp., nor to the knowledge of the Buyer is there any pending investigation by any Governmental Entity, which would give any third party the right to enjoin or rescind the contemplated transaction or otherwise prevent the Buyer or Acquisition Corp. from complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

4.7         No Other Representations or Warranties . The Buyer hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 (as qualified and limited by the Disclosure Schedule), none of the Company or any of its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives or advisors, or any other person, has made or is making any express or implied representation or warranty on behalf of the Company, and the Buyer has not relied on any statement or information except for the express representations and warranties set forth in Section 3 (as qualified and limited by the Disclosure Schedule).

 

5. Company Covenants .

 

5.1        Conduct of the Company Business Pending the Merger . During the period from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to its terms or the Effective Time (the “Pre-Closing Period”), the Company agrees, except to the extent that (i) Buyer consents in writing, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, to carry on its business in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) the Company acts or refrains from acting at the request of the Buyer (it being understood that the Company has no obligation to do so). In addition, without limiting the foregoing, other than as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (x) without obtaining the written consent of the Buyer, which will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, or (y) unless the Company acts or refrains from acting at the request of the Buyer (it being understood that the Company has no obligation to do so), the Company will not do any of the following:

 

(a)        amend or otherwise change its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or otherwise alter its corporate structure through merger, liquidation, reorganization or otherwise;

 

(b)        issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition or encumbrance of, any shares of capital stock of any class, or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other rights of any kind to acquire any shares of capital stock, or any other ownership interest (including, without limitation, any phantom interest) (except for the issuance of shares of common stock issuable pursuant to employee stock options under currently existing employee stock option plans or pursuant to currently outstanding warrants, as the case may be, which options, warrants or rights, as the case may be, are outstanding on the date hereof);

 

  25  

 

 

(c)        redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares of the Company Capital Stock (other than pursuant to a repurchase right in favor of the Company with respect to unvested shares at no more than cost or any such actions relating to the Redemption Agreement, Stock Right and/or the Rights Holder);

 

(d)        incur any indebtedness or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money or issue or sell any debt securities or guarantee any debt securities or other obligations of others or sell, pledge, dispose of or create an Encumbrance over any assets (except for (i) sales of assets in the ordinary course of business and (ii) dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets);

 

(e)        accelerate, amend or change the period (or permit any acceleration, amendment or change) of exercisability of options or warrants or authorize cash payments in exchange for any options, except as may be required under this Agreement;

 

(f)        declare, set aside, make or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any of its capital stock, (ii) split, combine or reclassify any of its capital stock or issue or authorize or propose the issuance of any other securities in respect of, in lieu of or in substitution for shares of its capital stock or (iii) amend the terms of, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its securities, or propose to do any of the foregoing;

 

(g)        acquire (by merger, consolidation, or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or other business organization or division thereof or any other material property or assets;

 

(h)        take any action, other than as required by generally accepted accounting policies (“GAAP”), to change accounting policies or procedures;

 

(i)         make or change any material tax election inconsistent with past practices, adopt or change any Tax accounting method, or settle or compromise any material federal, state, local or foreign tax liability or agree to an extension of a statute of limitations for any assessment of any tax;

 

(j)         pay, discharge or satisfy any claims, liabilities or obligations (absolute, accrued, asserted or unasserted, contingent or otherwise), other than the payment, discharge or satisfaction in the ordinary course of business of liabilities reflected or reserved against in the financial statements of the Company, or incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(k)         initiate any litigation, action, suit, proceeding, claim or arbitration or settle or agree to settle any litigation, action, suit, proceeding, claim or arbitration (in each case, except in connection with this Agreement); and

 

(l)         take, or agree in writing or otherwise to take, any of the actions described in Sections 5(a) through (k) above.

 

  26  

 

 

The Parties acknowledge and agree that (i) nothing contained in this Agreement shall give the Buyer, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the Company’s operations prior to the Effective Time; (ii) prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its operations; and (iii) notwithstanding anything contrary set forth in this Agreement, no consent of the Buyer will be required with respect to any matter set forth in the Agreement to the extent the requirement of such consent would violate any applicable Law.

 

5.2     Company Financial Statements . The Company shall deliver to the Buyer the Company Financial Statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, reviewed by an outside certified public accountant, within sixty (60) days following the date of this Agreement.

 

6. Conditions Precedent to the Buyer’s and Acquisition Company’s Obligations .

 

All obligations of the Buyer and the Acquisition Company to be performed on the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Buyer or the Acquisition Company) of the following conditions:

 

6.1        Representations True . The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of this Agreement shall be true and correct, in all respects (in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty not qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect), at and as of the Closing Date.

 

6.2        Performance of Covenants . The Company shall not have failed to perform, in a material respect, any of covenants and agreements that are to be performed by it under Section 5.1 of this Agreement on or prior to the Closing Date, provided, however, that, Buyer shall have first provided written notice of the failure prior to the Closing Data and the Company shall have failed to cure such failure within five (5) days of receipt of such notice.

 

6.3        Regulatory Compliance and Approvals . All approvals required under any Laws by the Company to carry out the Merger shall have been obtained, and the Company shall have complied in all material respects with all Laws applicable to the Company with respect to the Transactions.

 

6.4        Consents . The Company shall have obtained and made available to the Buyer copies of stockholder and board consents obtained in connection with the Merger.

 

6.5        Corporate Documents . The Buyer shall have received a certificate of the Secretary of the Company certifying the incumbency of officers and genuineness of signatures of all officers executing any Transaction Documents for it, copies of its bylaws, and copies of its director and stockholder resolutions authorizing the Transactions; and

 

  27  

 

 

(b)        Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company certified as of a recent date prior to the Closing by the Secretary of State of the state in which it is incorporated; and

 

(c)        Certificates of Corporate Good Standing and Legal Existence of the Company as of a recent date prior to the Closing from the Secretary of State of the state in which it is incorporated.

 

6.6        Company Financial Statements . The Buyer shall have received the Company Financial Statements presented in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (i.e. U.S. GAAP), consistently applied, reviewed by an outside certified public accountant (the “Reviewed Financials”).

 

6.7        Non-Voting Stock . The Company shall have executed and returned to the Buyer the Redemption Agreement and Stock Right to the Buyer and, conditioned upon the execution and delivery of such documents by the Buyer or Buyer affiliates, taken such action as may be required to record on its record books the redemption of all 6,482,515 shares of the Company’s Class B Non-Voting Common Stock from the Rights Holder in consideration for the Stock Right pursuant to which the Rights Holder shall have the right to acquire 6,482,515 shares of Class A Voting Common Stock from the Company solely upon the Closing (or 6,482,515 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock from the Company if the Agreement is terminated without Closing) per the terms of such Stock Right.

 

7. Conditions Precedent to the Obligations of the Company .

 

All obligations of the Company to be performed on the Closing Date shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company) of each of the following conditions:

 

7.1        Representations True at the Date of this Agreement and at Closing . The representations and warranties of the Buyer and the Acquisition Company set forth in Sections 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3 in this Agreement shall be true and correct, in all material respects, at and as of the Closing Date.

 

7.2        Regulatory Compliance and Approvals . All approvals required under any Laws by the Buyer and the Acquisition Company to carry out the Merger shall have been obtained, and the Buyer and the Acquisition Company shall have complied in all material respects with all Laws applicable to them with respect to the Transactions.

 

7.3         Corporate Documents . The Company shall have received:

 

(a)        Certificates of the Secretary of the Buyer and the Acquisition Company, respectively, certifying the incumbency of officers and genuineness of signatures of all officers executing any Transaction Documents for them, copies of their bylaws, and copies of their director and stockholder resolutions authorizing the Transactions; and

 

  28  

 

 

(b)        Certificates of Incorporation, as amended, of the Buyer and the Acquisition Company certified as of a recent date prior to the Closing by the Secretaries of State of the respective states in which the Buyer and the Acquisition Company are incorporated; and

 

(c)        Certificates of Corporate Good Standing and Legal Existence of the Buyer and the Acquisition Company as of a recent date prior to the Closing from the Secretaries of State of the respective states in which they are incorporated.

 

8. Termination .

 

8.1        Termination . This Agreement may be terminated and the Merger may be abandoned, at any time prior to the Effective Time, notwithstanding approval thereof by the stockholders of the Company and Acquisition Company:

 

(a)        by mutual written consent of the Company and the Buyer duly authorized by each of their respective boards of directors;

 

(b)        by either the Buyer (subject to Section 8.1(e)), or by the Company (subject to Section 8.1(d)) if the Merger has not been consummated by the close of business on earlier of (i) the thirtieth (30 th ) day after the delivery by the Company of the Reviewed Financials, or (ii) one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of this Agreement, (provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) will not be available to any party whose material breach of this Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the Merger to occur on or before such date, as evidenced by the prompt written notice by the non-breaching party to the breaching party of the alleged breach and, if such failure is curable, a failure by the breaching party to remedy with five (5) days thereafter);

 

(c)        by either the Buyer or the Company if a court of competent jurisdiction or governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission will have issued a non-appealable final order or ruling or taken any other action, in each case having the effect of permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby;

 

(d)        by the Buyer upon the failure by the Company to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 6; provided if such failure is curable by the Company, then this Agreement will not terminate pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy unless the breach or inaccuracy remains uncured as of the fifth (5th) day following the date of written notice given by the Buyer to the Company of such failure and its intention to terminate the agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(d);

 

(e)        by the Company upon the failure by the Company to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 6; provided if such failure is curable by Parent or Merger Sub, then this Agreement will not terminate pursuant to this Section 7.1(e) as a result of such particular breach or inaccuracy unless the breach or inaccuracy remains uncured as of the fifth (5th) day following the date of written notice given by the Company to the Buyer of such failure and its intention to terminate the agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e).

 

  29  

 

 

8.2         Effect of Termination . In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 , this Agreement will forthwith become void, except that this Section 8.2 and Section 12 shall survive such termination; provided that nothing herein shall relieve the Buyer, the Acquisition Company or the Company of any liability for any willful breach of this Agreement prior to the effective date of termination. If this Agreement is terminated prior to Closing due to the Buyer’s failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 7, or for any other reason except as provided in the next sentence, the Company’s sole remedy shall be to receive and retain the Downpayment as liquidated damages. If this Agreement is terminated prior to Closing due to the Company’s failure to satisfy any of the conditions set forth in Section 6, or for any other reason except as provided in the preceding sentence, the Buyer shall be entitled to receive and retain the Downpayment.

 

9. Indemnification .

 

9.1         Indemnification by the Company and the Holders . Subject to the limits set forth in this Section 9, the Company and each Holder agrees to indemnify, defend and hold the Buyer and the Acquisition Company, their officers, directors, agents and affiliates (each a “Buyer Indemnified Party”), harmless from and against any and all Losses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees) that either may suffer, sustain, incur or become subject to arising out of or due to (a) any inaccuracy of any representation or the breach of any warranty of the Company contained in this Agreement, (b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and (c) the enforcement or settlement of a Buyer Indemnified Party’s rights under this Section 9 . Subject to the limits set forth in this Section 9, each Holder shall be severally liable solely up to such Holder’s pro rata portion of the total claim amount relating to any single claim.

 

9.2         Indemnification by the Buyer . Subject to the limits set forth in this Section 9.2, the Buyer agrees to indemnify, defend and hold each Holder harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, damage or deficiency (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys’ fees) that such Holder may suffer, sustain, incur or become subject to arising out of or due to (a) any inaccuracy of any representation or the breach of any warranty of the Buyer or the Acquisition Company contained in this Agreement, (b) any breach or non-fulfillment of any covenant, agreement or obligation to be performed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and (c) the enforcement or settlement of a Buyer Indemnified Party’s rights under this Section 7. Any indemnity for which the Buyer may be liable hereunder shall be funded in cash.

 

  30  

 

 

9.3         Survival of Representations and Warranties; Limitations . Unless otherwise indicated with specificity therein, the several warranties and representations of the parties contained in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant hereto will survive the Closing Date and will remain in full force and effect thereafter for a period of twelve months subsequent to the Closing Date; provided, that the representations and warranties in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 3.8 , Section 3.15 , Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 shall survive for the full period of all applicable statutes of limitations (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation, tolling or extension thereof). All covenants and agreements of the parties contained herein shall survive the Closing the earlier of indefinitely or for the period explicitly specified therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims asserted in good faith with reasonable specificity (to the extent known at such time) and in writing by notice from the indemnified party to the indemnifying party(ies) prior to the expiration date of the applicable survival period shall not thereafter be barred by the expiration of the relevant representation or warranty and such claims shall survive until finally resolved. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, neither the Holders, nor the Buyer Indemnified Parties (the Buyer Indemnified Parties being considered as one party for purposes of this Section 9), shall be entitled to recover from the other pursuant to this Section with respect to indemnification under Section 9.1(a) or Section 9.2(a) , as applicable, unless and until the total of all claims from the other for indemnity pursuant to this Section exceeds $20,000 and then only in the amount by which such claims for indemnity exceed $20,000. Further, anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, but subject to the exceptions below, neither the Holders, nor the Buyer and the Acquisition Company (the Buyer and the Acquisition Company being considered as one party for purposes of this Section 9), shall be entitled to recover from the other pursuant to this Section an aggregate amount in excess of $240,000 (the “General Cap”), except that the Buyer and the Acquisition Company (the Buyer and the Acquisition Company being considered as one party for purposes of this Section 9) shall be entitled to recover from the Holders pursuant to this Section an additional aggregate amount of up to $240,000 above the General Cap with respect to Losses based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty in Section 3.10 or Section 3.21 (such additional amount plus the General Cap, the “Special Cap”), and except further tha t the Holders, the Buyer and the Acquisition Company (the Buyer and the Acquisition Company being considered as one party for purposes of this Section 9) shall be entitled to recover from the other an aggregate amount up to the Purchase Price with respect to Losses based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 3.11 , Section 3.13(a) , Section 3.15 , Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 , however the indemnification amount for breaches of these Sections shall be limited to the actual proceeds received by a Holder, with the Indemnification Escrow Amount being the indemnification source of first resort. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the basket limitations set forth in this Section 9.3 shall not apply to Losses based upon, arising out of, with respect to or by reason of any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 4.1 and Section 4.2 . For purposes of this Section 9 , any inaccuracy in or breach of any representation or warranty shall be determined without regard to any materiality, Material Adverse Effect or other similar qualification contained in or otherwise applicable to such representation or warranty.

 

  31  

 

 

9.4         Notice and Opportunity to Defend . If there occurs an event which either party asserts is an indemnifiable event pursuant to Sections 9.1 or 9.2 , the party seeking indemnification shall notify the other party obligated to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly. If such event involves (i) any claim or (ii) the commencement of any action or proceeding by a third person, the party seeking indemnification will give such Indemnifying Party prompt written notice of such claim or the commencement of such action or proceeding. Such notice shall be a condition precedent to any liability of the Indemnifying Party hereunder; provided that the failure to provide prompt notice as provided herein will relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder only to the extent that such failure prejudices the Indemnifying Party hereunder. In case any such action shall be brought against any party seeking indemnification and it shall notify the Indemnifying Party of the commencement thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such party seeking indemnification and, after notice from the Indemnifying Party to such party seeking indemnification of such election so to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the party seeking indemnification hereunder for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided , that if in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Indemnified Party, (A) there are legal defenses available to an indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party; or (B) there exists a conflict of interest between the Indemnifying Party and the indemnified party that cannot be waived, the Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to the indemnified party in each jurisdiction for which the indemnified party determines counsel is required. The party seeking indemnification agrees to cooperate fully with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in the defense against any such asserted liability. In any event, the party seeking indemnification shall have the right to participate at its own expense in the defense of such asserted liability. Any compromise of such asserted liability by the Indemnifying Party shall require the prior written consent of the party seeking indemnification. If, however, the party seeking indemnification refuses its consent to a bona fide offer of settlement which the Indemnifying Party wishes to accept (which must include the unconditional release of the parties seeking indemnification from all liability with respect to the claim at issue), the party seeking indemnification may continue to pursue such matter, free of any participation by the Indemnifying Party, at the sole expense of the party seeking indemnification. In such event, the obligation of the Indemnifying Party to the party seeking indemnification shall be equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of the offer or settlement which the party seeking indemnification refused to accept plus the costs and expenses of such party prior to the date the Indemnifying Party notifies the party seeking indemnification of the offer of settlement and (ii) the actual out-of-pocket amount the party seeking indemnification is obligated to pay as a result of such party’s continuing to pursue such matter. The Parties hereto shall take all commercially reasonable steps to mitigate all damages sustained or incurred upon and after becoming aware of any event which could reasonably be expected to give rise to damages. To the extent any damages of an Indemnified Party are reduced by receipt of payment from third parties not affiliated with the Indemnified Party, such payments (net of the costs or expenses incurred in connection with or as a result of the recovery thereof) (“Proceeds”) shall be credited against any such losses, and, if indemnification payments shall have been received by the Indemnified Party prior to the collection of Proceeds, the indemnified party shall remit to the Indemnifying Party the amount of such Proceeds to the extent of indemnification payments received in respect of such damages.

 

  32  

 

 

9.5         Holder Representative .

 

(a)         The Holder Representative . The Company hereby designates and appoints Grant Deken (the “Holder Representative”) as representative for the Holders to perform all such acts as are required, authorized or contemplated by this Section 9 to be performed by any such person and hereby acknowledges that the Holder Representative shall be the only person authorized to take any action so required, authorized or contemplated by this Section 9 by such person. Each such person further acknowledges that the foregoing appointment and designation shall be deemed to be coupled with an interest and shall survive the death or incapacity of such person. Such person hereby authorizes the other parties hereto to disregard any notice or other action taken by such person pursuant to this Section 9 except for the Holder Representative. The other parties hereto are and will be entitled to rely on any action so taken or any notice given by the Holder Representative and are and will be entitled and authorized to give notices only to the Holder Representative for any notice contemplated by this Section 9 to be given to any such person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Holder Representative agrees that, before taking any action that would adversely affect any Holder, the Holder Representative shall give notice to and obtain consent from any such Holder. In the event the Holder Representative ceases to own Shares or dies, a successor to the Holder Representative may be chosen by a majority in interest of the Shares held by the Holders, provided that notice thereof is given by the new Holder Representative to the Buyer.

 

(b)         Limitation of Liability . The Holder Representative shall not have any liability arising out of or in connection with the exercise of his powers or the discharge of his duties hereunder while acting as Holder Representative under this Agreement, except that such Holder Representative shall be subject to liability for his gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Holder Representative shall not in any event be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by him in good faith or in accordance with and in reliance upon the opinion of counsel or independent auditors or upon information obtained by either of them from any governmental authority or other specialist.

 

9.6         Payments; Indemnification Escrow Fund .

 

(a)        Once a Loss is agreed to by the Indemnifying Party or finally adjudicated to be payable pursuant to this Section 9, the Indemnifying Party shall satisfy its obligations within thirty (30) days of such agreement or final, non-appealable adjudication by wire transfer of immediately available funds. The parties hereto agree that should an Indemnifying Party not make full payment of any such obligations within such thirty (30) day period, any amount payable shall accrue interest from and including the date of agreement of the Indemnifying Party or final, non-appealable adjudication to but excluding the date such payment has been made at a rate per annum equal to the then current annual interest rate in the financial institution where the Indemnification Escrow Agent deposits the Indemnification Escrow Fund. Such interest shall be calculated daily on the basis of a 365 day year and the actual number of days elapsed, without compounding.

 

(b)        Any Losses payable to a Buyer indemnified party pursuant to Section 9 shall be satisfied: (i) first, from the Indemnification Escrow Fund; and (ii) to the extent the Losses arise under in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 3.11 , Section 3.13(a) , or Section 3.15 and the amount of Losses exceeds the amounts available to the Buyer indemnified party in the Indemnification Escrow Fund, from the Holders, severally and not jointly, up to each Holder’s pro rata portion of the total claim amount, up to a maximum amount per Holder equal to the amount set forth next to such Holder’s name on Schedule 2.8 hereto.

