DE false 0001459417 0001459417 2021-06-28 2021-06-28

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

June 28, 2021

 

 

2U, INC.

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

 

 

 

DELAWARE
(STATE OF INCORPORATION)

 

001-36376   26-2335939

(COMMISSION

FILE NUMBER)

 

(IRS EMPLOYER

ID. NUMBER)

 

7900 Harkins Road

Lanham, MD

  20706
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)   (ZIP CODE)

(301) 892-4350

(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share   TWOU   The Nasdaq Global Select Market

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

Emerging growth company  ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Membership Interest Purchase Agreement

On June 28, 2021, 2U, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with edX Inc., a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation (“edX”) and Circuit Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of edX (“edX Sub”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to acquire edX Sub (the “Acquisition”).

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, edX will contribute substantially all of its assets to edX Sub effective immediately prior to the closing (the “Contribution”), and the Company will purchase from edX 100% of the outstanding membership interests of edX Sub (the “Membership Interests”). The purchase price for the Membership Interests will be $800,000,000. The foregoing consideration is subject to customary adjustments based on, among other things, the amount of cash, debt, transaction expenses and working capital of edX and edX Sub at the closing date.

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants by edX Sub, the Company, and edX. The completion of the transaction is subject to receipt of required regulatory and governmental approvals, including the expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the transaction under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and certain other customary closing conditions. The transaction does not require approval of the Company’s stockholders and is not subject to any financing contingency.

The Purchase Agreement may be terminated under certain circumstances, including by the Company or edX if the transaction has not been completed by June 28, 2022. The Company currently anticipates that the transactions will be completed within the next 120 days.

The description of the Purchase Agreement set forth above does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto. The Purchase Agreement and the above description have been included to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Purchase Agreement. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or any other parties to the Purchase Agreement or their respective affiliates or equityholders. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Purchase Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Purchase Agreement and as of the specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties thereto, may have been used for purposes of allocating risk between each party rather than establishing matters of fact, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to investors and may be subject to qualifications or limitations agreed upon by the parties in connection with the negotiated terms, including being qualified by schedules and other disclosures made by each party. Accordingly, investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants in the Purchase Agreement as statements of factual information.

Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement

In connection with the Purchase Agreement, the Company entered into a Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated June 28, 2021 (the “Term Loan Agreement”), among the Company, as borrower, the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto, and Alter Domus (US) LLC as administrative agent and collateral agent. Pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, the lenders thereunder agreed to make term loans to the Company on June 29, 2021 (the “Funding Date”) in the aggregate principal amount of $475 million (the “Term Loan Facilities”). The Term Loan Facilities have an initial maturity date of December 28, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”). Commencing on the Funding Date, loans under the Term Loan Facilities will bear interest at a per annum rate equal to a base rate or adjusted Eurodollar rate, as applicable, plus the applicable margin of 4.75% in the case of the base rate loans and 5.75% in the case of the Eurodollar loans. If the loans under the Term Loan Facilities are prepaid prior to the second anniversary, subject to certain customary exceptions, the Company shall pay the Applicable Premium (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) on the amount of the loans so prepaid. If the transaction does not close, the Company can repay the amount of the loans at par, plus accrued and unpaid interest.


The obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the Company and the guarantors, collectively, the “Credit Parties”). The obligations under the Term Loan Agreement are secured, subject to customary permitted liens and other agreed-upon exceptions, by a perfected security interest in all tangible and intangible assets of the Credit Parties, except for certain customary excluded assets.

The Term Loan Agreement contains customary affirmative covenants, including, among others, the provision of annual and quarterly financial statements and compliance certificates, maintenance of property, insurance, compliance with laws and environmental matters. The Term Loan Agreement contains customary negative covenants, including, among others, restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness, granting of liens, making investments and acquisitions, paying dividends, repurchases of equity interests in the Company and entering into affiliate transactions and asset sales. The Term Loan Agreement contains a financial covenant that requires the Company to maintain minimum Recurring Revenues (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company commencing with fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2021 through the Maturity Date. The Term Loan Agreement also provides for customary events of default, including, among others: non-payment of obligations; bankruptcy or insolvency event; failure to comply with covenants; breach of representations or warranties; defaults on other material indebtedness; impairment of any lien on any material portion of the Collateral (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement); failure of any material provision of the Term Loan Agreement or any guaranty to remain in full force and effect; a change of control of the Company; and material judgment defaults. The occurrence of an event of default could result in the acceleration of obligations under the Term Loan Agreement.

If an event of default under the Term Loan Agreement occurs and is continuing, then, at the request (or with the consent) of the lenders holding a majority of the commitments and loans under the Term Loan Agreement, upon notice by the administrative agent to the borrowers, the obligations under the Term Loan Agreement shall become immediately due and payable. In addition, if the Credit Parties become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Term Loan Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable.