 

  33  

 

 

(c)        Upon the termination of the Indemnification Escrow Fund pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement, the Indemnification Escrow Agent shall pay any amounts remaining in the Indemnification Escrow Fund to the Holders as set forth in the Escrow Agreement in proportion to their Ownership Percentages, as set forth in the Escrow Agreement.

 

(d)        Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 9.6 , upon the final determination of the Post-Closing Adjustment (if any) and the Closing Cash Statement, the Indemnification Escrow Agent shall pay Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) less the amount of any Post-Closing Adjustment out of the Indemnification Escrow Fund the Holders as set forth in the Escrow Agreement in proportion to their Ownership Percentages, and the Indemnification Escrow Fund shall thus be reduced by such amount. For the avoidance of doubt, any or all of the Indemnification Escrow Fund is available to fund the Post-Closing Adjustment.

 

9.7         Sole and Exclusive Remedy . Except for loss, damage or expense based upon common law fraud, intentional misrepresentation, criminal activity or willful misconduct, or as set forth in Section 9.9 , (a) the liability limits set forth in Section 9.3 shall be the maximum liability of the Holders and the sole and exclusive remedy of the Buyer subsequent to the Closing for any loss, damage or expense sustained by the Buyer as a result of any breach of this Agreement, and (b) each Holder’s pro rata portion of the Purchase Price shall be the maximum liability of such Holder and the sole and exclusive remedy of the Buyer subsequent to the Closing for any loss, damage or expense sustained by the Buyer for Losses arising under Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 3.11 , or Section 3.15 . The indemnification provided under this Section 9 shall constitute the sole and exclusive remedy of the Holders and the Buyer subsequent to the Closing for any loss, damage or expense sustained by the Holders or the Buyer as a result of any breach of this Agreement other than any loss, damage or expense based upon common law fraud, intentional misrepresentation, criminal activity or willful misconduct, or claims under Section 12.12 .

 

9.8         Effect of Investigation . The representations, warranties and covenants of the Indemnifying Party, and the indemnified party’s right to indemnification with respect thereto, shall not be affected or deemed waived by reason of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party (including by any of its representatives) or by reason of the fact that the indemnified party or any of its representatives knew or should have known that any such representation or warranty is, was or might be inaccurate or by reason of the indemnified party’s waiver of any condition set forth in Section 6 or Section 7 , as the case may be.

 

  34  

 

 

9.9         Liability for Breach of Section 3.5(a) .

 

(a)        If, based on the Reviewed Financials, the representations in Section 3.5(a) regarding the Company’s Financial Statements are untrue or incorrect in any material respect (the “Material Financial Statement Variance”), an amount equal to the damages, if any, determined per the terms of this Section 9.9 to have been suffered by the Buyer or the Acquisition Company (the Buyer and the Acquisition Company being considered as one party for purposes of this Section 9.9 ) as a direct result of the Material Financial Statement Variance (the “Material Financial Statement Variance Damages”) shall be deducted from the from the Purchase Price as the Buyer’s and the Acquisition Company’s sole remedy for such Material Financial Statement Variance. For the purposes of this Section 9.9 only, “untrue or incorrect in any material respect” shall mean any discrepancy, error, omission, inaccuracies, or misstatement of in the Financial Statements, that, when taken together with other corresponding or related adjustments, results in a downward correction or adjustment of the Company’s overall financial performance in the Reviewed Financials in excess of $20,000. To be clear, adjustments impacting solely the timing of revenue, expenses, etc. shall not be deemed a Material Financial Statement Variance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages shall not exceed Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($240,000). For the avoidance of doubt, the Financial Statement Breach Damages that are deducted from the Purchase Price prior to the Closing shall not be included in the General Cap.

 

(b)         Review and Procedure .

 

(i) Review. After receipt of the Reviewed Financials, the Buyer shall have ten (10) days (the “Financials Review Period”) to review the Review Financials. During the Financials Review Period, the Buyer and its accountants shall have full access to the books and records of the Company for the purpose of reviewing the Reviewed Financials and to determine if a Material Financial Statement Variance has occurred and if so, what the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages are, provided, that such access shall be in a manner that does not interfere with the normal business operations of the Company.

 

(ii) Damages Assessment. On or prior to the last day of the Financial Review Period, the Buyer may deliver to the Holder Representative a written statement setting forth a description of the Material Financial Statement Variance in reasonable detail, and indicating the Buyer’s determination of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages (the “Statement of Damages”). If the Buyer fails to deliver the Statement of Damages before the expiration of the Review Period, this Section 9.9 shall cease to apply and the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages shall be deemed to be $0, the parties shall complete the Closing without any adjustment to the Purchase Price and the Buyer’s or the Acquisition Company’s (the Buyer and the Acquisition Company being considered as one party) remedies for any breach of Section 3.5(a), if any, shall as set forth in the other provisions of Section 9 .

 

(iii) Objection . If the Buyer delivers the Statement of Damages before the expiration of the Review Period, the Holder Representative may object to the Statement of Damages by delivering to Buyer a written statement setting forth its objections in reasonable detail (the “Objection to Damages”) within ten (10) days following date that the Statement of Damages was delivered (the “Objection Period”). If the Holder Representative fails to deliver the Objection to Damages before the expiration of the Objection Period, the Statement of Damages shall be deemed to have been accepted by the Holder Representative and the parties shall make the adjustments per Section 9.9(c) and proceed to Closing.

 

  35  

 

 

(iv)            Negotiation . If the Holder Representative delivers the Objection to Damages before the expiration of the Objection Period, the Buyer and the Holder Representative shall negotiate in good faith to resolve such objections within ten (10) days after the delivery of the Objection to Damages (the “ Statement of Damages Resolution Period”), and, if the same are so resolved within the Statement of Damages Resolution Period, the Statement of Damages with such changes as may have been previously agreed in writing by Buyer and the Holder Representative, shall be final and binding and the parties shall make the adjustments per Section 9.9(c) and proceed to Closing.

 

(v)            Resolution of Disputes. If the Holder Representative and Buyer fail to reach an agreement with respect to all of the matters set forth in the Statement of Damages before expiration of the Statement of Damages Resolution Period, then any dispute regarding a Material Financial Statement Variance or the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages (“Disputed Positions”) shall be submitted for resolution to the office of an impartial nationally recognized Independent Accountant appointed by mutual agreement of Buyer and the Holder Representative, who, acting as experts and not arbitrators, shall resolve the Disputed Positions only and, if they determine that there was a Material Financial Statement Variance (if that is in dispute), make a determination of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages. The Independent Accountant shall only decide the specific items under dispute by the parties and their decision for the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages must be within the range of values assigned to each such item in the Statement of Damages and the Objections to Damages, respectively.

 

(vi)            Fees of the Independent Accountant. The fees and expenses of the Independent Accountant shall be paid by the Holder Representative (on behalf of the Stockholders), on the one hand, and by Buyer, on the other hand, based upon the percentage that the amount actually contested but not awarded to the Holder Representative or Buyer, respectively, bears to the aggregate amount actually contested by the Holder Representative and Buyer.

 

(vii)           Determination by Independent Accountant. The Independent Accountant shall make a determination as soon as practicable within thirty (30) days (or such other time as the parties hereto shall agree in writing) after their engagement, and their resolution of the Disputed Positions and their adjustments to the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto.

 

(c)            Payment of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages . If the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages are finally determined as aforesaid prior to the Closing, the amount of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages shall be deducted from the Purchase Price and retained by the Buyer as set forth in Section 9.9(a) . If the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages are not finally determined as aforesaid prior to the Closing, the Buyer shall deliver to the Indemnification Escrow Agent the amount of the Purchase Price equal to the Financial Statement Breach Damages set forth in the Statement of Damages and the Indemnification Escrow Agent shall hold such amount in escrow as part of the Indemnification Escrow Fund in accordance with the Indemnification Escrow Agreement. In such case, the Holder Representative and Buyer shall, within five (5) days after the final determination of the resolution of the Disputed Positions, jointly instruct the Indemnification Escrow Agent to disburse from the Indemnification Escrow Fund by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the amount of the Financial Statement Breach Damages finally determined to Buyer, and the remainder of the amount of the escrowed Financial Statement Breach Damages as directed by the Holder Representative.

 

  36  

 

 

(d)            Adjustments for Tax Purposes . Any payments made pursuant to this Section 9.9 shall be treated as an adjustment to the Purchase Price by the parties for Tax purposes, unless otherwise required by Law.

 

10.          Tax Matters .

 

10.1         Tax Periods Ending on or before the Closing Date . The Company shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns for the Company for all periods ending on or prior to the Closing Date which are filed after the Closing Date. The Company shall permit Buyer to review and consent to each such Tax Return described in the preceding sentence at least thirty (30) days prior to filing.

 

10.2         Cooperation on Tax Matters .

 

(a)           Buyer, the Company and the Holders shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party, in connection with the filing of Tax Returns pursuant to this Section 10.2 and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include the retention and (upon the other party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit, litigation or other proceeding and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The Company and the Holders agree (A) to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Company relating to any Tax period beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (and, to the extent notified by Buyer or the Holders, any extensions thereof) of the respective Tax periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Taxing authority, and (B) to give the other party reasonable written notice prior to transferring, destroying or discarding any such books and records and, if the other party so requests, the Company or the Holders, as the case may be, shall allow the other party to take possession of such books and records.

 

(b)           Buyer and the Holders further agree, upon request, to use their best efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any governmental authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed (including, but not limited to, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby).

 

10.3          Certain Taxes . All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with this Agreement (including any corporate-level gains Tax triggered by the sale of the Company stock and any transfer or similar Tax imposed in other states or subdivisions) shall be paid by the Holders when due, and the Holders shall, at their own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other Taxes and fees, and, if required by applicable law, Buyer will, and will cause its affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation.

 

  37  

 

 

11.          Downpayment Escrow Provisions .

 

11.1         The parties hereto do hereby appoint the Downpayment Escrow Agent as escrow agent to act in accordance with and subject to the terms of this Section 11 of this Agreement and the Downpayment Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to act in accordance with and subject to the terms hereof.

 

11.2         Within four (4) days following the date of this Agreement, Buyer shall deliver into escrow with the Downpayment Escrow Agent the Downpayment referred to in Section 2.8(a) hereof pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

11.3         At Closing, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall deliver the Downpayment as directed in accordance with Section 2.8, via wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

11.4         In the event the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(e) and it does not close pursuant to its terms, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall deliver the Downpayment to the Company, subject to Section 11.6, following notice duly given by the Company pursuant to Section 11.6.

 

11.5         In the event the Agreement is terminated pursuant to Sections 8.1 (a), (b), (c) or (d) and it does not close pursuant to its terms, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall return the Downpayment to Buyer subject to Section 11.6 following notice duly given by Buyer pursuant to Section 11.6.

 

11.6         Following the giving of notice by the Company pursuant to Section 11.4 or Buyer pursuant to Section 11.5, as the case may be, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall thereupon notify the non-notice giving party in writing of its intent to deliver to the notice-giving party the Downpayment ten (10) days from the date of its notice. In the event the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall have not received written notice from the non-notice giving party by the end of such ten (10) day period that the Downpayment should not be distributed to the notice-giving party, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall promptly deliver to the notice-giving party the Downpayment. If the non-notice giving party timely notifies the Downpayment Escrow Agent not to distribute the Downpayment to the notice-giving party, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall not thereafter deliver any of the Downpayment to the notice-giving party and may exercise any of its rights under Section 11.8.4 hereof. The notice-giving party shall send a copy of its notice to the non-notice giving party concurrently with its delivery to the Downpayment Escrow Agent.

 

11.7         The Downpayment Escrow Provisions pursuant to this Section 11 shall terminate once the Downpayment has been delivered to the Company, the Representative Holder, or the Buyer as the case may be. Upon delivery of the Downpayment as provided for herein, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall be relieved of any and all further obligations and liabilities hereunder, other than liabilities resulting from the negligence or willful misconduct of the Downpayment Escrow Agent.

 

  38  

 

 

11.8         Except in the case of the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Downpayment Escrow agent, the following provisions shall apply:

 

11.8.1           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it or to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, and may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Downpayment Escrow Agent), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which is believed by the Downpayment Escrow Agent to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement unless evidenced by a writing delivered to the Downpayment Escrow Agent signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Downpayment Escrow Agent are affected, unless it shall have given its prior written consent thereto.

 

11.8.2           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall not be responsible for the sufficiency, accuracy, form, execution, validity, value or genuineness of any document or property received, held or delivered by it hereunder, or of any signature or endorsement thereon, or for any lack of endorsement thereon, or for any description therein, nor shall the Downpayment Escrow Agent be responsible or liable in any respect on account of the identity, authority or rights of the persons executing or delivering or purporting to execute or deliver any document or property pursuant to the provisions hereof. Pending the disbursement of any monies held by the Downpayment Escrow Agent hereunder, the Downpayment Escrow Agent is expressly authorized, empowered and directed to deposit such funds in a segregated non-interest-bearing escrow account with the banking institution with which the Downpayment Escrow Agent normally maintains such accounts (provided that such bank is FDIC insured). In no event shall the Downpayment Escrow Agent be liable to any party hereto with regard to the financial stability of any banking institution with which it deposits such funds. Any deliveries of funds held in escrow shall be accompanied by a delivery of all accrued interest thereon. The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall not be liable for any loss which may be incurred by reason of any investment of any monies or properties which it holds hereunder.

 

11.8.3           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall have the right to assume, in the absence of written notice to the contrary from the proper person or persons, that a fact or an event by reason of which an action would or might be taken by the Downpayment Escrow Agent does not exist or has not occurred, without incurring liability for any action taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise of its own best judgment, in reliance upon such assumption.

 

  39  

 

 

11.8.4           Following the receipt by the Downpayment Escrow Agent of notice of any demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, including, without limitation, notice from the non-notice giving party pursuant to Section 11.6 hereof, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall, if such notice shall relate to the other parties hereto, notify such parties thereof in writing; but the failure by the Downpayment Escrow Agent to give such notice shall not relieve any party from any liability which such party may have to the Downpayment Escrow Agent hereunder. In the event of the receipt of such notice, the Downpayment Escrow Agent, in its sole discretion, may (a) commence an action in the nature of interpleader in an appropriate court to determine ownership or disposition of the Downpayment (b) deposit the Downpayment with the clerk of any appropriate court; or (c) retain the Downpayment pending receipt of (X) written instructions from both Buyer and the Company, or its permitted assignees, as to the disposition thereof or (Y) a final, non-appealable order of a court having jurisdiction over all of the parties hereto directing to whom and under what circumstances the Downpayment are to be delivered.

 

11.8.5           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall be entitled to reimbursement from Buyer and the Company, jointly and severally for all expenses paid or incurred by it in the administration of its duties hereunder, and the Buyer and the Company shall be equally responsible therefor.

 

11.8.6           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall be indemnified and held harmless, jointly and severally, by Buyer and the Company from and against any and all liabilities, losses, costs and expenses, including, without limitation, (a) reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements and (b) usual and customary expenses involved in discovery proceedings and testimony, in connection with any claim, action, suit or other proceeding which in any way, directly or indirectly, arises out of or relates to this Section 11, the services of the Downpayment Escrow Agent hereunder, or the Downpayment. In addition, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall be entitled to receive from Buyer and the Company, jointly and severally fees (in amounts calculated at the Downpayment Escrow Agent’s customary rates) for time devoted to matters arising out of or related to its services hereunder, including, without limitation, in connection with any such claim, action, suit or other proceeding.

 

11.8.7           From time to time on and after the date hereof, the parties other than the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall deliver or cause to be delivered to the Downpayment Escrow Agent such further documents and instruments and shall do or cause to be done such further acts as the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall reasonably request (it being understood that the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall have no obligation to make any such request) to carry out more effectively the provisions and purposes of this Section 11, to evidence compliance herewith or to assure itself that it is protected in acting hereunder.

 

11.8.8           The Downpayment Escrow Agent may resign at any time and be discharged from its duties as the escrow agent hereunder by its giving the other parties hereto at least thirty (30) days prior written notice thereof in accordance with the terms hereof. As soon as practicable after its resignation, the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall turn over to a successor escrow agent appointed by the other parties hereto, jointly, the Downpayment held hereunder upon presentation of the document appointing the new escrow agent and its acceptance thereof. If no new agent is so appointed within the sixty (60) day period following the giving of such notice of resignation, the Downpayment Escrow Agent may deposit the Downpayment with the New York County Supreme Court.

 

  40  

 

 

11.8.9           The Downpayment Escrow Agent shall resign and be discharged from its duties as the escrow agent hereunder if so requested in writing at any time by the other parties hereto, jointly; provided, however, that such resignation shall become effective only upon acceptance of appointment by a successor escrow agent as provided in Section 11.8.8 hereof.

 

11.8.10         Following resignation and/or discharge of the Downpayment Escrow Agent, the provisions of this Section 11 shall nonetheless continue to be applicable with respect to the Downpayment Escrow Agent.

 

11.8.11         Notwithstanding any obligation to make deliveries to Buyer, the Company or the Holder Representative hereunder, the Downpayment Escrow Agent may retain and hold for such time as it deems necessary such property payable to Buyer, the Company or the Holder Representative, as the case may be, as it shall from time to time in its reasonable sole discretion deem sufficient to indemnify itself for any expense or loss or for any amounts due it. The Downpayment Escrow Agent may not retain or hold any property payable to the Company or the Holder Representative to indemnify itself for any expense or loss. For the purposes hereof, the term “expense or loss” shall include all amounts paid, payable or incurred by the Downpayment Escrow Agent to satisfy any claim, demand or liability, or in investigating, defending, or settling any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding made or brought against it (any such settlement to be with the express written consent of the Downpayment Escrow Agent) including, but not limited to, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements.

 

11.8.12         Any notice, delivery or other communication required or permitted hereunder to the Downpayment Escrow Agent shall be deemed to have been duly made or given for all purposes when in writing and delivered pursuant to Section 13.8 hereof addressed to the Downpayment Escrow Agent as set forth in Section 12.7 hereof or at such other address as shall be furnished in writing by the Downpayment Escrow Agent in the manner provided in Section 12.7, and any notice or communication given pursuant to the provisions hereof shall be deemed to have been given as of the date delivered.

 

11.8.13         The parties agree to take all further actions and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as may be necessary to give full effect to this Section 11.

 

12.          General .

 

12.1          Governing Law . This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the internal, substantive laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware in connection with any proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, waives any objection to venue in the Delaware, and agrees that service of any summons, complaint, notice or other process relating to such proceeding may be effected in the manner provided by Section 9.7 .

 

  41  

 

 

12.2          Further Assurances . The parties hereto agree to execute and deliver any and all papers and documents necessary to complete the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

12.3          Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided, however, that this Agreement and all rights hereunder may not be assigned by any party hereto without the written consent of the other parties.

 

12.4          Waiver of Conditions . Any party hereto may waive any condition provided in this Agreement for its benefit.

 

12.5          Exhibits and Schedules . All of the Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

 

12.6          Entire Agreement . This Agreement contains the entire agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no agreements, representations or warranties with respect to the subject matter hereof which are not set forth herein. All prior negotiations, agreements and understandings with respect to the subject matter hereof are superseded hereby. This Agreement may not be amended or revised except by a writing signed by all parties hereto.

 

12.7          Notices . All notices required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered in person or sent by confirmed facsimile or electronic mail, or when received if given by Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight courier service, or two (2) business days after being deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, registered or certified mail, addressed to the applicable party as follows:

 

To the Buyer:

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.

55 Broadway, 19 th Floor

New York, NY 10006

Attention: President

Email: bob.benya@sevenstarscloud.com

 

  42  

 

 

with a copy to:

 

Ruskin Moscou Faltischek P.C.

1425 RXR Plaza

Uniondale, NY 11556

Attention: Gavin C. Grusd, Esq.

Email: ggrusd@rmfpc.com

 

To the Company at:

 

Grapevine Logic, Inc.

10 Ware Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

Attention: Attn: Grant Deken

Email: grant@grapevinelogic.com

 

with a copy to:

 

Company Counsel, LLC

28 Stone Avenue

Winchester, MA 01890

Attention: Steven J. Cagnetta

Email: steve@companycounsel.biz

 

To Holder Representative at:

 

Grant Deken

10 Ware Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

Email: grant@grapevinelogic.com

 

To the Downpayment Escrow Agent at:

 

Company Counsel, LLC

28 Stone Avenue

Winchester, MA 01890

Email: steve@companycounsel.biz

 

and/or to such other respective addresses and/or addressees as may be designated by notice given in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.7 .

 

12.8          Counterparts; Signatures . This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be binding as of the date first written above. Each such copy shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Signatures hereon which are transmitted via facsimile or email or in electronic, .pdf or functional equivalent format shall be deemed original signatures.

 

  43  

 

 

12.9          Amendment . This Agreement may be amended by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto; provided, however, that this Agreement may only be amended without approval of the stockholders of the Company and the Acquisition Company to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

12.10          Publicity . Press releases, public disclosure or other public statement concerning this transaction shall be made only with the prior written agreement of the Company, the Holder Representative and the Buyer, except if such disclosure is required by applicable Law or stock exchange rules. Additionally, no such press releases, public disclosure or other public statement shall state the amount of the Purchase Price unless such disclosure is required by applicable Law or stock exchange rules.

 

12.11          Fees and Expenses . Whether or not the Transactions are consummated, each of the parties hereto shall bear his or its own expenses for legal, accounting, brokers’ or other professional fees or expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

12.12          Attorneys’ Fees . In the event that any action is brought to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement, or to obtain money damages for the breach thereof, and such action results in the award of a judgment for money damages or in the granting of any injunction in favor of one of the parties to this Agreement, all expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, shall be paid by the nonprevailing party.

 

[Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank]

 

  44  

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

Counterpart Signature Page

 

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

 

  Company:
   
  GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC.

 

  By: /s/ Grant Deken
    Name: Grant Deken
    Title: CEO

 

  Buyer:
   
  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP INC.

 

  By: /s/ Bruno Wu
    Name: Bruno Wu
    Title: Chairman/CEO

 

  Holder Representative:

 

  /s/ Grant Deken
  Grant Deken

 

  45  

 

 

DISCLOSURE SCHEDULES

 

See attached.

 

 

 

 

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC.

 

COMPANY DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE

 

This Disclosure Schedule is being delivered by the Company (as defined below) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 18, 2018 (the “ Purchase Agreement ”), by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ Buyer ”), GLI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Buyer, Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Company ”) and Grant Deken, solely in his capacity as the Holder Representative (the “ Holder Representative ”).

 

This Disclosure Schedule is an integral part of the Purchase Agreement, is incorporated therein by reference and is not intended to be an independent document. Any matter disclosed in one section or subsection of this Disclosure Schedule shall be deemed disclosed with respect to any other section or subsection of this Disclosure Schedule only to the extent that the Purchase Agreement requires such disclosure and it is reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure that such disclosure is applicable to such other section or subsection.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Purchase Agreement. All headings and subheadings included herein are inserted for ease of reference only and shall not in any way expand or create a different standard for disclosure than the language set forth in the Purchase Agreement or be used in the construction or interpretation of the information contained in this Disclosure Schedule.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 2.8

 

Company Stockholder Conversion Amounts

 

See attached, which shall be updated as of the Closing:

 

                                        Payments  
    Common     Nonvoting           Seed 1     Seed 2     Total Fully     Due (TBD  
Stockholder   Stock     Common     Options     Shares     Shares     Diluted     at Close)  
Grant Deken     805,000               1,912,152                       2,717,152          
Marco Buchbinder     216,000                                       216,000          
Jesse Wrenn     744,000                                       744,000          
Chris Beaman     1,080,000                                       1,080,000          
Tech Stars     992,856                                       992,856          
                                                         
Option Pool                                                        
Alex Riina                     318,374                       318,374          
TJ Mahony                     55,662                       55,662          
Kimberley Bond                     283,048                       283,048          
Edward Breed                     202,675                       202,675          
Jennifer Monaco                     12,667                       12,667          
ReadyCart Inc.                     30,000                       30,000          
Mateo Alampi                     7,881                       7,881          
                                                         
Investors                                                        
Angel List     470,320                       237,657               707,977          
Apex Merits Global Limited     79,392                               40,118       119,510          
Bantam Group     24,327                       12,292               36,619          
Boston Seed Capital     1,611,607                       573,654       240,704       2,425,965          
Christian Noske (Trans Atlantic Ventures)     46,405                                       46,405          
Commonwealth Fund III, LLC     285,810                               169,289       455,099          
David Williams     86,101                               20,059       106,160          
Derrick L. Horner     7,939                               4,012       11,951          
Diane Hessan     7,939                               4,012       11,951          
Gary Tiffany     298,007                       103,688               401,695          
Harold Simansky     46,405                                       46,405          
Jim Alvarez     40,545                       20,487               61,032          
Martin Issac     32,436                       16,390               48,826          
Massachusetts Technology Development Corp     190,541                               112,860       303,401          
Michael P. Murray     92,810                                       92,810          
Oyster Angel Fund     81,089                       40,975               122,064          
Scott M. Johnson     39,696                               20,059       59,755          

 

 

 

 

                                        Payments  
    Common     Nonvoting           Seed 1     Seed 2     Total Fully     Due (TBD  
Stockholder   Stock     Common     Options     Shares     Shares     Diluted     at Close)  
TJ Mahony     55,686                                       55,686          
Walter Winshall     238,176                               120,353       358,529          
Warren Katz     39,696                               20,059       59,755          
Timothy Lieto     46,868                                       46,868          
Michael Welts     46,868                                       46,868          
William Herman     63,514                               32,094       95,608          
                                                         
SSS Venture Entity             6,482,515                               6,482,515          
                                                         
Total     7,770,033       6,482,515       2,822,459       1,005,143       783,619       18,863,769          

 

Rights Holders  
Seven Stars Sun Right to acquire shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock (pursuant to a rights agreement to be entered into after the date of this Agreement)

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.2(a)

 

Capitalization

 

See Schedule 2.8.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.4(b)

 

None.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.5

 

Financial Information

 

None.

 

In 2017, the Company recognized breakage revenue in an amount of approximately $44,000 that had accrued in previous years in the form of legacy credits that were not redeemed or used. Since January 1, 2017, the Company has changed its revenue recognition model such that it generally only recognizes revenues upon completion of a project and receipt of payment.

 

In addition, the Company has recently identified an error in its financial accounting, pursuant to which there is potentially up to a 1% margin of error in recognized revenue stemming from a new discounted product line launched in January 2018 for self-serve client. The Company is taking necessary measures to implement more comprehensive financial controls and procedures such that going forward these discrepancies will not occur and the existing inaccuracies will be retroactively corrected.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.6

 

Materially Adverse Change

 

Strategic Bonus Letter between the Company and Grant Deken dated June 19, 2018.

 

In addition, the Company has recently identified an error in its financial accounting, pursuant to which there is potentially up to a 1% margin of error in recognized revenue stemming from a new discounted product line launched in January 2018 for self-serve client.

 

As part of the Merger and as a condition to Closing, the Buyer plans to enter in employment offer letter with certain key employees that may result in salary increases.

 

Otherwise, none.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.7(d)

 

Permits

 

Certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State of Delaware.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.8

 

Employee Benefits Plans

 

As of November 2016, all benefits are handled through Trinet. These include without limitation full health insurance up to $300 per employee per month for single individuals, as well as dental, vision, access to disability insurance and to life insurance policies. The Company currently maintains an unlimited vacation policy. The Company offers discretionary fringe benefits such as a commuter pass on an as-needed basis.

 

The Company maintained a 401(k) Plan (“Plan”) with Nationwide Insurance until November 2016, at which point the trustee of the Plan, former CEO Brendan Lattrell, left the Company and the Plan became dormant. The Company has not contributed to or done anything to maintain the Plan since that point.

 

2013 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Strategic Bonus Letter between the Company and Grant Deken dated June 19, 2018.

 

In connection with the termination of and redemption of 100% of the Company stock held by former CEO Brendan Lattrell on or around November 2016, the Company executed a Mutual Release and Non-Disparagement Agreement with Mr. Lattrell.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.9

 

Real Property

 

Alley Membership Agreement between the Company and Alley NYC, LLC for month-to-month “membership” to use certain office space located at 10 Ware Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, starting as of March 5, 2018, for a monthly fee of $3,900.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.10

 

Intellectual Property

 

(a)

 

Trademarks                
Name   Regi.Serial #   Reg. Date   Status   Reference URL
#GetSponsored   5234826   7/4/17   Live    http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=4801:16vrwp.8.1
GRAPEVINE   86525337   2/5/15   Dead    http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/gate.exe?f=doc&state=4801:16vrwp.10.2

 

Patents

 

None

 

Copyrights

Grapevine brand

All Marketing Materials

Original blog content on blog.grapevinelogic.com and grapevinelogic.com/resources

 

Domain Names

grapevinelogic.net

hellologic.co

readycart.com

grapevine.me

grapevinelogic.com

 

Trade Secrets and other Proprietary Rights

Proprietary influencer flywheel framework and all other proprietary rights in the Business.

SocMetrics Platform

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between the Company and SocMetrics, Inc. (“SocMetrics”), pursuant to which the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of SocMetrics in exchange for a payment of $35,000 (which has been made) and additional amounts to be determined during a revenue-share period, which amounts have not yet been finalized but which the Company expects to be roughly $25,000.

 

(b) None.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.11(a)

 

Liens

 

None.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.12

 

Material Contracts

 

Material Service Agreements with the following brands:

 

Services Agreement between the Company and MAESA LLC, dated as of December 1, 2016.

Services Agreement between the Company and White with Style, dated as of June 11, 2015.

Services Agreement between the Company and Sue and Daughters, dated as of December 8, 2016.

Services Agreement between the Company and Credit Sesame, dated as of July 28, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and Society6, dated as of September 1, 2015.

Services Agreement between the Company and Unboxed Inc. Foreo, dated as of November 21, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and Coke - The Coca-Cola Company, dated as of October 14, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and ZenLen, Inc. (Native), dated as of August 16, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and Scentbird, dated as of March 27, 2015.

Services Agreement between the Company and Deep Sentinel, Inc., dated as of April 23, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and Fleishman-Hillard Inc., dated as of May 29, 2018.

Services Agreement between the Company and Relish Labs LLC d/b/a HomeChef, dated as of February 12, 2018.

Services Agreement between the Company and Universal Beauty Products Inc., dated as of October 9, 2017.

Services Agreement between the Company and Organifi Shop, dated as of May 22, 2018.

Services Agreement between the Company and Pixability, Inc. dated June 29, 2018.

 

Agreements with the following Vendors :

 

Amazon Web Services (cloud hosting services)
eSquared Partners (controller services)
Company Counsel, LLC (legal services)

 

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2017, between the Company and SocMetrics, Inc. (“SocMetrics”), pursuant to which the Company purchased substantially all of the assets of SocMetrics in exchange for a payment of $35,000 (which has been made) and additional amounts to be determined during a revenue-share period, which amounts have not yet been finalized but which the Company expects to be roughly $25,000.

 

 

 

 

The Company pays Creators on a per-project basis and cannot predict with certainty how much it will pay per Creator until the applicable project is complete. See Schedule 2.18 for a list of Creators paid amounts greater than $10,000 in 2017.

 

Mutual Release and Non-Disparagement Agreement between the Company and Brendan Latrell dated as of November 2016.

 

Strategic Bonus Letter between the Company and Grant Deken dated June 19, 2018.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.13

 

Taxes

 

The Company was found by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (“DOR”) and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to be delinquent in payroll tax withholding for 2016 and parts of 2015. The Company entered into a Case Resolution with the IRS on March 10, 2017 and a Notice of Abatement Determination with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue on February 26, 2018, and has since satisfied all outstanding obligations with both the DOR and the IRS.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.14

 

Affiliated Party Transaction

 

Other than the Strategic Bonus Letter between the Company and Grant Deken dated June 19, 2018, there are none.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.15

 

No Brokers.

 

None.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.16

 

Insurance

 

Business & Management (D&O) Indemnity Policy, provided by National Casualty Company, valid through 3/22/19.

 

Commercial General Liability Coverage and Businessowners Property Coverage, provided by Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, valid through 6/17/19.

 

Workers Compensation Insurance is provided through Trinet.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.18

 

Relationships

 

(a) Suppliers

 

The Company paid the following creators the following amounts in 2017. Otherwise, none.

 

Shanna Perplies   $ 47,700.00  
Lizzy Ashley   $ 39,440.00  
Ashley Mitchell   $ 36,680.00  
Ashley Mitchell   $ 36,680.00  
Samantha        
Robinson   $ 30,645.00  
Travis Bryant   $ 30,154.00  
Nastazsa Barrett   $ 24,615.00  
Dani Meza   $ 22,689.40  
aspyn ovard   $ 21,600.00  
Raven Scott   $ 19,400.00  
Edward ZO   $ 18,912.00  
Jose Zuniga   $ 17,550.00  
Alena Maze   $ 16,301.00  
Macy Kate   $ 15,660.00  
Stephanie Stipes   $ 15,480.00  
Yasmin Maya   $ 15,000.30  
Jackie Perdue   $ 14,940.00  
Kelly Strack   $ 14,916.00  
Kassie Thatcher   $ 14,105.00  
Drew Scott   $ 13,455.00  
Kenzie Elizabeth   $ 13,185.00  
kyra sivertson   $ 13,050.00  
Ruby Franke   $ 13,001.00  
Leesha   $ 10,920.00  
Jordan Cheyenne   $ 10,737.00  

 

 

 

 

(b) Customers

 

The Company received the following amounts from the following Customers in 2017:

 

Name   2017 Payments Received  
MAESA LLC   $ 397,960.00  
White with Style   $ 179,312.20  
Sue and Daughters   $ 126,500.00  
Trello, Inc. (Atlassian Inc.)   $ 125,000.00  
Hong Kong Live.me Corporation Limited   $ 99,966.00  
Credit Sesame   $ 93,880.05  
Match.com, L.L.C.   $ 76,477.55  
Shoptagr   $ 62,378.40  
Society6   $ 60,000.00  
Unboxed Inc. Foreo   $ 50,000.00  
Coke - The Coca-Cola Company   $ 50,000.00  
Boohoo.com UK Limited   $ 50,000.00  
Care.com   $ 50,000.00  
Native   $ 37,763.00  
Force Factor, LLC Nutraclick, HFM Marketing   $ 25,000.00  
LinkedIn (Customer)   $ 25,000.00  
Lomeway E-Commerce (HongKong) Limited   $ 25,000.00  
Girl Starter, LLC   $ 24,970.00  
Juvalips   $ 22,726.00  
Patchology   $ 21,229.60  
Scentbird   $ 21,051.84  
American Telecast   $ 20,000.00  
Lovepop, Inc.   $ 20,000.00  
Zenlen, Inc.   $ 20,000.00  
LumaBella   $ 16,621.80  
La Roshe Posay   $ 15,000.00  
LumaRX   $ 13,269.85  
Kind LLC   $ 12,500.00  
MVF Global   $ 11,063.00  
Agency Within   $ 11,010.60  
Lexington International   $ 10,570.00  
Curology, Inc.   $ 10,000.00  
Dermablend   $ 10,000.00  
Mainline Menswear   $ 10,000.00  
SSI   $ 10,000.00  
PMD Age Science, Inc   $ 10,000.00  

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.20

 

Certain Employees and Consultants

 

Employees :

Casey Nulph, Account Manager
2017 salary: N/A
estimated 2018 salary: $50,000
Jed Breed, Senior Director, Strategy
2017 salary: $90,000
estimated 2018 salary: $100,000 (plus discretionary bonus and commissions)*
Jen Monaco, Associate Director, Accounts
2017 salary: $52,000
estimated 2018 salary: $60,000 (plus discretionary bonus and commissions)
Jibran Malek, Senior Marketing Manager
2017 salary: $55,000
estimated 2018 salary: $55,000
Laura Picard, Account Manager
2017 salary: $50,000
estimated 2018 salary: $50,000
Kimberly Bond, Director, Talent
2017 salary: $72,000
estimated 2018 salary: $78,000
Grant Deken, CEO
2017 salary: $120,000
estimated 2018 salary: $175,000
Daniel Shields, Account Executive (SaaS)
2017 salary: $50,000
estimated 2018 salary: $55,000 plus commission
Alex Riina, Director of Engineering
2017 salary: $105,000
estimated 2018 salary: $105,000

 

*Jed Breed’s last day of employment with the Company is July 3, 2018.

 

 

 

 

Schedule 3.21

 

Business Metrics

 

● Total aggregate number of registered users on the Company’s platform:

○ 2018-02-01 — 158,596

○ 2018-03-01 — 162,019

○ 2018-04-01 — 165,706

○ 2018-05-01 — 168,428

○ 2018-06-01 — 171,122

 

● Total estimated reachable audience as calculated based on connections of registered users drawing from data from the following sources:

○ Total Instagram Followers 686,798,344

○ Total Youtube Subscribers: 1,285,048,309

○ Total Facebook Page Likes 188,872,372

○ Total Twitter Followers 66,262,236

○ TOTAL 2,226,981,261

 

● Key Verticals for the Company:

○ Beauty, Fashion, Women’s Lifestyle

○ Gaming

○ Consumer Electronics

○ Cooking and Nutrition

○ Men’s Lifestyle, sports, and exercise

○ Secondary Verticals

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

CERTIFICATE OF MERGER

 

OF

 

GLI ACQUISITION CORP.

 

INTO

 

GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC.

 

Pursuant to Title 8, Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the undersigned corporation executed the following Certificate of Merger:

 

FIRST: The name and state of incorporation of each of the constituent corporations of the merger is as follows:

 

Name   State of Incorporation
     
GLI ACQUISITION CORP.   Delaware
     
GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC.   Delaware

 

SECOND: The Agreement of Merger has been approved, adopted, certified, executed and acknowledged by each of the constituent corporations in accordance with Section 251 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

THIRD: The name of the surviving corporation is GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC., a Delaware corporation.

 

FOURTH: The Certificate of Incorporation of the surviving corporation shall be its Certificate of Incorporation.

 

FIFTH: The merger is to become effective on the date of filing of this Certificate of Merger.

 

SIXTH: The Agreement and Plan of Merger is on file at 10 Ware Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, the place of business of the surviving corporation.

 

SEVENTH: A copy of the Agreement and Plan of Merger will be furnished by the surviving corporation on request and without cost, to any stockholder of the constituent corporations.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said surviving corporation has caused this certificate to be signed by an authorized officer on the ___ day of _____, 2018.

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 1

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT

 

ESCROW AGREEMENT (“ Agreement ”) dated _____ ___, 2018, by and among Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation with offices located at 55 Broadway, New York, New York 10006 (“ Buyer ”), GLI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 55 Broadway, New York, New York 10006 (“ GLI ”), Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware corporation with offices located at 10 Ware Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138 (“ Grapevine ”), Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., with offices at 1425 RXR Plaza, East Tower, 15 th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556, as escrow agent (the “ Escrow Agent ”) and Grant Deken acting as Holder Representative (“ Holder Representative ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Agreement and Plan of Merger (as defined below).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS , Buyer, GLI and the Grapevine have entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “ Merger Agreement ”) dated the date hereof, pursuant to which GLI shall be merged with and into Grapevine as fully set forth in the Merger Agreement, with Grapevine continuing as the surviving corporation and a subsidiary of the Buyer.

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Buyer has agreed to deposit the aggregate sum of Five Hundred Thirty Thousand ($530,000) Dollars with the Escrow Agent, which monies shall be released upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED,

 

1.            Appointment of and Acceptance by Escrow Agent . The parties hereby appoint Escrow Agent to serve as escrow agent hereunder . Escrow Agent hereby accepts such appointment and, upon receipt of the Escrowed Funds in accordance with Section 2 below, agrees to hold, invest and disburse the Escrowed Funds in accordance with this Escrow Agreement .

 

2.            The Escrowed Funds .

 

(a) Upon the Closing Date as set forth in the Merger Agreement, Buyer shall deposit the aggregate principal sum of Five Hundred Thirty Thousand ($530,000) Dollars (the “ Escrowed Funds ”), by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in an account designated by the Escrow Agent, which Escrowed Funds are a part of the Purchase Price.

 

(b) Upon the Closing Date as set forth in the Merger Agreement, Buyer may deposit the amount referred to in the Merger Agreement as the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in an account designated by the Escrow Agent, which funds are part of the Purchase Price.

 

 

 

 

(c) The Escrow Agent will receive the Escrowed Funds and, if applicable, the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages amount, and will issue appropriate written acknowledgments (which may be provided via electronic mail) of all deposits into the Escrow Fund.

 

3.            Terms of Escrow . The Escrow Agent agrees to hold the Escrowed Funds in an interest bearing trust account under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and to perform the acts and duties imposed upon it hereby.

 

4.            Disbursement of Escrowed Funds . The Escrow Agent shall release the Escrowed Funds only in accordance with the following:

 

(a) Distribution of Escrowed Funds Pursuant to Joint Written Instructions . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall disburse Escrowed Funds at any time and from time to time, upon receipt of, and in accordance with a written direction executed by Buyer and Holder Representative and directing Escrow Agent to disburse all or a portion of the Escrowed Funds or to take or refrain from taking any other action pursuant to this Escrow Agreement (a “ Joint Written Direction ”). Such Joint Written Direction shall contain complete payment instructions, including wiring instructions or an address to which a check shall be sent.

 

(b) Distribution of Cash Adjustment Amount Pursuant to Joint Written Instructions . Upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt of a Joint Written Direction signed by Buyer and Holder Representative that there has been a final determination of the Post-Closing Adjustment pursuant to Section 2.12(e) of the Merger Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall disburse up to a maximum amount of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) (the “ Cash Adjustment Amount ”). Such Joint Written Direction shall contain complete payment instructions, including wiring instructions or an address to which a check shall be sent.

 

(c) Distribution of Cash Adjustment Amount upon Passage of Time . Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent at any time following the date which is ninety (90) days after the Closing Date of the Merger Agreement of a written notice signed by Holder Representative, with a copy to the Buyer, requesting (i) release of all or a portion of the Cash Adjustment Amount pursuant to this Section 4(c); and (ii) stating that no unresolved claims are pending with respect to the Closing Adjustment pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Merger Agreement, then the Escrow Agent will, subject to the provisions of Section 4(g) below, as promptly as practicable, distribute to, or at the written direction of, the Holder Representative an amount equal to the remaining portion of the Cash Adjustment Amount.

 

(d) Distribution Upon Indemnification Claim . Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent of a written notice signed by a Buyer Indemnified Party, with a copy to the Holder Representative (i) requesting release of the Escrowed Funds or any portion thereof (the “ Indemnification Escrow Funds ”) to the Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to this Section 4(d); and (ii) stating that a Holder or the Company is liable to the Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to Article 9 of the Merger Agreement, for a Loss which has been agreed to by the Indemnifying Party or finally adjudicated to be payable pursuant to Article 9 of the Merger Agreement, in an amount up to the Indemnification Escrow Funds applicable to such Loss then remaining in Escrow, then the Escrow Agent will, subject to the provisions of Section 4(g) below, as promptly as practicable, distribute to the Buyer Indemnified Party, by wire transfer to an account or accounts designated by the Buyer Indemnified Party, such amount of the Indemnification Escrow Funds applicable to the Loss.

 

  2  

 

 

(e) Distribution of Material Financial Statement Variance Damages Pursuant to Joint Written Instructions . Upon the Escrow Agent’s receipt of a Joint Written Direction signed by Buyer and Holder Representative that there has been a final determination of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages pursuant to Section 9.9 of the Merger Agreement, the Escrow Agent shall distribute to the Buyer, an amount equal to the amount of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages finally determined to Buyer, and the remainder of the Material Financial Statement Variance Damages at the written direction of the Holder Representative.

 

(f) Release of Remaining Escrow Funds . Upon receipt by the Escrow Agent at any time following the date which is more than twelve (12) months after the Closing Date of the Merger Agreement (the “ Escrow Release Date ”), of a written notice signed by Holder Representative, with a copy to the Buyer (i) requesting release of the remaining Escrow Funds pursuant to this Section 4(f); and (ii) stating that no unresolved claims are pending pursuant to the Merger Agreement, then the Escrow Agent will, subject to the provisions of Section 4(g) below, as promptly as practicable, distribute to the Holder Representative, by wire transfer to an account or accounts designated by Holder Representative, the remaining balance of the Escrowed Funds less the amount of all Unresolved Claims. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “ Unresolved Claims ” shall mean, as of the Escrow Release Date, the aggregate amount of all claims for Losses and all claims that are the subject of a Claim Notice that have not previously been resolved or satisfied in accordance herewith or that were otherwise properly and timely asserted under this Agreement but otherwise unsatisfied as of the Escrow Release Date, including any claims for which a Claim Notice (as defined herein) has been delivered but for which the seven-day objection period has not expired as of the Escrow Release Date.

 

(g) (i) In the event that Buyer or Representative Holder (as the case may be, the “ Non-Requesting Party ”) has not provided the other party and the Escrow Agent, within seven (7) days of receipt of notice from a Requesting Party (defined below), with written notice (a “ Claim Notice ”) specifying with reasonable particularity the reasons it believes the Escrowed Funds or some portion of the Escrowed Funds should not be released to the party requesting release (the “ Requesting Party ”), then, upon expiration of such seven-day period, Escrow Agent shall release the Escrowed Funds to the Requesting Party together with interest earned on such monies through the date of payment. If Buyer and Representative Holder do not agree that monies are due to a party, or cannot agree on the sum due, such claim only to the extent of the disputed amount shall be referred to herein as a “ Disputed Claim .”

 

(ii)         In the event of a Disputed Claim, Buyer and Representative Holder shall in good faith negotiate to settle such Disputed Claim. If resolution of the Disputed Claim is reached, then the parties shall promptly, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following the Escrow Agent’s receipt of a Claim Notice, deliver to the Escrow Agent written instructions in connection with the disbursement of such agreed portion of the Escrowed Funds together with interest earned on such monies through the date of payment.

 

  3  

 

 

(iii)        If the Escrow Agent does not receive a notice of resolution within thirty (30) days after the Escrow Agent’s receipt of the Claim Notice, then the parties shall commence an arbitration within sixty (60) days after the date of the Escrow Agent’s receipt of the Claim Notice. Any such arbitration shall be before a single arbitrator (the “ Arbitrator ”) (i) who is a member of the American Arbitration Association selected in accordance with the procedures of the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association in any venue mutually agreed to by the parties. In the event the parties cannot agree on a venue, the arbitration shall take place in Nassau County, New York. Each party shall bear its own costs and attorneys’ fees in the arbitration hearing and share equally in the cost and expenses of the arbitrator. The Arbitrator’s award or order shall be final and binding on the parties.

 

(iv)        If a Disputed Claim has subsequently been settled or determined by Buyer and Representative Holder or has been resolved by arbitration or by a final judgment, order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction, and a copy of such settlement, judgment, award order or decree is received by the Escrow Agent, then the Escrow Agent shall pay the appropriate party, as the case may be, from the Escrowed Funds, the amount set forth in such settlement, arbitration award or judgment, as the case may be, together with any accrued interest on that portion of the Escrowed Funds as of the date of payment.

 

(h) All disbursements of Escrowed Funds shall be made together with any accrued interest thereon.

 

5.            Responsibilities of the Escrow Agent .

 

(a) It is agreed that the duties and obligations of the Escrow Agent are only such as are herein specifically provided and no other. The Escrow Agent’s duties are as a depositary only, is acting purely in custodial fashion for the convenience of both parties, and shall incur no liability whatsoever, except for its bad faith, willful misconduct or gross negligence. The Escrow Agent may consult with counsel of its choice, and shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel. The Escrow Agent shall not be bound by any modification, amendment, termination, cancellation, rescission or supersession of this Escrow Agreement unless the same shall be in writing and signed by or on behalf of each of the parties and agreed to by the Escrow Agent. In the event that the Escrow Agent shall be uncertain as to its duties or rights hereunder or shall receive instructions, claims or demands which, in its opinion, are in conflict with any of the provisions of this Escrow Agreement, it shall be entitled to refrain from taking any action other than to keep safely, all property held in escrow until it shall jointly be directed otherwise in writing by the parties or by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(b) The Escrow Agent shall be fully protected in relying upon any written notice, demand, certificate or document which it, in good faith, believes to be genuine.

 

(c) The Escrow Agent shall not be required to institute legal proceedings of any kind and shall not be required to defend any legal proceedings which may be instituted against it.

 

  4  

 

 

(d) If the Escrow Agent at any time, in its sole discretion, deems it necessary or advisable to relinquish custody of the Escrowed Funds, it may do so by delivering the same to any other escrow agent mutually agreeable to the parties, and if no such Escrow Agent shall be selected, then the Escrow Agent may do so by delivering the Escrowed Funds (a) to any bank or trust company located in the State of New York, which is willing to act as escrow agent hereunder in place and instead of the Escrow Agent or (b) to the clerk or other proper officer of a court of competent jurisdiction as may be permitted under the terms and conditions of this Agreement and by law within the State of New York. The fee of any such bank or trust company or court officer shall be jointly paid in equal amounts by Buyer and Representative Holder. Upon such delivery, the Escrow Agent shall be discharged from any and all responsibility or liability with respect to the Escrowed Funds except as herein provided.

 

6.            Expenses of Escrow Agent . The Escrow Agent will not charge a fee for its services as Escrow Agent unless a dispute arises pursuant to Section 4 hereof. All fees, costs and expenses, including, but not limited to, all reasonable outside counsel and advisors’ and agents’ fees and all taxes or other governmental charges, if any, and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or paid by the Escrow Agent in connection with a dispute of the Escrowed Funds or this Escrow Agreement, shall be jointly paid by Buyer and Representative Holder.

 

7.            Indemnification of Escrow Agent . The parties hereto jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Escrow Agent and to hold the Escrow Agent harmless from any loss, liability and expenses incurred without willful misconduct or gross negligence on the part of the Escrow Agent arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration by the Escrow Agent of its duties hereunder including the legal fees, costs and expenses of defending itself against any claims of liability hereunder.

 

8.            Escrow Agent as Counsel to Buyer and GLI . The parties acknowledge that Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. has acted as counsel for Buyer and GLI in connection with the Merger Agreement and otherwise. The parties further acknowledge and consent that no action taken by Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C. as Escrow Agent hereunder shall preclude it from acting as counsel for Buyer or GLI or any shareholder, affiliate, or related party of Buyer or GLI or its shareholders in any matter related hereto or otherwise.

 

9.            Non-waiver . No delay or failure by any party to exercise a right hereunder, and no partial or single exercise of any such right, will constitute a waiver or operate as a waiver of that right or any other right. A waiver on any one occasion will not be construed as a bar to or a waiver of any right on any future occasion.

 

10.          Notices . Any and all notices or other communications required or permitted to be given under any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered, one (1) day after having been sent by nationally recognized overnight courier service, or three (3) days after having been mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the parties at the addresses set forth in the Merger Agreement (or at such other address as any such person may specify by notice to all other such persons given as aforesaid). Copies of all such notices sent to either party hereunder shall also be sent in the manner prescribed herein to Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., 1425 RXR Plaza, East Tower, 15 th Floor, Uniondale, New York 11556, Attention, Gavin Grusd, Esq.

 

11.          Governing Law . This Escrow Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of New York without regard to any principles of conflicts of laws.

 

  5  

 

 

12.          Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, including via facsimile or other electronic means, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

[ Signature page follows ]

 

  6  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Escrow Agreement to be signed the day and year first above written.

 

  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  GLI ACQUISITION CORP.

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  GRAPEVINE LOGIC, INC.

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

  RUSKIN MOSCOU FALTISCHEK, P.C.
  as Escrow Agent

 

  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

   
  GRANT DEKEN
  as Holder Representative

 

  7  

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

STOCK PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT

 

STOCK PURCHASE OPTION AGREEMENT dated as of August 31, 2018 by and between FOMALHAUT LIMITED  , a company organized under the laws of the British Virgin Islands (“SSS”) and SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC., a Nevada corporation (“SSC”),

 

WHEREAS, until the date hereof, SSS was the record and beneficial owner of an aggregate of 6,482,515 shares of Class B Non-Voting Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class B Shares”) of Grapevine Logic, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, on even date herewith, the Company redeemed the Class B shares from SSS.

 

WHEREAS, on even date herewith, the Company issued SSS a right (the “Right”) to acquire 6,482,515 shares of Class A common stock, $.001 par value per share (the “Company Shares”) following the effectiveness of the merger between GLI Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“GLI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SSC, and the Company, pursuant to which SSC shall become a shareholder of the Company and GLI shall cease to exist (the “Merger”).

 

WHEREAS, SSS is a shareholder of SSC.

 

WHEREAS, SSC desires to grant to SSS, and SSS desires to obtain from SSC, an option to sell the Company Shares or the Right to SSC, upon the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW THEREFORE, for the consideration set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.             Option .

 

(a)            SSC hereby grants to SSS, and SSS hereby acquires from SSC, the option (the “Option) to sell to SSC, at the Exercise Price either:

 

(i)           if SSS has exercised the Right prior to the exercise of the Option, all but not less than all of the Company Shares; or

 

(ii)         if SSS has not exercised the Right prior to the exercise of the Option, the entire Right, but not less than the entire Right.

 

(b)           The Option shall be exercisable during the period commencing on the date following the date upon which the Merger is effective (the “Exercise Period Commencement Date”), and expiring at 5:00 p.m. New York time on the third anniversary of the Exercise Period Commencement Date (the “Exercise Period”). SSC agrees with SSS that the Option is granted and all the rights hereunder shall be held subject to, all of the conditions, limitations and provisions set forth herein.

 

 

 

 

2.             Exercise Price .

 

(a)           The aggregate exercise price for the Option is the fair market value of the Company Shares as of the close of business on the date preceding the date upon which the Option is exercised (the “Exercise Price”).

 

(b)           Upon valid exercise of the Option, the Exercise Price shall be paid by SSC to SSS as follows:

 

(i)           Cash Consideration . One-third (1/3) of the Exercise Price shall be paid in cash, by check or by wire transfer (the “Cash Consideration”).

 

(ii)          Common Stock Consideration . The remaining two-thirds (2/3) of the Exercise Price shall be paid in the form of shares of common stock of SSC, $.0001 par value per share (the “SSC Shares”), valued at the closing trading price on the date preceding the date upon which the Option is exercised (the “Common Stock Consideration”).

 

3.             Exercise of Option . The Option may be exercised by SSS at any time during the Exercise Period, upon its presentation and surrender to SSC, at SSC’s then current principle office address with the Option Exercise Form attached hereto duly executed. Upon the exercise of the Option, SSS shall sell to SSC, and SSC shall purchase from SSS, the Company Shares for the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price shall be paid within ten (10) days following the exercise. Payment of the Cash Consideration shall be payable in United States Dollars and the Common Stock Consideration shall be payable by the delivery of stock certificates for the number of shares representing the Common Stock Consideration.

 

4.             Investment Representations . In connection with the granting of the Option by SSC, and the acquisition of the Option by SSS, and the issuance of the SSC Shares upon exercise of the Option, SSS does hereby represent and warrant to SSC as follows:

 

(a)            Acquisition for Account . SSS represents and warrants that (i) any SSC Shares that may be acquired by exercising the Option are being acquired for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view to any distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); (ii) the Option is not assignable by SSS; and (iii) SSS will not sell, assign, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of any SSC Shares acquired in connection with the Option unless (A) a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect thereto is in effect and the prospectus included therein meets the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or (B) SSC has received a written opinion of its counsel that, after an investigation of the relevant facts, such counsel is of the opinion that such proposed sale, assignment, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, transfer or disposition does not require registration under the Securities Act or any state securities law.

 

  2  

 

 

(b)            Investor Status . SSS represents and warrants further that (i) it is an “accredited investor,” as such term is defined in Rule 501(a) promulgated under the Securities Act, and, either alone or with its purchaser representative, has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the acquisition of the Option and the SSC Shares; (ii) it is able to bear the economic risks of an investment in the Option and the SSC Shares, including, without limitation, the risk of the loss of part or all of its investment and the inability to sell or transfer the Option; (iii) it has adequate financial means of providing for current needs and contingencies and has no need for liquidity in its investment in the SSC Shares; and (iv) it does not have an overall commitment to investments which are not readily marketable that is excessive in proportion to net worth and an investment in the Option and the SSC Shares will not cause such overall commitment to become excessive.

 

5.             Legend . Subject to the terms hereof, upon exercise of this Option and the purchase of the SSC Shares, all certificates representing such SSC Shares shall bear on the face or reverse thereof substantially the following legend:

 

“The Shares represented by this certificate have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be sold, offered for sale, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of unless registered pursuant to the provisions of that Act or such disposition is otherwise in compliance with an available exemption from such registration.”

 

6.            Adjustments .

 

6.1            Adjustments for Stock Dividends; Combinations, Etc.  In case the Company shall do any of the following (an “Event”):

 

(a)          declare a dividend or other distribution on its common stock payable in common stock of the Company,

 

(b)          subdivide the outstanding common stock pursuant to a

stock split or otherwise,

 

(c)          combine the outstanding common stock into a smaller number of shares pursuant to a reverse split or otherwise, or

 

(d)          reclassify or otherwise change its common stock, then the Exercise Price in effect at the time of the record date for such dividend or other distribution or of the effective date of such subdivision, combination, reclassification or other change shall be changed to a price determined by dividing (i) the product of the number of shares outstanding immediately prior to such Event, multiplied by the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such Event by (ii) the number of shares outstanding immediately after such Event. Each such adjustment of the Exercise Price shall be calculated to the nearest cent. No such adjustment shall be made in an amount less than one cent ($.01), but any such amount shall be carried forward and shall be given effect in connection with the next subsequent adjustment. Such adjustment shall be made successively whenever any Event listed above shall occur.

 

  3  

 

 

6.2            Adjustment of Exercise Pric e. Whenever the Exercise Price is adjusted as set forth in Section 6.1, the number of Company Shares specified in the Option which SSC will purchase shall be adjusted, to the nearest full share, by multiplying such number of Company Shares immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment and the denominator shall be the Exercise Price immediately thereafter.

 

6.3            Adjustment for Reorganization, Consolidation or Merger . In case of any reorganization of the Company (or any other corporation, the securities of which are at the time receivable on the exercise of this Option) after the date hereof or in case after such date the Company (or any such other corporation) shall consolidate with or merge with or into another corporation or entity, then, and in each such case, upon the exercise of the Option as provided in Section 3 at any time after the consummation of such reorganization, consolidation or merger, SSC shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of the securities and property receivable upon the exercise of this Option prior to such consummation, the securities or property to which SSC would have been entitled upon such consummation if the Option had been exercised immediately prior thereto, all subject to further adjustment as provided in Section 6.1; in each such case, the terms of this Option shall be applicable to the securities or property receivable upon the exercise of this Option after such consummation.

 

7.            Tra nsfer of Option . This Option may not be sold, assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of.

 

8.             Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Option . In the event that SSS notifies SSC that this Option has been lost, stolen or destroyed and provides a letter, in form satisfactory to SSC, to the effect that it will indemnify SSC from any loss incurred by it in connection therewith, SSC shall accept such letter in lieu of the surrender of this Option as required by Section 3 hereof.

 

9.            Applicable Law . This Option is issued under, and shall for all purposes be governed by and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, excluding choice of law principles thereof.

 

[Rest of page intentionally left blank. Signature pages follow.]

 

  4  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Option to be signed on its behalf, in its corporate name, by its duly authorized officer, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  By: /s/ Grant Deken
  Name:   Grant Deken
  Title:   President

 

  5  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of SSS and SSC have caused this Option to be signed on its behalf, in its corporate name, by its duly authorized officer, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.
   
  By: /s/ Robert Benya
  Name: Robert Benya
  Title: President
     
  FOMALHAUT LIMITED
   
   
    DocuSigned by:
  By:  
  Name: F4D335503751437..
  Title:  

 

  6  

 

 

OPTION EXERCISE FORM

 

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in that certain Stock Purchase Option Agreement by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (“SSC”) and Fomalhaut Limited  (“SSS”), dated August 29, 2018, to which this Option Exercise form relates (the “Option Agreement”).

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the within Option dated August 29, 2018 to the extent of (check the box and complete as applicable):

 

¨ 1. To sell the Company Shares to SSC

 

¨ 2. To sell the Right to purchase the Company Shares to SSC

 

In connection with the acquisition of the SSC Shares by SSS, and the sale of such SSC Shares by SSC to SSS pursuant to the Option, SSS makes the representations and warranties to SSC set forth in Section 4 of the Option Agreement as of the date of exercise of the Option.

 

[Rest of page intentionally left blank. Signature page follows]

  1  

 

 

  FOMALHAUT LIMITED
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:       
     
     
  Address
   
   
  Tax Identification Number
   
   
  Date

 

  2  

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

 

September 24, 2018

 

VIA EMAIL

 

Mr. Brett McGonegal

bmcgonegal@me.com

 

Re: Offer of Employment

 

Dear Mr. McGonegal:

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SSC) (the “Company”) is pleased to make this offer of employment to you as Co-Chief Executive Officer (“Co-CEO”). You will also be eligible for appointment to the Company’s Board of Directors (“BOD”) upon the Company meeting Nasdaq’s board ratio compliance. If you accept the offer contained in this agreement (“Executive Employment Agreement”, or “Agreement”), your employment will be effective according to the date of this document and subject to the terms and conditions set forth below.

 

1. Job Duties

 

As Co-CEO, your primary job duties will include communicating with current and potential shareholders, government entities, and the public, leading the development of the company’s short, medium, and long-term objectives, including capital raising efforts, as well as creating and implementing the company’s mission and vision. and such other duties as the Company may reasonably direct you to perform from time to time. You shall report directly to the Company’s Chairman and Board of Directors (“BOD”). In light of your anticipated job duties, compensation, exercise of discretion, and advanced knowledge required of your position, you will be exempt from federal and state overtime wage requirements. The principal place of your employment will be the Company’s offices in New York, New York and Hong Kong, China. However, you will be required to travel to other locations in connection with the performance of your job duties.

 

2. Compensation

 

The Company shall pay you a base salary of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars annually ($500,000), less all required withholdings and deductions, payable in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll policies (the “Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be subject to review from time to time depending upon your job performance and the Company’s overall performance as a firm. Your Base Salary shall increase by 5% per year on each anniversary date of the commencement of your employment, provided the Company’s EBIDTA has grown on a year-to-year basis.

 

  1  

 

 

 

In addition to the Base Salary, you shall be eligible to receive the performance related incentives set forth on Attachment A hereto, subject to all conditions therein. Whether you meet the performance objectives is within the Company’s reasonable discretion. The Company shall, sixty (60) days prior to the commencement of a performance measurement period (at present, the Company measures your performance on a calendar year fashion, i.e., January 1-December 31), provide you with a written criteria for measuring your performance with attainable objectives and a metric to determine the formula-based performance bonus. In the event the Company does not provide you with a metric to determine the formula-based performance bonus prior to the start of a new performance measurement period, the metric for the most recent performance measurement period shall apply. The Company anticipates that any annual-based performance bonuses, if issued, shall be paid within sixty (60) days from the end of the bonus year, and in no event later than March 15 of the year following the bonus year. All performance bonuses paid pursuant to this paragraph shall be less all required withholdings and deductions.

 

3. Term of Employment

 

This offer of guaranteed employment is for a period of two (2) years beginning from September 24, 2018 through September 23, 2020 (the “Term”), subject to the termination rights below. The Company promises to employ you during the Term, subject to its rights to terminate this Agreement at an earlier date as set forth herein. You, in turn, promise to devote your full business time and efforts to the performance of your job duties during the Term, subject to your rights to terminate this Agreement at an earlier date as set forth herein. The Term and the terms of this Agreement shall automatically renew for further one-year periods at the signed written agreement of both parties, unless you and the Company agree to a new renewal period in a written document (excluding e-mail) signed by both parties.

 

4. Termination of this Agreement

 

Either you or the Company may terminate this Agreement at any time. In the event that the Company terminates this Agreement without “Cause,” it shall pay to you: (i) your then-Base Salary through the remainder of the Term, or renewal Term, as the case may be, plus the sum of your prior year’s performance bonuses divided by twelve (12) and multiplied by the months remaining on the Term; (ii) the estimated cost of you continuing your health insurance benefits pursuant to COBRA, if eligible, for a period of twelve (12) months following your termination of employment; and (iii) the value of your office expense and housing allowance benefit for the balance of the remaining lease term at the time of your termination of employment, provided that such remaining lease term period may not be greater than twelve (12) months. Whether and to the extent you are granted any deferred compensation or unvested equity that would vest during the initial Term but-for your termination without “Cause,” all such awards shall immediately accelerate and vest and be payable to you upon your termination without “Cause.” Any Base Salary payments owed to you because of a termination of employment without “Cause” shall be paid to you in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices. In the event that you terminate this Agreement before the end of the Term or the Company terminates this Agreement with “Cause,” the only monetary compensation to which you shall be entitled from the Company shall be the Base Salary for your work performed through the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have “Cause” to terminate this Agreement if, in the Company’s reasonable discretion: (a) you willfully fail to comply with a reasonable directive of the BOD and fail to cure such willful non-compliance within thirty (30) days of the Company’s notice of your willful non-compliance, provided such willful non-compliance is curable; (b) you are convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendre to, a felony or any crime involving fraud or dishonesty or which has an adverse effect upon the Company’s reputation or business; (c) you engage in any act of fraud, dishonesty, or embezzlement; or (d) the Company determines in its reasonable discretion that you violated a securities law or related regulation; or (e) you materially breach this Agreement and fail to cure such material breach within thirty (30) days of the Company’s notice of such breach, provided such breach is curable.

 

  2  

 

 

 

In the event you terminate this Agreement before the end of the Term, you promise to give the Company at least sixty (60) days’ notice of your decision. In exchange, the Company shall continue to pay you your Base Salary during the sixty (60) day notice period. However, you understand and agree that the Company shall have the right to unilaterally reduce or waive any portion of the sixty (60) day notice period and accelerate your final date of employment following notice of your decision to terminate this Agreement. You further acknowledge and agree that your failure to comply with the sixty (60) day notice period shall constitute a material breach of this Agreement in light of your substantial responsibilities for the Company.

 

5. Benefits

 

You shall be eligible for such employee benefits that the Company provides to its senior executives, subject to any waiting time periods or other limitations set forth in the policy or plan document governing each benefit. You will receive additional information regarding some of these employee benefits in the mail. These employee benefits include:

 

· Paid holidays
· 20 days paid vacation
· Paid sick leave
· Group health insurance
· Paid family leave

 

Per Company policy, advance authorization is required for all employees’ use of paid vacation time. Accordingly, you must notify the Company in advance of your intent to use paid vacation time. Generally, the Company will not approve any employee request for more than two (2) consecutive weeks of paid vacation. There will be no payment for unused paid vacation upon the end of your employment with the Company, and paid vacation may not be carried over into a new calendar year without the approval of the BOD.

 

6. Confidential Information

 

Except as authorized or directed by the Company in connection with the performance of your duties and obligations, or as provided below, you will not, at any time either during your employment or after your employment ends for any reason, directly or indirectly, disclose, use, or make available to any other person or entity any Confidential Information that has come into your possession, custody, or control in the course of your employment with the Company, and you will not use any such Confidential Information for your own personal use or advantage or the use or advantage of any person or entity other than the Company, or make any such Confidential Information available to others.

 

  3  

 

 

 

For purposes of this confidentiality obligation, “Confidential Information” means all confidential information, proprietary information, trade secrets, or other information (whether oral or written) regarding the business or affairs of the Company, the Company’s affiliates, or any of the Company’s clients or business partners, including, without limitation, information as to any of the Company’s products; services; systems; designs; inventions; finances (including prices, costs, and revenues); marketing plans; sales; sales strategies; prospects; pricing; pricing strategies; investments; investment strategies and methodologies; portfolio management strategies; programs; methods of operation; prospective and existing contracts; customer lists and other business arrangements, business plans, procedures, and strategies; costs; profits; databases; personnel (including but not limited to personal information about employees, members, partners, and agents of the Company and its affiliates); operational methods; financial models; potential transactions; pending negotiations; computer programs; algorithms; pending patent applications; systems; contractual negotiations; terms of agreements; client lists; customer lists; investor lists; lists of potential clients, customers, and/or investors; financial results; business developments; internal controls; and security procedures. Confidential Information also includes the performance track record of all investments and other transactions in which the Company participates during your employment, which is the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Confidential Information does not include: (a) information that has been lawfully and without breach of obligation made available to the general public without restriction; (b) information that, by way of documentary evidence, you can demonstrate was previously known to you prior to your affiliation with the Company; or (c) information for which you receive express written authorization from the Company to possess after your employment with the Company ends. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list, and Confidential Information also may include, without limitation, any other information, documents or materials that may be identified as confidential or proprietary, or which would otherwise appear to a reasonable person, in the context in which the information, documents or materials are received, provided or learned, to be confidential. This letter will also be treated as Confidential Information; provided you may keep a personal copy of this letter, and may disclose the contents of this letter to a personal attorney, financial advisor or tax accountant, or, solely with respect to restrictive covenants, a prospective employer.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in this letter, or any other agreement or policy of the Company will prevent you from sharing any Confidential Information or other information with regulators or appropriate governmental agencies, including but not limited to governing taxing authorities, whether in response to a subpoena or otherwise, without notice to the Company, or responding to any other lawful subpoena or legal process, provided in such case, unless otherwise prohibited by law or court order or decree, you provide the Company with reasonable notice of such subpoena or legal process. You hereby are notified that the immunity provisions in Section 1833 of title 18 of the United States Code provide that an individual cannot be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for any disclosure of a trade secret that is made (a) in confidence to federal, state or local government officials, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, and is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of the law, (b) under seal in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, or (c) to your attorney in connection with a lawsuit for retaliation for reporting a suspected violation of law (and the trade secret may be used in the court proceedings for such lawsuit) as long as any document containing the trade secret is filed under seal and the trade secret is not disclosed except pursuant to court order.

 

Upon termination of your employment with the Company for any reason, you promise to deliver to the Company all property, proprietary materials, Confidential Information, documents, and computer media in any form (and all copies thereof) relating or belonging to the Company or any Company affiliate, including the Company’s clients or business partners, that is in your possession.

 

  4  

 

 

 

7. Non-Competition Promise

 

In consideration for the offer of employment described within this letter, you promise not to, directly or indirectly, on behalf of yourself or any other person or entity, engage in “Competitive Activities” during the “Restricted Period.” For purposes of this non-competition obligation, “Competitive Activities” means any activity (whether or not for compensation and whether as an owner, employee, contractor, agent, or in any other capacity) engaged in or related to blockchain-based global financial technology and financial asset digitization services in any State within the United States, Hong Kong, or other geographic region in which the Company conducted business at any time during your employment. For purposes of this non-competition obligation, “Restricted Period” means any period for which you receive the Base Salary pursuant to this Agreement and two (2) months after your employment at the Company ends for any reason.

 

The Company may elect to waive or shorten this non-competition obligation, but you acknowledge that such waiver or shortening of this non-competition obligation must be set forth in a signed writing (excluding e-mail) executed by a duly authorized Company officer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, (a) your ownership or investment of any entity that is engaged in Competitive Activities shall not constitute a breach of this non-competition obligation, provided such ownership or investment is limited to five percent (5%) or less of such entity’s outstanding shares, and (b) you shall not be precluded from devoting reasonable periods of time to charitable and community activities, managing your personal investments and serving on boards of businesses not in competition with the Company.

 

8. Non-Solicitation Promises

 

In further consideration for the offer of employment described within this letter, you promise not to, directly or indirectly, on behalf of yourself or any other person or entity, during your employment and for a period of six (6) consecutive months immediately following the termination of your employment for any reason, solicit any actual or potential client, investor, or business partner of the Company for the purpose of performing any services that the Company also performed during your employment with the Company. For purposes of the non-solicitation obligation described within this paragraph, a potential client, investor, or business partner of the Company shall mean any person or entity that the Company solicited for business during your final two (2) years of employment with the Company, unless you had a preexisting business relationship prior to joining the Company.

 

In further consideration for the offer of employment described within this letter, you promise not to, directly or indirectly, on behalf of yourself or any other person or entity, during your employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of your employment for any reason, solicit any employee, officer, contractor, or other agent of the Company to terminate his or her business relationship with the Company; provided that this non-solicitation obligation shall not apply to any employee, officer, contractor, or other agent of the Company who did not have a business relationship with the Company at any time during your final six (6) months of employment with the Company, unless you had a preexisting business relationship with such person or introduced such person for hire by the Company.

 

  5  

 

 

 

9. Non-Disparagement

 

You agree not to disparage the Company, its officers and owners, or its clients and business partners in any way during or after your employment with the Company. This non-disparagement obligation prohibits you from making any statement that would or is reasonably likely to defame, criticize, malign, or in any way be materially and financially harmful to the business reputation of the foregoing entities or individuals. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prohibit you from testifying or responding in good faith to any subpoena or other legal process, provided that you provide reasonable advance notice to the Company of your receipt of such subpoena or other legal process.

 

10. Reasonableness of Promises; Injunctive Relief

 

You acknowledge and agree that the promises set forth in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this letter are reasonable and narrowly tailored to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the Company’s interests in protecting the competitive advantage it derives from its Confidential Information and customer good will. Accordingly, in the event you breach or threaten to breach one or more of the promises in Sections 6, 7, 8, or 9 of this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction enjoining such actual or threatened breach, in addition to any other remedy available at law or equity. You further acknowledge that the promises in Sections 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this letter shall survive termination of your employment relationship. You further agree that in the event of a legal action to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement by the non-prevailing party for its costs associated with such legal action, including the prevailing party’s reasonable attorneys’ fees.

 

11. Inventions

 

You agree that any and all improvements, inventions, discoveries, developments, creations, processes, methods, designs, and works of authorship, and any documents, things, or information relating thereto, whether patentable or not, within the scope of or pertinent to your primary job duties (as described in Section 1 above) or your other performance of work for the Company, which you may conceive, make, author, create, invent, develop, or reduce to practice, or which you previously have conceived, made, authored, created, invented, developed, or reduced to practice, in whole or in part, during your employment with the Company, whether alone or with others, whether during or outside of normal working hours, whether inside or outside of the Company’s offices, and whether with or without the use of the Company’s computers, systems, materials, equipment, or other property, will be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company (the foregoing, individually and collectively, “Work Product”) . To the maximum extent allowable by law, any Work Product subject to copyright protection will be considered “works made for hire” for the Company under U.S. copyright law. To the extent that any Work Product that is subject to copyright protection is not considered a work made for hire, or to the extent that you otherwise have or retain any ownership or other rights in any Work Product (or any intellectual property rights therein), you hereby assign and transfer to the Company all such rights in the Work Product, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights therein, effective automatically as and when such Work Product is conceived, made, authored, created, invented, developed, or reduced to practice. The Company will have the full right to use, assign, license, and/or transfer all rights in, with, to, or relating to Work Product (and all intellectual property rights therein). You will, whenever requested to do so by the Company (whether during your employment or thereafter), at the Company’s expense, execute any and all applications, assignments, and/or other instruments, and do all other things (including giving testimony in any legal proceeding) which the Company may deem necessary or appropriate in order to (a) apply for, obtain, maintain, enforce, or defend patent, trademark, copyright, or similar registrations of the United States or any other country for any Work Product, (b) assign, transfer, convey, or otherwise make available to the Company any right, title, or interest which you might otherwise have in any Work Product, and/or (c) confirm the Company’s right, title, and interest in any Work Product. You will promptly communicate, disclose, and, upon request, report upon and deliver all Work Product to the Company, and will not use or permit any Work Product to be used for any purpose other than on behalf of the Company, whether during your employment or thereafter.

 

  6  

 

 

 

 

12. Business Related Expense Reimbursements

 

You may occasionally incur business related expenses in the course of your job duties. Your permitted business expenses include: (a) the cost of an office space leased for no greater than a twelve (12) month term in close proximity to your private residence in New York or elsewhere at your choosing, the size and cost of which shall be commensurate for a single executive; (b) your travel expenses related to the performance of your job duties; (c) should the Company not provide you with a suitable corporate apartment available for your use, the cost of a residential apartment leased for no greater than a twelve (12) month term, located in New York City, and commensurate with your standard of living; and (d) reasonable expenses related to the entertainment of clients or other potential business partners of the Company. You shall not need advance authorization for any reasonable business expenses below $25,000; however, you understand that all business expenses are subject to review, and the Company reserves the right to deny a business expense reimbursement request in the event it reasonably determines that the expense was not related to your job duties. The Company will reimburse you for an appropriate business-related expense, provided you submit proof of payment and details concerning the expense in a timely manner, and in no event later than sixty (60) days after the expense was incurred. Violation of this policy may result in the denial of an expense reimbursement request. In the event you intentionally submit a false expense reimbursement request, you shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment for “Cause.” Duly submitted reimbursement requests are typically processed within thirty (30) days of submission.

 

13. No Conflicts

 

By signing below, you represent to the Company that you are not presently subject to any obligation that would otherwise prohibit you from performing the above-referenced job duties for the Company, such as a non-competition promise or other restrictive covenant. You further represent to the Company that you are not in possession of any confidential or proprietary information belonging to any entity or person that directly or indirectly competes with the Company.

   

14. Dispute Resolution

 

Should any dispute arise between you and the Company or any Company affiliate regarding any aspect of your employment relationship, you and the Company or the Company affiliate will confer in good faith to promptly resolve such dispute. In the event that you and the Company or the Company affiliate are unable to resolve the dispute, and should either party to the dispute desire to pursue a claim against the other party, both you and the Company or the Company affiliate agree to have the dispute resolved by final and binding Arbitration held in New York County, New York. The Arbitration shall be conducted by JAMS or the American Arbitration Association and provided by an impartial third-party Arbitration provider in accordance with the employment dispute rules then in effect. All previously unasserted claims arising under federal, state, or local statutory or common law and all disputes relating to the validity of this contract, as well as this Arbitration provision, shall be decided by binding and final arbitration. Any award of the Arbitrator(s), is final and binding, and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement of his/its related costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, from the non-prevailing party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this letter shall prohibit either party from applying to a court of competent jurisdiction (instead of an arbitrator) for injunctive relief to enjoin an actual or threatened breach of each other’s obligations set forth in this letter.

 

  7  

 

 

 

15. Severability

 

You acknowledge and agree that in the event any court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction determines that one or more of the provisions of this letter is unenforceable, such court or arbitrator shall be entitled to equitably reform such unenforceable provision so that the provision is given its maximum affect permitted under applicable law. Each provision of this letter is severable from other provisions hereof, and if one or more provisions are declared invalid, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

 

16. Prior Agreements

 

You acknowledge and agree that this document replaces and supersedes any previous offer of employment to you by the Company (whether oral or in writing), including without limitation the “Binding Memo of Understanding” dated September 10, 2018, and sets forth the parties’ entire understanding regarding the subject matter described herein. By signing below, you are not relying upon any representation or promise that is not explicitly set forth within this letter.

 

17. Governing Law

 

You agree that this letter and your employment with the Company shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York. Any legal proceeding arising from dispute related to your employment with the Company must be commenced within New York County, New York.

 

18. Miscellaneous

 

You acknowledge that this letter is the product of arms-length negotiations between you and the Company and, therefore, neither you nor the Company will be considered the drafter of this letter. This letter may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original. Original signatures shall not be required.

 

If these terms are agreeable to you, please sign and date this letter and return it to myself, Bob Benya as President. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

  8  

 

 

 

Sincerely,  
   
/s/ Robert G. Benya  
Robert G. Benya  
President  

 

I understand that this offer of employment is contingent upon proof of my employment eligibility in the United States.

 

Accepted and Agreed:  
   
/s/ Brett McGonegal  
Brett McGonegal  
   
10/1/2018 8:35:24 PM PDT  
Date  

 

  9  

 

 

 

Attachment A – Performance Bonus Criteria

 

Warrant-based Incentives*

 

Executive will receive fully-funded warrants in the aggregate of three million seven hundred and fifty thousand (3,750,000) shares of SSC - Nasdaq listed equity to be struck at a 25% premium to the last trading day’s Nasdaq closing price for SSC of $4.30 (September 7, 2018). Once the price is triggered the stock will vest to the three above individuals on pursuant to the following vesting schedule;

 

¼ of the shares will vest 9 months from the trigger date

½ of the shares will vest 18 months from the trigger date

¼ of the shares will vest 24 months from the trigger date

 

The shares will be held in an account for the benefit of the above identified individuals / employees and will be become due to same when granted to the employee per the vesting schedule.

 

Annual Performance-based Incentives

 

- Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company’s ESOP, commensurate with the Company’s other executives and approved by the Company’s Compensation Committee.

 

- Executive shall be entitled to 20% of net profits received from fees, retainers, and other income generated by the products generated or sold by Executive. This may be received as cash and / or stock, as may be reasonably agreed between Company and Executive.

 

- Year-end cash bonus for 2018, to be agreed between BOD and Executive, and subject to the Compensation Committee, according to Company’s near-term objectives

 

- From January 2019 onwards, the Annual Incentives shall revert to the calendar year, in line with the Company’s annual budget, revenue goals, and objectives.

 

  10  

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

Execution Version

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CONVERTIBLE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CONVERTIBLE NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “ Agreement ”), dated as of June 28, 2018, is entered into by and between Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Nevada (the “ Company ”), and Advantech Capital Investment II Limited, an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “ Purchaser ”).

 

WITNESSETH :

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to issue to the Purchaser, and the Purchaser has agreed to purchase from the Company, the Note (as defined below), subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Note.

 

WHEREAS, a Convertible Note Purchase Agreement (the “ Prior Agreement ”), dated June 21, 2018, was enter into by and between the Company and the Purchaser.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the respective undertakings stated herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

 

1.           DEFINITIONS. Whenever used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:

 

Affiliate ” of any specified Person shall mean any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control”, when used with respect to any specified Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

Agreement ” shall have the meaning given to such term in the preamble.

 

Board ” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

Business Day ” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in the State of New York, PRC, Hong Kong or the Cayman Islands are required by law to be closed.

 

Claim Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

Closing ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

Closing Date ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 2.2 of this Agreement.

 

  1  

 

 

Common Stock ” means any share of common stock of the Company.

 

Company ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Conversion Price ” shall mean a per share price equal to $1.82 of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with the conditions in the Note.

 

Conversion Shares ” shall have the meaning specified in the Note.

 

Dispute ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 7.2 of this Agreement.

 

Group Company ” means the Company, its subsidiaries and any other Person that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company, including its consolidated variable interest entities.

 

Hong Kong ” shall mean the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the PRC.

 

Indemnified Party ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Indemnifying Party ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Indemnity Notice ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.3 of this Agreement.

 

Losses ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.1 of this Agreement.

 

Material Adverse Effect ” shall mean any event, fact, circumstance or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate with any other events, facts, circumstances or occurrences, results in or would reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in or a material adverse effect on (i) the financial condition, assets, liabilities, results of operations, business, prospects or operations of the Company or its subsidiaries taken as a whole, except to the extent that any such Material Adverse Effect results from (x) changes in generally accepted accounting principles that are generally applicable to comparable companies or (y) changes in general economic and market conditions in the PRC; or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Maturity Date ” shall have the meaning specified in the Note.

 

Note ” shall mean the promissory note issued by the Company to the Purchaser pursuant to Article 2 below, substantially in the form of 0 hereto.

 

Person ” shall mean any natural person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, governmental authority or any other legal entity, including public bodies, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other capacity.

 

PRC ” shall mean the People’s Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of this Agreement, Hong Kong, the Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan.

 

Principal Amount ” shall mean US$12,000,000.

 

  2  

 

 

Purchaser ” shall have the meaning specified in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Regulation S ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 3.7 of this Agreement.

 

Securities Act ” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

Third Party Claim ” shall have the meaning specified in Section 6.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

US$ ” and “ U.S. dollar ” shall mean the lawful currency for the time being of the United States of America.

 

2.              NOTE.

 

2.1        Issuance of the Note . Subject to the satisfaction of terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as defined below), the Company agrees to issue to the Purchaser and the Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase from the Company, the Note, in the amount of the Principal Amount.

 

2.2        Closing . Subject to Sections 2.4 and 2.5 of this Agreement, the closing of the issuance and purchase of the Note (the “ Closing ”) shall take place remotely via the exchange of documents and signatures, on a date specified by the parties herein upon the fulfillment of the conditions to the closing as set forth in Section 2.4 and 2.5 or at such other place and time as the Company and the Purchaser may mutually agree. The date and time of the Closing are referred to herein as the “ Closing Date .”

 

2.3        Payment and Delivery . At the Closing, the Purchaser shall pay and deliver to the Company an amount equal to the Principal Amount in U.S. dollars by wire transfer, or by such other method mutually agreeable to the Company and the Purchaser, of immediately available funds to such bank account designated in writing by the Company, such that the payment shall have been delivered and made available to such bank account upon the Closing. The Company shall deliver to the Purchaser the duly executed Note dated the Closing Date, free and clear of encumbrances.

 

2.4        Conditions to the Purchaser’s Obligations to Effect the Closing . The obligation of the Purchaser to purchase the Note at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of the following conditions, any of which may be waived in writing by the Purchaser in its sole discretion:

 

(a)       All corporate and other actions required to be taken by the Company in connection with the execution and performance of this Agreement and the issuance, sale and delivery of the Note shall have been completed; and the Company shall have delivered a copy of its board resolutions and/or the shareholder resolutions (as applicable) approving the execution and performance of this Agreement and the issuance, sale and delivery of the Note;

 

(b)       The representations and warranties of the Company to the Purchaser contained in Article 3 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date, and the Company shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respects under any, agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date;

 

  3  

 

 

(c)       No governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, prevents, prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company; and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or threatened that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company;

 

(d)       The Company and the Purchaser shall have entered into a registration rights agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”);

 

(e)       The Purchaser shall have completed its legal, financial, management, technology and business due diligence investigation of the Group Companies to its satisfaction; and

 

(f)       The Purchaser has received legal opinions issued by the U.S. counsel to the Group Company, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Purchaser.

 

2.5        Conditions to the Company’s Obligations to Effect the Closing . The obligation of the Company to issue the Note at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, or waiver by the Company, of each of the following conditions, upon or before the Closing:

 

(a)       All corporate and other actions required to be taken by the Purchaser in connection with the purchase of the Note shall have been completed;

 

(b)       The representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Article 4 of this Agreement shall have been true and correct on the date of this Agreement and in all material respects as of the Closing Date, and the Purchaser shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all, and not be in breach or default in any material respect under any agreements, covenants, conditions and obligations contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed or complied with on or before the Closing Date; and

 

(c)       No governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any law (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) that is in effect and restrains, enjoins, prevents, prohibits or otherwise makes illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company; and no action, suit, proceeding or investigation shall have been instituted by a governmental authority of competent jurisdiction or threatened that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent, prohibit or otherwise make illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser, or imposes any damages or penalties in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with respect to the Purchaser that are substantial in relation to the Company.

 

  4  

 

 

3.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY . The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchaser the following:

 

3.1        Due Formation . The Company is a company duly incorporated as a corporation, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Nevada, USA. The Company has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted.

 

3.2        Authority . The Company has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and each agreement, certificate, document and instrument to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and any agreements, certificates, documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Agreement, and the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

 

3.3        Valid Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

3.4        Valid Issuance of the Note and the Conversion Shares . The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Note has been duly authorized and reserved. The Note and the Conversion Shares to be issued, sold and delivered upon conversion of the Note will be duly and validly issued and fully paid, and based in part upon the representations and warranties of the Purchaser in this Agreement, will be issued in compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws.

 

3.5        Noncontravention . Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Company or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Company is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the Company’s assets are subject. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Company that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Company to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

  5  

 

 

3.6        Consents and Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Company of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Company of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

3.7        Securities Laws . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser in this Agreement, (a) no directed selling efforts into the United States (as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S under the Securities Act (“ Regulation S ”)) have been made by the Company, any of its affiliates, or any person acting on its behalf with respect to the Note, and (b) none of such persons has taken any actions that would result in the sale of the Note to the Purchaser under this Agreement requiring registration under the Securities Act.

 

3.8        Events Subsequent to Most Recent Fiscal Period . Since January I, 2018 until the date hereof and to the Closing Date, there has not been any event, fact, circumstance or occurrence that has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASER . The Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to the Company the following:

 

4.1        Due Formation . The Purchaser is duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in the jurisdiction of its organization. The Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as it is currently being conducted.

 

4.2        Authority . The Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and each agreement, certificate, document and instrument to be executed and delivered by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. The execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement and any agreements, certificates, documents and instruments to be executed and delivered by the Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, and the performance by the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder have been duly authorized by all requisite actions on its part.

 

4.3        Valid Agreement . This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Purchaser and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Purchaser, enforceable against the Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

 

4.4        Noncontravention . Neither the execution and the delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, will (i) violate any provision of the organizational documents of the Purchaser or violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, or other restriction of any government, governmental entity or court to which the Purchaser is subject, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in the acceleration of or creation of an encumbrance under, or create in any party the right to accelerate, terminate, modify, or cancel, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument, or other arrangement to which the Purchaser is a party or by which the Purchaser is bound or to which any of the Purchaser’s assets are subject, in each case of the foregoing (i) and (ii), in such a manner that would materially and adversely affect the Purchaser’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. There is no action, suit or proceeding, pending or threatened against the Purchaser that questions the validity of this Agreement or the right of the Purchaser to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

  6  

 

 

4.5        Consents and Approvals . Neither the execution and delivery by the Purchaser of this Agreement, nor the consummation by the Purchaser of any of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor the performance by the Purchaser of this Agreement in accordance with its terms requires the consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration with, or the giving notice to, any governmental or public body or authority or any third party, except such as have been or will have been obtained, made or given on or prior to the Closing Date.

 

4.6        Investment Intent . The Purchaser is purchasing the Note solely for its own account for investment and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution of the Note or any portion thereof and not with any present intention of selling, offering to sell or otherwise disposing of or distributing the Note or any portion thereof in any transaction. The entire legal and beneficial interest of the Note is being purchased, and will be held, for the Purchaser’s account only, and neither in whole or in part for any other Person.

 

4.7        Regulation S Eligibility; Restriction on Resale . The Purchaser acknowledges that the Purchaser is acquiring the Note in an offshore transaction in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided by Regulation S. The Purchaser is not a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902 of Regulation S and is located outside of the United States. The Purchaser understands that the Note to be purchased by the Purchaser has not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to the registration requirements under the Securities Act.

 

4.8        Experience . The Purchaser has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial and business matters so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in its Purchased Shares. The Purchaser is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment, including a complete loss of its investment.

 

5.           COVENANTS.

 

5.1        Use of Proceeds . The Company shall use the proceeds from the Issuance of the Note for general corporate purposes and shall not be used to repay any shareholders loans.

 

5.2        Other Convertible Note Offering . Without the Purchaser’s prior written consent, the Company shall not issue or agree to issue to any Person any convertible note or instrument similar to the Note that is dated as at any date during the period starting from the date hereof and ending on a date that is 180 days after the Closing Date, with an aggregate principal amount exceeding US$40 million (including the Principal Amount).

 

  7  

 

 

5.3        Further Assurances . From the date of this Agreement to the Closing Date, the Company and the Purchaser shall use their reasonable best efforts to fulfill or obtain the fulfillment of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

6.             INDEMNIFICATION.

 

6.1        Indemnification . The Company (an “ Indemnifying Party ”) shall indemnify and hold the Purchaser and its directors, officers, employees, advisors and agents (collectively, the “ Indemnified Party ”) harmless from and against any losses, claims, damages, fines, expenses and liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any investigative, legal and other expenses incurred in connection with, and any amounts paid in settlement of, any pending or threatened legal action or proceeding, and any taxes or levies that may be payable by such person by reason of the indemnification of any indemnifiable loss hereunder (collectively, “ Losses ”) resulting from or arising out of: (a) the breach of any representation or warranty of such Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement or in any schedule or exhibit hereto; or (b) the violation or nonperformance, partial or total, of any covenant or agreement of such Indemnifying Party contained in this Agreement for reasons other than gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party. In calculating the amount of any Losses of an Indemnified Party hereunder, there shall be subtracted the amount of any insurance proceeds and third-party payments received by the Indemnified Party with respect to such Losses, if any.

 

6.2        Third Party Claims .

 

(a)       If any third party shall notify any Indemnified Party in writing with respect to any matter involving a claim by such third party (a “ Third Party Claim ”) which such Indemnified Party believes would give rise to a claim for indemnification against the Indemnifying Party under this Article 6 , then the Indemnified Party shall promptly (i) notify the Indemnifying Party thereof in writing within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of such claim and (ii) transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (“ Claim Notice ”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the Third Party Claim, a copy of all papers served with respect to such claim (if any), and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement.

 

(b)       Upon receipt of a Claim Notice with respect to a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim by, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the Claim Notice, notifying the Indemnified Party in writing that the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim, and upon delivery of such notice by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to fully control and settle the proceeding, provided , that, any such settlement or compromise shall be permitted hereunder only with the written consent of the Indemnified Party.

 

(c)       If requested by the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnified Party shall, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, cooperate· with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the Indemnifying Party elects to contest, including the making of any related counterclaim against the person asserting the Third Party Claim or any cross complaint against any person. The Indemnified Party shall have the right to receive copies of all pleadings, notices and communications with respect to any Third Party Claim, other than any privileged communications between the Indemnifying Party and its counsel, and shall be entitled, at its sole cost and expense, to retain separate co-counsel and participate in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim assumed by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to Section 6.2(b) of this Agreement.

 

  8  

 

 

(d)       In the event of a Third Party Claim for which the Indemnifying Party elects not to assume the defense or fails to make such an election within the thirty (30) days of the Claim Notice, the Indemnified Party may, at its option, defend, settle, compromise or pay such action or claim at the expense of the Indemnifying Party; provided , that, any such settlement or compromise shall be permitted hereunder only with the written consent of the Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

6.3        Other Claims . In the event any Indemnified Party should have a claim against the Indemnifying Party hereunder which does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall promptly transmit to the Indemnifying Party a written notice (the “ Indemnity Notice ”) describing in reasonable detail the nature of the claim, the Indemnified Party’s best estimate of the amount of Losses attributable to such claim and the basis of the Indemnified Party’s request for indemnification under this Agreement. If the Indemnifying Party does not notify the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Indemnity Notice that the Indemnifying Party disputes such claim, the Indemnifying Party shall be deemed to have accepted and agreed with such claim.

 

7.             MISCELLANEOUS.

 

7.1        Survival of the Representations and Warranties . All representations and warranties made by any party hereto shall survive for eighteen (18) months and shall terminate and be without further force or effect on the date that is eighteen (18) months from the date hereof, except as to any claims thereunder which have been asserted in writing pursuant to Section 6.1 against the party making such representations and warranties on or prior to such date that is eighteen (18) months from the date hereof.

 

7.2        Governing Law; Arbitration . This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of New York without giving effect to the conflicts of law principles thereof. Any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its existence, validity or termination (“ Dispute ”) shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in accordance with the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre Administered Arbitration Rules then in force. There shall be three arbitrators. Each Party has the right to appoint one arbitrator and the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre. The language to be used in the arbitration proceedings shall be English. The seat of arbitration shall be Hong Kong. Each of the Parties irrevocably waives any immunity to jurisdiction to which it may be entitled or become entitled (including without limitation sovereign immunity, immunity to pre-award attachment, post-award attachment or otherwise) in any arbitration proceedings and/or enforcement proceedings against it arising out of or based on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

7.3        Amendment . This Agreement shall not be amended, changed or modified, except by another agreement in writing executed by the parties hereto.

 

  9  

 

 

7.4        Binding Effect . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Purchaser, the Company, and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns.

 

7.5        Assignment . Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, duties or obligations hereunder may be assigned by the Company or the Purchaser without the express written consent of the other Party, except that the Purchaser may assign or pledge all or any part of its rights and obligations hereunder and under the Note to any Affiliate of the Purchaser, without the consent of the Company, provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Purchaser of its obligations hereunder if such assignee does not perform such obligations. Any purported assignment in violation of the foregoing sentence shall be null and void.

 

7.6        Notices . All notices, requests, demands, and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given on the date of actual delivery if delivered personally to the party hereto to whom notice is to be given, on the date sent if sent by telecopier, tested telex or prepaid telegram, on the next business day following delivery to Federal Express properly addressed or on the day of attempted delivery by the U.S. Postal Service if mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage paid, and properly addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company, at: Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.
  No. 4 Drive-in Movie Theater Park, No. 21
  Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing,
  P.R.C.  100125
  Attn: Legal Department
  Telecopy: 86+10-8586-2775
   
  With a copy to:
  Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.
  55 Broadway, 19 th Floor
  New York, NY 10006
  Attn: President
  Telecopy: 86+10-8586-2775
   
If to the Purchaser, at: 190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman KY
  1-9005, Cayman Islands
   
  With a copy to:
  Suite 1702-03, One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught
  Place, Central, Hong Kong
  Phone +852 2801 6988
  Fax: +852 28014882
  Attn: Finance Department

 

Any party hereto may change its address for purposes of this Section 7.6 by giving the other Party written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.

 

7.7      Entire Agreement . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby, and all prior agreements and understandings, oral or in writing, if any, between the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby are merged and superseded by this Agreement. The Prior Agreement shall terminate immediately after the execution this Agreement.

 

  10  

 

 

7.8        Severability . If any provisions of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any action or proceeding whether in its entirety or in any portion, then such provision shall be deemed amended, if possible, or deleted, as the case may be, from the Agreement in order to render the remainder of the Agreement and any provision thereof both valid and enforceable, and all other provisions hereof shall be given effect separately therefrom and shall not be affected thereby.

 

7.9        Fees and Expenses . Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Company and the Purchaser will bear their respective expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants, consultants and financial advisors, provided, however, that the Company shall bear 50% of the legal fees and expenses incurred by the Purchaser.

 

7.10        Confidentiality . (a) Each party hereto shall keep in confidence, and shall not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any non-public information disclosed to it or its affiliates, representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, and (b) each party hereto shall ensure that its affiliates, representatives and agents keep in confidence, and do not use (except for the purposes of the transactions contemplated hereby) or disclose, any such non-public information, provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall restrict any party from disclosing information (i) that is already publicly available and not as a result of a breach of this section, or (ii) that may be required by applicable law, statute, treaty, rule, regulation, order, right, privilege, qualification, license or franchise or determination of an arbitrator or a court or other governmental authority or stock exchange; provided , however , that any disclosure related to the terms of the transactions contemplated hereby shall require the Company to provide prior written notice to the Purchaser and at least a time period not shorter than two (2) Business Days for the Purchaser to review and provide comments on such disclosure.

 

7.11        Specific Performance . The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event any provision of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with the terms hereof and that the parties hereto shall be entitled to specific performance of the terms hereof, in addition to any other remedy at law or equity.

 

7.12        Termination . In the event that the Closing shall not have occurred by July 3, 2018, the Company or the Purchaser (with respect to itself) may terminate this Agreement with no further force or effect, except for the provisions of Article 7 , which shall survive any termination under this Section 7.12 , provided that any party who is then in a material breach of this Agreement shall not be entitled to terminate this Agreement.

 

7.13        Headings . The headings of the various articles and sections of this Agreement are inserted merely for the purpose of convenience and do not expressly or by implication limit, define or extend the specific terms of the section so designated.

 

7.15        Execution in Counterparts; . For the convenience of the Parties and to facilitate execution, this Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

  11  

 

 

7.16        No Waiver . Except as specifically set forth herein, the rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not alternative. No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will operate as a waiver of such right, power or remedy, and no single or partial exercise of any such right, power or remedy will preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power or remedy or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this Agreement can be discharged by one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may be given by a party will be applicable except in the specific instance for which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party will be deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of that party or of the right of the party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or demand as provided in this Agreement.

 

[ Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank ]

 

  12  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Convertible Note Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.

 

  By: /s/ Bruno Wu
    Name:  Bruno Wu
    Title: CEO and Chairman

 

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Convertible Note Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  Advantech Capital Investment II
  Limited

 

  By: /s/ Wong Kok Wai                 29 JUN 2018
    Name:  Wong Kok Wai
    Title: Director

 

Signature Page to Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF CONVERTIBLE BOND

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

Execution Version

 

THIS CONVERTIBLE BOND (“CB”) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED. NO SALE OR DISPOSITION MAY BE EFFECTED EXCEPT IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT OR AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATED THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL FOR PURCHASER SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER THE ACT OR RECEIPT OF A NO- ACTION LETTER FROM THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD

 

GROUP, INC.

 

CONVERTIBLE BOND

 

US$12,000,000 Date of Issuance: June 28, 2018

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby promises to pay to the order of Advantech Capital Investment II Limited, an exempted company incorporated and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands (“ Holder ”), the aggregate principal sum of Twelve Million US Dollars ($12,000,000) (the “ Principal ”) in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, subject to the provisions contained herein. The Company and Holder shall be collectively referred to as the “ Parties ”. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this CB, initially capitalized words or terms used in this convertible bond (“CB”) shall have the meanings set forth in the Amended and Restated Convertible Note Purchase Agreement entered into by and between the Company and the Holder (as amended, the “ Purchase Agreement ”).

 

1. Principal Repayment

 

1.1         Maturity Date . The Principal and any other amounts payable to Holder hereunder shall be due and payable to Holder on the third anniversary of the Date of issuance (the “ Maturity Date ”).

 

1.2         Interest . Interest shall accrue from the date hereof on the Principal amount at the rate of 8% per annum compounded annually until payment in full or until the conversion of the Principal pursuant to Section 2 of this CB. If the Principal is not converted pursuant to Section 2 of this CB, interest shall be paid with the Principal amount on the Maturity Date. If the Principal is converted pursuant to Section 2 of this CB, interest accrued through the Conversion Date shall be paid or converted into Common Stocks (as defined in Section 2.1 below) at the option of Holder on the Conversion Date in accordance with Section 2 of this CB.

 

1.3         Payment . All payments made pursuant to this CB shall be made by check or wire transfer of immediately available funds and in lawful money of the United States of America to Holder at the address for notices pursuant to Section 5.6 below or at such other place as Holder may designate. Any payment on this CB shall be applied first to accrued interest then to other amounts owing hereunder, and thereafter to the outstanding principal balance hereof.

 

2. Conversion

 

2.1         Right to Convert . Subject to Section 2.4, Holder shall have the right but not the obligation to convert any portion of this CB into shares of common stock of the Company (the ·’ Common Stock ”) at any time and from time to time; provided, however, if the shares of the Common Stock that Holder has the right to convert into represent more than 20% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares, it is being agreed that prior to the obtain of the requisite stockholder approval as set forth in Section 2.2. the Common Stock into which portion of this CB converted shall, in no circumstance, be more than 19.9% of the then outstanding Common Stock (such portion of this CB, “ First Conversion Amount ”). At any time following the conversion of the First Conversion Amount, subject to the approval of the Company’s Shareholders, Holder shall have the right but not the obligation to convert the remaining portion of the Principal and the interest accrued thereon (“ Remaining Conversion Amount ”) into Common Stock. Holder shall not be entitled to vote any shares of Common Stock acquired by it pursuant to this CB or any other Company Agreements in connection with any such stockholder approval sought by the Company.

 

 

 

 

2.2         Stockholder Approval . As promptly as practicable after the Closing of this CB, and in any event, within three (3) months, the Company covenants and agrees to use best efforts to (i) obtain any approvals of the Company’s stockholders required under the Company’s organizational documents, applicable laws and/or the listing rules and regulations of NASDAQ in connection with the transactions contemplated by this CB, (ii) unless proxies are solicited from the Company’s stockholders in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with the Securities and Exchange Commission with regard to the transactions contemplated by this CB, file an Information Statement pursuant to Section l4(c) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with the Securities and Exchange Commission with regard to the transactions contemplated by this CB (the “ Information Statement ”) and (iii) mail the definitive Information Statement to the Company’s stockholders if one is required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Conversion conditions ”).

 

2.3         Conversion Price . Following the election by Holder pursuant to Section 2.1, upon satisfaction of the Conversion Conditions, the first conversion Amount shall be automatically converted into shares of the Common Stock at a conversion rate of$1.82 per share (“ Rate of Conversion ”) of Common Stock (the “ First Conversion Shares ”). Following the conversion of the First Conversion Amount and the election by Holder pursuant to Section 2.1, upon satisfaction of the Conversion Conditions and applicable shareholder’s approval, the Remaining Conversion Amount shall be automatically converted into shares of the Common Stock at the Rate of Conversion (together with the First Conversion Shares, the ’" Conversion Shares ").

 

2.4         Mechanics of Conversion . Within three business days after the Holder informs the Company of its intention to convert any portion of this CB into shares of Common Stock of the Company pursuant to Section 2.1 (such date of conversation, the " Conversion Date "), Holder shall surrender the CB for conversion and the Company shall (i) denote in its corporate records the ownership by Holder of the Conversion Shares, effective as of close of business on the Conversion Date and (ii) return to Holder a new CB with respect to the portion of the original CB which was not converted. Effective as of close of business on the Conversion Date (i) the rights of Holder with respect to the Principal, together with all other amounts due hereunder to Holder shall cease, and (ii) Holder shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder of such Conversion Shares. The issuance of Common Stock upon conversion of this CB shall be made without charge to Holder for any tax in respect of such issuance, and such Conversion Shares shall be issued in such names as may be directed by Holder; provided, however, if the stockholder approval is needed, the Company and Holder shall agree to the Conversion Date, which in no event, shall be later than ten (10) calendar days following the date of the satisfaction of the Conversion Conditions, in compliance with Exchange Act Rule 14c-2(b).

 

2.5         Adjustment or Conversion Shares . Subject to Section 2.6 hereof the number and kind of Conversion Shares or other securities to be issued upon conversion determined pursuant to Section 2.3 shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the happening of certain events while this conversion right remains outstanding, except for Exempted Transactions (as defined below) as follows:

 

(a)          Merger. Sale or Assets. etc . If the Company at any time shall consolidate with or merge into or sell or convey all or substantially all its assets to any other corporation or other entity, this CB shall thereafter be deemed to evidence the right to purchase such number and kind of shares or other securities and property as would have been issuable or distributable on account of such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, upon or with respect to the securities subject to the conversion or purchase right immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance. The foregoing provision shall similarly apply to successive transactions of u similar nature by any such successor or purchaser. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the anti-dilution provisions of this Section 2.5 shall apply to such securities of such successor or purchaser after any such consolidation, merger. sale or conveyance.

 

 

 

 

(b)          Reclassification . If the Company at any time shall by reclassification or otherwise, change the Common Stock into the same or a different number of securities of any class or classes that may be issued or outstanding, this CB shall there after be deemed to evidence the right to purchase an adjusted number of such securities and kind of securities as would have been issuable as the result of such change with respect to the Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification or other change.

 

(c)          Stock Splits . Combinations and Dividends . If the shares of Common Stock are subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares of Common Stock, or if a dividend is paid on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, the number of Conversion Shares to be issued upon conversion shall be proportionately reduced in case of subdivision of shares or stock dividend or proportionately increased in the case of combination of shares, in each such case by the ratio which the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event bears to the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such event.

 

(d)          Incorporation or Redemption or Outstanding Shares . The Rate of Conversion shall be adjusted if the Company incorporates or redeems outstanding securities of the Company (including the form of reverse share split) to decrease the number of shares, the rate of Conversion shall be multiplied by a fi·action, whose numerator is the number of outstanding securities of the Company immediately before the occurrence of the matter, and denominator is the number of outstanding securities of the Company immediately after the occurrence of the matter.

 

(e)          Issues at Less than Rate or Conversion . If and whenever the Company shall issue any shares (other than Common Stocks issued on the exercise of this CB or on the exercise of any other rights of conversion into, or exchange or subscription for, any Common Stock) or issue or grant options, warrants or other rights to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares, in each case at a price per share which is less than the Rate of Conversion on the date of announcement of the terms of such issue, the Rate of Conversion shall be adjusted to be equal to such price per share. Such adjustment shall become effective on the date of issue of such additional shares or, as the case may be, the issue or grant of such options, warrants or other rights.

 

2.6         Most Favored Nation Treatment . If, within the period commencing from the Date of Issuance until the Conversion Date, or (in terms that the conversion set forth in Section 2 does not occur) the Maturity Date, the Company issues or agrees to issue to any person convertible notes or other instruments similar to this CB with terms or conditions more favorable to such person than, or otherwise benefits such person in a manner that is more favorable to such person than the terms set forth in this CB, the Company shall notify Holder and upon Holder's request, promptly amend this CB in order for Holder to receive all such more favorable terms and conditions without imposing any additional obligation or liability on Holder.

 

2.7         Adjustment Notices . Whenever the number of Conversion Shares to be issued upon conversion is adjusted as provided in Section 2.5, the Company shall promptly deliver to Holder written notice setting forth the revised number of Conversion Shares with a statement of facts regarding the adjustment and the computation thereof.

 

2.8         Seniority . The CB ranks senior in right of payment to any of the Company's indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the CB, pari passu in right of payment to any of the Company's other indebtedness and liabilities that are not so subordinated, junior in right of payment to any of the Company's secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

 

2.9         Exempted Transactions . The Holder understands and acknowledges that, concurrently with issuance of this CB, the Company is also in the process of negotiating, concluding or closing the following financing transactions: (i) subscription of Common Stock of the Company by GT DOLLAR PTE. LTD. in the amount of US$1 0,000,000.92; and (ii) subscriptions of Common Stock of the Company by Beijing Tonghe Fund Management Co., Ltd. (./t~~:@jf~~W~~{r)': 1 ~'!lli;M~Ri~fciJ) and Sun Seven Stars Investment Limited or any other affiliate of Mr. Bruno Wu and/or Ms. Lan Yang or the Company, in each case at a price of at least US$1.82 per share of Common Stock (the "Exempted Transactions").

 

 

 

 

3. Covenants Of The Company

 

3.1         Payment of Principal; Conversion . The Company hereby covenants and agrees that it shall pay or cause to be paid all amounts due hereunder on the Maturity Date or, if applicable prior to the Maturity Date, the Company shall effect or cause to be effected any conversion of the Principal into Conversion Shares.

 

3.2         Reserves . From the date hereof until the Conversion Date or Maturity Date, whichever is later, the Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, solely for the purpose of issue upon conversion of this CB, such number of shares of Common Stock as shall then be issuable upon the conversion of this CB. The Company covenants that all such shares of Common Stock shall, upon issuance, be duly and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

3.3         Consent Rights . Prior to conversion of all of the Principals and accrued interest, or (in terms that the conversion set forth in Section 2 does not occur) the Maturity Date, the following acts of the Company shall require prior written approval of Holder: (i) any consolidation, merger or corporate reorganization of the Company in which the Company is not the surviving entity, or any consolidation, merger or investment by the Company or its subsidiaries in any transaction or a series of related transactions with an investment exceeding US$25,000,000; and (ii) any Related Party Transaction or any transactions in a series of Related Party Transactions in excess of US$5,000,000, except for an Exempted Transaction. For purpose of this CB, "Related Party Transaction" means an agreement, contract, plan, arrangement or other transaction effected or proposed to be effected by the Company, or by an entity controlled by the Company, (1) to which, at the relevant time, a Related Party of the Company is a party or has a material financial interest, or (2) to which an officer, director, business partner or employee of a Related Party of the Company is a party or has a material financial interest. "Related Party" means (A) a director or stockholder of the Company, (B) a director or stockholder's spouse, or a parent or sibling thereof; (C) a child, grandchild, parent, cousin, uncle, aunt of a director or stockholder, or the spouse of any thereof; (D) an individual living in the same home as the director or stockholder, or a trust or estate of which a person specified in subparagraph (A) to (D) inclusive of this subdivision is a substantial beneficiary; or (E) an entity, other than the Company or an entity controlled by the Company, that is controlled by or is an affiliate of the director or stockholder or any person specified in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision.

 

4. Default, Acceleration

 

4.1         Events of Default . Each of the following events shall be an "Event of Default" hereunder: (i) the Company fails to timely pay any amounts due under this CB on the date the same becomes due and payable, (ii) the Company breaches any covenant, representation, warranty, or agreement under this CB or the Purchase Agreement, (iii) the Company files a petition or action for relief under any bankruptcy, insolvency or moratorium law or any other law for the relief of, or relating to, debtors, now or hereafter in effect, or makes any assignment for the benefit of creditors or takes any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing, or (iv) an involuntary petition is filed against the Company (unless such petition is dismissed or discharged within sixty (60) days of filing) under any bankruptcy statute now or hereafter in effect, or a custodian, receiver, trustee, assignee for the benefit of creditors (or other similar official) is appointed to take possession, custody or control of any property of the Company.

 

4.2         Acceleration . Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, all outstanding principal, accrued interest and other amounts owing hereunder shall, at the option of Holder, and, in the case of an Event of Default pursuant to Sections 4.1 (a)(iii) or (iv) above, automatically, be immediately due and payable. Holder shall have all rights and may exercise any remedies available to it at law or in equity, successively or concurrently.

 

4.3         Costs of Collection . In the event of any Event of Default hereunder, the Company shall pay all reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs incurred by Holder in enforcing and collecting this CB.

 

 

 

  

5. Miscellaneous

 

5.1         Registration Rights . Holder shall have the registration rights pursuant to certain registration rights agreement dated hereof.

 

5.2         Remedies Cumulative and Continuing . All powers and remedies of Holder hereunder with respect to an Event of Default shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any other thereof or of any other power or remedy available to Holder, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this CB, and every power and remedy given by this CB or by applicable law to Holder may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient by Holder.

 

5.3         Replacement; Exchange . If this CB is destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company will deliver a new convertible bond to Holder on the same terms and conditions as this CB with a notation of the unpaid principal in substitution of the prior CB. Holder shall furnish to the Company reasonable evidence that the CB was destroyed, lost or stolen and any security or indemnity that may be reasonably required by the Company in connection with the replacement of this CB.

 

5.4         Choice of Law . This CB shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of New York without giving effect to the principles of conflict of Laws thereof.

 

5.5         Bank Account . On the Date of Issuance, the Holder shall remit the Principal by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the following bank account as designated by the Company:

 

Name of Bank: THE HONG KONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED

Address : 1 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG

Account No.: 411758345838

Account holder: YOU ON DEMAND (ASIA) LIMITED

SWIFTCODE: HSBCHKHHHKH

 

5.6         Notices . All notices or other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telecopied or sent by certified, registered or express mail , postage prepaid. Any such notice shall be deemed given if delivered personally or telecopied, on the date of such delivery, or if sent by reputable overnight courier, on the first Business Day following the date of such mailing, as follows:

 

(a) if to the Company:

 

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.

No. 4 Drive-in Movie Theater Park, No. 21 Liangmaqiao Road, Chaoyang District,

Beijing, P.R.C. 100125

Attn: Legal Department

Telecopy: 86+ 10-8586-2775

 

With a copy to:

Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc.

55 Broadway, 19 th Floor

New York, NY 10006

Attn: President

Telecopy: 86+ 10-8586-2775

 

(b) if to Holder:

 

190 Elgin Avenue, George Town, Grand Cayman K Y 1-9005, Cayman Islands

 

 

 

 

With a copy to:

 Suite 1702-03, One Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong

 Phone +852 2801 6988

 Fax: +852 28014882

 Attn: Finance Department

 

Any Party may by notice given in accordance with this Section 5.6 designate another address or Person for receipt of notices hereunder.

 

5.7         Assignment . This CB shall be binding upon the Company and Holder and its successors and assigns. The Company may not assign this CB or delegate any of its obligations hereunder without the written consent of Holder. Holder may assign this CB and its rights hereunder to any third party at any time without consent of the Company.

 

5.8         Cooperation; Further Action . Each Party to this CB shall, without further consideration, execute and deliver any further or additional instruments and perform any acts which may become reasonably necessary to effectuate and carry out the purposes of this CB.

 

5.9         Severability . If any provision of this CB shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions of this CB.

 

5.10       Amendments . This CB may not be altered or amended, and no right under this CB may be waived, except by a writing executed by the Parties to this CB or except as otherwise provided in this CB. No waiver of any term, provision or condition of this CB, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision, or condition, or as a waiver of any other term, provision, or condition of this CB.

 

5.11       Headings . The headings in this CB are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Page Follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this CB as of ' the date first set forth above.

 

  SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.,
     
  By: /s/ Bruno Wu
  Name: Bruno Wu
  Title : CEO and Chairman

 

  ADVANTECH CAPITAL lNVESTMENT II LlMITED
     
  By: /s/ Wong kok wai          29 JUN 2018
  Name: Wong kok wai
  Title : Director

 

[Signature Page – Convertible Bond]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

SEVEN STARS CLOUD GROUP, INC.

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED 2010 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purposes of the Plan . YOU on Demand Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”) hereby establishes the Seven Stars Cloud Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”).The purposes of this Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and to promote the long-term growth and profitability of the Company. The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units and Performance Shares as the Administrator may determine.

 

2. Definitions . The following definitions will apply to the terms in the Plan:

 

Administrator ” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4.

 

Applicable Laws ” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

 

Award ” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units or Performance Shares.

 

Award Agreement ” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

Change in Control ” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(i)              Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding voting securities; provided however, that for purposes of this subsection (i) any acquisition of securities directly from the Company shall not constitute a Change in Control; or

 

(ii)             The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;

 

(iii)            A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors to the Company); or

 

  A- 1  

 

 

(iv)            The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

 

For avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (i) its sole purpose is the change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

 

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference in the Plan to a section of the Code will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

 

Committee ” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

Common Stock ” means the common stock of the Company.

 

Company ” means YOU on Demand Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

Consultant ” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

 

Director ” means a member of the Board.

 

Disability ” means total and permanent disability as determined by the Administrator in its discretion in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

Employee ” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director's fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute "employment" by the Company.

 

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

 

Exchange Program ” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced.

  

  A- 2  

 

 

Fair Market Value ” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

 

(i)              If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation any division or subdivision of the Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

 

(ii)             If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, including without limitation quotation through the over the counter bulletin board (“OTCBB”) quotation service administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) , the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

 

(iii)            In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator, and to the extent Section 15 applies (a) with respect to ISOs, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in a manner consistent with Code section 422 or (b) with respect to NSOs or SARs, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in a manner consistent with Code section 409A.

 

Fiscal Year ” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

Grant Date ” means, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator determines to grant an Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator, provided that the Administrator cannot grant an Award prior to the date the material terms of the Award are established. Notice of the Administrator’s determination to grant an Award will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the Grant Date.

 

Incentive Stock Option ” or “ ISO ” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Nonstatutory Stock Option ” or “ NSO ” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an ISO.

 

Officer ” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Option ” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

 

Optioned Shares ” means the Common Stock subject to an Option.

 

Optionee ” means the holder of an outstanding Option.

 

  A- 3  

 

 

Parent ” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

Participant ” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

Performance Share ” means an Award denominated in Shares which may vest in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10.

 

Performance Unit ” means an Award which may vest in whole or in part upon attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10.

 

Period of Restriction ” means the period during which Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer pursuant to Section 7.

 

Plan ” means this 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

Restricted Stock ” means Shares awarded to a Participant which are subject to forfeiture and restrictions on transferability in accordance with Section 7.

 

Restricted Stock Unit ” means the right to receive one Share at the end of a specified period of time, which right is subject to forfeiture in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan.

 

Rule 16b-3 ” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3.

 

Section ” means a paragraph or section of this Plan.

 

Section 16(b) ” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

Service Provider ” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

 

Share ” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 13.

 

Stock Appreciation Right ” or “ SAR ” means the right to receive payment from the Company in an amount no greater than the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Share at the date the SAR is exercised over a specified price fixed by the Administrator in the Award Agreement, which shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date. In the case of a SAR which is granted in connection with an Option, the specified price shall be the Option exercise price.

 

Subsidiary ” means a "subsidiary corporation", whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

Ten Percent Owner ” means any Service Provider who is, on the grant date of an ISO, the owner of Shares (determined with application of ownership attribution rules of Code Section 424(d)) possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

  A- 4  

 

 

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

  a. Stock Subject to the Plan . Subject to the provisions of Section 13, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is thirty one million five hundred thousand (31,500,000) Shares. The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

 

  b. Lapsed Awards . If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited in whole or in part to the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and SARs, the forfeited or unissued Shares) which were subject to the Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). With respect to SARs, only Shares actually issued pursuant to a SAR will cease to be available under the Plan; all remaining Shares subject to the SARs will remain available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations with respect to an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

  c. Share Reserve . The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

4. Administration of the Plan .

 

  a. Procedure . The Plan shall be administered by the Board or a Committee (or Committees) appointed by the Board, which Committee shall be constituted to comply with Applicable Laws. If and so long as the Common Stock is registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, the Board shall consider in selecting the Administrator and the membership of any committee acting as Administrator the requirements regarding (i) “nonemployee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act; (ii) “independent directors” as described in the listing requirements for any stock exchange on which Shares are listed; and (iii) Section 15(b)(i) of the Plan if the Company pays salaries for which it claims deductions that are subject to the Code section 162(m) limitation on its U.S. tax returns. The Board may delegate the responsibility for administering the Plan with respect to designated classes of eligible Participants to different committees consisting of two or more members of the Board, subject to such limitations as the Board or the Administrator deems appropriate. Committee members shall serve for such term as the Board may determine, subject to removal by the Board at any time.

  

  A- 5  

 

 

  b. Powers of the Administrator . Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the approval of any relevant authorities, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

  i. to determine the Fair Market Value;

 

  ii. to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

  iii. to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

 

  iv. to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

 

  v. to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder. Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on continued employment, continued service or performance criteria), any vesting acceleration (whether by reason of a Change of Control or otherwise) or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine;

 

  vi. subject to Section 15(c) of the Plan, to reduce, without prior stockholder approval, the exercise price of any Award to the then current Fair Market Value of the Common Stock covered by such Award if the Fair Market Value has declined since the Grant Date;

 

  vii. to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan, including the right to construe disputed or doubtful Plan and Award provisions;

 

  viii. to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan;

 

  ix. to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c)) to the extent any modification or amendment is consistent with the terms of the Plan. The Administrator shall have the discretion to extend the exercise period of Options generally provided the exercise period is not extended beyond the earlier of the original term of the Option or 10 years from the original grant date, or specifically (1) if the exercise period of an Option is extended (but to no more than 10 years from the original grant date) at a time when the exercise price equals or exceeds the fair market value of the Optioned Shares or (2) an Option cannot be exercised because such exercise would violate Applicable Laws, provided that the exercise period is not extended more than 30 days after the exercise of the Option would no longer violate Applicable Laws.

 

  A- 6  

 

 

  x. to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 14;

 

  xi. to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

  xii. to delay issuance of Shares or suspend Participant’s right to exercise an Award as deemed necessary to comply with Applicable Laws; and

 

  xiii. to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

  c. Effect of Administrator's Decision . The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards. Any decision or action taken or to be taken by the Administrator, arising out of or in connection with the construction, administration, interpretation and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, shall, to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Laws, be within its absolute discretion (except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan) and shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company, all Participants and any person claiming under or through any Participant.

 

5. Eligibility . NSOs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, SARs, Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers. ISOs may be granted as specified in Section 15(a).

 

6. Stock Options .

 

  a. Grant of Options . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, Service Providers shall include prospective employees or consultants to whom Options are granted in connection with written offers of employment or engagement of services, respectively, with the Company; provided that no Option granted to a prospective employee or consultant may be exercised prior to the commencement of employment or services with the Company. The Administrator may grant NSOs, ISOs, or any combination of the two. ISOs shall be granted in accordance with Section 15(a) of the Plan.

 

  b. Option Award Agreement . Each Option shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that shall specify the type of Option granted, the Option price, the exercise date, the term of the Option, the number of Shares to which the Option pertains, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator shall determine in its sole discretion. If the Award Agreement does not specify that the Option is to be treated as an ISO, the Option shall be deemed a NSO.

  

  A- 7  

 

 

  c. Exercise Price . The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be no less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Term of Options . The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement. Unless terminated sooner in accordance with the remaining provisions of this Section 6, each Option shall expire either ten (10) years after the Grant Date, or after a shorter term as may be fixed by the Board.

 

  e. Time and Form of Payment .

 

  i. Exercise Date . Each Award Agreement shall specify how and when Shares covered by an Option may be purchased. The Award Agreement may specify waiting periods, the dates on which Options become exercisable or “vested” and, subject to the termination provisions of this section, exercise periods. The Administrator may accelerate the exercisability of any Option or portion thereof.

 

  ii. Exercise of Option . Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (1) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (2) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with all applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan (together with all applicable withholding taxes). Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Optioned Shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 13.

 

  A- 8  

 

 

  iii. Payment . The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. Such consideration may consist entirely of:

 

(1)               cash;

 

(2)               check;

 

(3)               to the extent not prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, a promissory note;

 

(4)               other Shares, provided Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option will be exercised;

 

(5)               to the extent not prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in accordance with any broker-assisted cashless exercise procedures approved by the Company and as in effect from time to time;

 

(6)               by asking the Company to withhold Shares from the total Shares to be delivered upon exercise equal to the number of Shares having a value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares being acquired;

 

(7)               any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

 

(8)               such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

  f. Forfeiture of Options . All unexercised Options shall be forfeited to the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

7. Restricted Stock .

 

  a. Grant of Restricted Stock . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Restricted Stock Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.

  

  A- 9  

 

  

  c. Vesting Conditions and Other Terms .

 

  i. Vesting Conditions . The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such conditions on the vesting of Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate, including but not limited to, achievement of Company- wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. The Administrator may, in its discretion, also provide for such complete or partial exceptions to an employment or service restriction as it deems equitable.

 

  ii. Voting Rights . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.

 

  iii. Dividends and Other Distributions . During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

  iv. Transferability . Except as provided in this Section, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

  d. Removal of Restrictions . All restrictions imposed on Shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse and the Period of Restriction shall end upon the satisfaction of the vesting conditions imposed by the Administrator. Vested Shares of Restricted Stock will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year in which vesting occurred.

 

  e. Forfeiture of Restricted Stock . On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Shares of Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will be forfeited and revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

8. Restricted Stock Units .

 

  a. Grant of Restricted Stock Units . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Restricted Stock Units to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement . Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the number of Restricted Stock Units granted, vesting criteria, form of payout, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

 

  A- 10  

 

  

  c. Vesting Conditions . The Administrator shall set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. At any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.

 

  d. Time and Form of Payment . Upon satisfaction of the applicable vesting conditions, payment of vested Restricted Stock Units shall occur in the manner and at the time provided in the Award Agreement, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year in which vesting occurred. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, Restricted Stock Units may be paid in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof at the sole discretion of the Administrator. Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash will not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.

 

  e. Forfeiture of Restricted Stock Units . All unvested Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company on the date set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

9. Stock Appreciation Rights .

 

  a. Grant of SARs . Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant SARs to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  b. Award Agreement . Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares underlying the SAR grant, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  c. Exercise Price and Other Terms . The per Share exercise price for the exercise of an SAR will be no less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Time and Form of Payment of SAR Amount . Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount no greater than: (i) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times (ii) the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised. An Award Agreement may provide for a SAR to be paid in cash, Shares of equivalent value, or a combination thereof.

  

  A- 11  

 

  

  e. Forfeiture of SARs . All unexercised SARs shall be forfeited to the Company in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the Award Agreement and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

10. Performance Units and Performance Shares .

 

  a. Grant of Performance Units and Performance Shares . Performance Units or Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units and Performance Shares granted to each Participant.

 

  b. Award Agreement . Each Award of Performance Units and Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the initial value, the Performance Period, the number of Performance Units or Performance Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions (which need not be identical among Participants) as the Administrator will determine in its sole discretion.

 

  c. Value of Performance Units and Performance Shares . Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the Grant Date. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Grant Date.

 

  d. Vesting Conditions and Performance Period . The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions (including, without limitation, continued status as a Service Provider) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number or value of Performance Units or Performance Shares that will be paid out to the Service Providers. The time period during which the performance objectives or other vesting provisions must be met will be called the “Performance Period.” The Administrator may set performance objectives based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, or individual goals or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

 

  e. Time and Form of Payment . After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units or Performance Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of vested Performance Units or Performance Shares by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. Vested Performance Units or Performance Shares will be paid as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period, but in no event later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the year the applicable Performance Period expired. An Award Agreement may provide for the satisfaction of Performance Unit or Performance Share Awards in cash or Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the vested Performance Units or Performance Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

  f. Forfeiture of Performance Units and Performance Shares . All unvested Performance Units or Performance Shares will be forfeited to the Company on the date set forth in the Award Agreement, and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

  

  A- 12  

 

 

11. Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations . Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. An Employee will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary.

 

12. Transferability of Awards . Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

 

13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control .

 

  a. Adjustments . In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, shall appropriately adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award.

 

  b. Dissolution or Liquidation . In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

 

  c. Change in Control . In the event of a merger or Change in Control, any or all outstanding Awards may be assumed by the successor corporation, which assumption shall be binding on all Participants. In the alternative, the successor corporation may substitute equivalent Awards (after taking into account the existing provisions of the Awards). The successor corporation may also issue, in place of outstanding Shares of the Company held by the Participant, substantially similar shares or other property subject to vesting requirements and repurchase restrictions no less favorable to the Participant than those in effect prior to the merger or Change in Control.

 

In the event that the successor corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and SARs, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or SAR is not assumed or substituted in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or SAR will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

  

  A- 13  

 

  

For the purposes of this Section 13(c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a SAR upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to pay cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to pay in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or SAR or upon the payout of a Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Units and Performance Units, as applicable, by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant's consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation's post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

14. Tax Withholding .

 

  a. Withholding Requirements . Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

  b. Withholding Arrangements . The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

  A- 14  

 

  

15. Provisions Applicable In the Event the Company or the Service Provider is Subject to U.S. Taxation .

 

  a. Grant of Incentive Stock Options . If the Administrator grants Options to Employees subject to U.S. taxation, the Administrator may grant such Employee an ISO and the following terms shall also apply:

 

  i. Maximum Amount . Subject to the provisions of Section 13, to the extent consistent with Section 422 of the Code, not more than an aggregate of thirty one million five hundred thousand (31,500,000) Shares may be issued as ISOs under the Plan.

 

  ii. General Rule . Only Employees shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs.

 

  iii. Continuous Employment . The Optionee must remain in the continuous employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries from the date the ISO is granted until not more than three months before the date on which it is exercised. A leave of absence approved by the Company may exceed ninety (90) days if reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then three (3) months following the ninety-first (91st) day of such leave any ISO held by the Optionee will cease to be treated as an ISO.

 

  iv. Award Agreement .

 

(1)               The Administrator shall designate Options granted as ISOs in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), Options will not qualify as an ISO. For purposes of this section, ISOs will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

  A- 15  

 

 

(2)               The Award Agreement shall specify the term of the ISO. The term shall not exceed ten (10) years from the Grant Date or five (5) years from the Grant Date for Ten Percent Owners.

 

(3)               The Award Agreement shall specify an exercise price of not less than the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date or one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the Grant Date for Ten Percent Owners.

 

(4)               The Award Agreement shall specify that an ISO is not transferable except by will, beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution.

 

  v. Form of Payment . The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an ISO, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the Administrator at the time of grant in accordance with Section 6(e)(iii).

 

  vi. Disability ”, for purposes of an ISO, means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

  vii. Notice . In the event of any disposition of the Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO within two years from the Grant Date or one year from the exercise date, the Optionee will notify the Company thereof in writing within thirty (30) days after such disposition. In addition, the Optionee shall provide the Company with such information as the Company shall reasonably request in connection with determining the amount and character of Optionee’s income, the Company’s deduction, and the Company’s obligation to withhold taxes or other amounts incurred by reason of a disqualifying disposition, including the amount thereof.

 

  b. Performance-based Compensation . If the Company pays salaries for which it claims deductions that are subject to the Code section 162(m) limitation on its U.S. tax returns, then the following terms shall be applied in a manner consistent with the requirements of, and only to the extent required for compliance with, the exclusion from the limitation on deductibility of compensation under Code Section 162(m):

 

  i. Outside Directors . The Board shall consider in selecting the Administrator and the membership of any committee acting as Administrator the provisions regarding “outside directors” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

 

  ii. Maximum Amount .

 

(1)               Subject to the provisions of Section 13, the maximum number of Shares that can be awarded to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is one hundred million (100,000,000) Shares;

 

  A- 16  

 

  

(2)               For Awards denominated in Shares and satisfied in cash, the maximum Award to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is the Fair Market Value of fifty million (50,000,000) Shares on the Grant Date; and

 

(3)               The maximum amount payable pursuant to any cash Awards to any individual Participant in the aggregate in any one fiscal year of the Company is the Fair Market Value of fifty million (50,000,000) Shares on the Grant Date.

 

  iii. Performance Criteria . All performance criteria must be objective and be established in writing prior to the beginning of the performance period or at later time as permitted by Code Section 162(m). Performance criteria may include alternative and multiple performance goals and may be based on one or more business and/or financial criteria. In establishing the performance goals, the Committee in its discretion may include one or any combination of the following criteria in either absolute or relative terms, for the Company or any Subsidiary:

 

(1)               Increased revenue;

 

(2)               Net income measures (including but not limited to income after capital costs and income before or after taxes);

 

(3)               Stock price measures (including but not limited to growth measures and total stockholder return);

 

(4)               Market share;

 

(5)               Earnings per Share (actual or targeted growth);

 

(6)               Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”);

 

(7)               Cash flow measures (including but not limited to net cash flow and net cash flow before financing activities);

 

(8)               Return measures (including but not limited to return on equity, return on average assets, return on capital, risk-adjusted return on capital, return on investors’ capital and return on average equity);

 

(9)               Operating measures (including operating income, funds from operations, cash from operations, after-tax operating income, sales volumes, production volumes, and production efficiency);

 

(10)             Expense measures (including but not limited to overhead cost and general and administrative expense);

 

(11)             Margins;

 

 

  A- 17  

 

  

(12)             Stockholder value;

 

(13)             Total stockholder return;

 

(14)             Proceeds from dispositions;

 

(15)             Production volumes;

 

(16)             Total market value; and

 

(17)             Corporate values measures (including but not limited to ethics compliance, environmental, and safety).

 

  c. Stock Options and SARs Exempt from Code section 409A . If the Administrator grants Options or SARs to Employees subject to U.S. taxation the Administrator may not modify or amend the Options or SARs to the extent that the modification or amendment adds a feature allowing for additional deferral within the meaning of Code section 409A.

 

16. No Effect on Employment or Service . Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant's relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant's right or the Company's or its Parent’s or Subsidiary’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

17. Effective Date . The Plan’s effective date is the date on which it is adopted by the Board, so long as it is approved by the Company’s stockholders at any time within 12 months of such adoption. Upon approval of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, all Awards issued pursuant to the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully effective as if the stockholders of the Company had approved the Plan on the Effective Date. If the stockholders fail to approve the Plan within one year before or after the Effective Date, any Awards made hereunder shall be null and void and of no effect.

 

18. Term of Plan . The Plan will terminate 10 years following the earlier of (i) the date it was adopted by the Board or (ii) the date it became effective upon approval by stockholders of the Company, unless sooner terminated by the Board pursuant to Section 19.

 

19. Amendment and Termination of the Plan .

 

  a. Amendment and Termination . The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

  b. Stockholder Approval . The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

  c. Effect of Amendment or Termination . No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator's ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

  

  A- 18  

 

  

20. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares .

 

  a. Legal Compliance . The Administrator may delay or suspend the issuance and delivery of Shares, suspend the exercise of Options or SARs, or suspend the Plan as necessary to comply Applicable Laws. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

  b. Investment Representations . As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

21. Inability to Obtain Authority . The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

22. Exchange Programs . The Administrator may authorize the Company, without prior stockholder approval, to institute one or more Exchange Programs. An Exchange Program may, at the discretion of the Administrator, be offered to individual Participants selected by the Administrator on a case-by-case basis, or to a class of Participants identified by the Administrator. The terms and conditions of any Exchange Program will be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, including without limitation, Section 15(c); provided however, that no Exchange Program may adversely affect the rights of a Participant under an outstanding Award unless the Participant consents in writing to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Exchange Program..

 

23. Substitution and Assumption of Awards . The Administrator may make Awards under the Plan that assume, substitute or replace performance shares, phantom shares, stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights or similar awards granted by another entity (including a Parent or Subsidiary), if such assumption, substitution or replacement is in connection with an asset acquisition, stock acquisition, merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving the Company (and/or its Parent or Subsidiary) and such other entity (and/or its affiliate). The Administrator may also cause the Plan to assume an equity-based award granted by the Company prior to the adoption and approval of the Plan or substitute or replace such prior award with a similar type of Award under this Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan (other than the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan), ,(i) in the case of an Award that assumes, substitutes or replaces an award of another entity pursuant to a corporate transaction, such Award shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original award, with such adjustments or modifications as the Administrator deems necessary and appropriate to give effect to the relevant provisions of any agreement entered into in connection with the such corporate transaction or (ii) in the case of an Award that assumes, substitutes or replaces a prior Company award, such Award shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the original award, except to the extent that any such term or condition is inconsistent with the Plan, in which event the terms of the Plan shall control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may the assumption, substitution or replacement of a prior Company award with an Award under the Plan adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the prior Company award unless the Participant consents in writing to such assumption, substitution or replacement. Shares issued pursuant to assumed, substituted or replaced awards shall count against the total number of shares authorized to be issued under the Plan pursuant to Section 3.

 

24. Governing Law . The Plan and all Agreements shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Nevada.

 

  A- 19  

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Bruno Wu, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ideanomics, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

  

  Date: November 14, 2018
   
  /s/ Bruno Wu
  Bruno Wu
  Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer
  ( Principal Executive Officer )

 

     

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Brett McGonegal, certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ideanomics, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

  

  Date: November 14, 2018
   
  /s/ Brett McGonegal
  Brett McGonegal
  Co-Chief Executive Officer
  ( Principal Executive Officer )

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.3

 

CERTIFICATIONS

 

I, Federico Tovar, certify that: 

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ideanomics, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

  

  Date: November 14, 2018
   
  /s/ Federico Tovar
  Federico Tovar
  Chief Financial Officer
  ( Principal Financial Officer )

 

     

 

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

The undersigned, Bruno Wu, Chief Executive Officer of Ideanomics, Inc. (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:

 

1. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 14th day of November, 2018.

 

 

  /s/ Bruno Wu
  Bruno Wu
  Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer
  ( Principal Executive Officer )

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Ideanomics, Inc. and will be retained by Ideanomics, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

     

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 

The undersigned, Brett McGonegal, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Ideanomics, Inc. (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:

 

1. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 14th day of November, 2018.

 

 

  /s/ Brett McGonegal
  Brett McGonegal
  Co-Chief Executive Officer
  ( Principal Executive Officer )

 

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Ideanomics, Inc. and will be retained by Ideanomics, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.3

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

The undersigned, Federico Tovar, Chief Financial Officer of Ideanomics, Inc. (the “Company”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY that:

 

1. The Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2018 (the “Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

2. Information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operation of the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this statement this 14 th day of November, 2018.

 

  /s/ Federico Tovar
  Federico Tovar
  Chief Financial Officer
  ( Principal Financial Officer )

 

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Ideanomics, Inc. and will be retained by Ideanomics, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

The forgoing certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to § 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. It is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.