The description of the Term Loan Agreement set forth above does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Term Loan Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto. The Term Loan Agreement and the above description have been included to provide investors with information regarding the terms of the Term Loan Agreement. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or any other parties to the Term Loan Agreement or their respective affiliates or equityholders. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Term Loan Agreement were made only for the purposes of the Term Loan Agreement and as of the specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties thereto, may have been used for purposes of allocating risk between each party rather than establishing matters of fact, may be subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to investors and may be subject to qualifications or limitations agreed upon by the parties in connection with the negotiated terms, including being qualified by schedules and other disclosures made by each party. Accordingly, investors should not rely on the representations, warranties and covenants in the Term Loan Agreement as statements of factual information.

 

Item 1.02.

Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

In connection with the consummation of the transactions, the Company terminated that certain Credit Agreement, dated June 25, 2020, by and among the Company, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time party thereto, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and collateral agent, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners, and Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as syndication agents.


Item 2.03.

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registration.

The information set forth under the caption “Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement” under Item 1.01 hereof is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure

The Company issued a press release on June 29, 2021 announcing the execution of the Purchase Agreement. A copy of the press release is attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Attached as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference is a copy of a presentation to be used by the management team of the Company in a presentation to investors (the “Investor Presentation”). The Company intends to post the Investor Presentation in the “Investor Relations” section of its website at www.investor.2u.com. The Company reserves the right to discontinue the availability of the Investor Presentation at any time.

In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liability of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any incorporation language in such a filing, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Description

  2.1    Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2021, by and among 2U, Inc., edX Inc. and Circuit Sub LLC.*
10.1    Term Loan Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated June 28, 2021, by and among 2U, Inc., the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto as guarantors, Alter Domus (US) LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto.*
99.1    Press Release issued by 2U, Inc., dated June 29, 2021.
99.2    Investor Presentation, dated June 29, 2021.

 

*

Schedules and other similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally copies of any of the omitted schedules and other similar attachments upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc., edX Inc., the Acquisition and future business expectations, strategy and intentions all of which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to: risks related


to the Acquisition, including failure to obtain applicable regulatory and governmental approvals in a timely manner or at all, integration risks and failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition, trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets; the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies; the impact of competition on the company’s industry and innovations by competitors; the company’s ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security; the company’s expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students; the company’s dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform; the company’s expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model; the company’s ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, short courses and boot camps; the company’s ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree programs, short courses and boot camps with existing university clients; the company’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of its acquisitions, including edX and Trilogy, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company; the company’s ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability; the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the credit agreement governing its revolving credit facility; the company’s ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired; the company’s ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets; the company’s ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings; the company’s ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs; the company’s ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees; the company’s expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform; potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients; the company’s expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations; the impact and cost of stockholder activism; the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic; the company’s expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and other factors beyond the company’s control. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.


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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

    2U, INC.
    By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

    Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Date: June 29, 2021     Title:   Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 2.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT

BY AND AMONG

2U, INC.,

EDX INC.,

AND

CIRCUIT SUB LLC,

DATED AS OF JUNE 28, 2021

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

              Page  
ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS      1  
           1.1   

Definitions

     1  

ARTICLE 2 PURCHASE AND SALE

     14  
  2.1   

Purchase and Sale

     14  
  2.2   

Purchase Price

     14  
  2.3   

Payments at Closing

     14  
  2.4   

Purchase Price Adjustment

     14  
  2.5   

Withholding

     16  

ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SELLER AND THE COMPANY

     17  
  3.1   

Authorization; Organization; Good Standing

     17  
  3.2   

Capitalization; Formation

     18  
  3.3   

Consents and Approvals

     18  
  3.4   

No Violation

     19  
  3.5   

Brokers or Finders

     19  
  3.6   

Financial Statements and Financial Data

     19  
  3.7   

Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities

     21  
  3.8   

Absence of Changes or Events

     21  
  3.9   

Assets

     21  
  3.10   

Proprietary Rights

     21  
  3.11   

Contracts

     24  
  3.12   

Litigation

     26  
  3.13   

Compliance with Applicable Laws

     26  
  3.14   

Permits

     26  
  3.15   

Health, Safety and Environment

     26  
  3.16   

Taxes

     27  
  3.17   

Insurance Policies

     30  
  3.18   

Employee Benefit Plans

     30  
  3.19   

Employees; Labor Relations

     32  
  3.20   

Transactions with Related Parties

     33  
  3.21   

Real Property

     33  
  3.22   

Vendors; Customers; Institutions

     34  
  3.23   

Bank Accounts

     35  
  3.24   

Trade Names; Business Locations

     35  
  3.25   

Products

     35  
  3.26   

Privacy and Information Security

     35  
  3.27   

Anticorruption; Improper Payments

     36  
  3.28   

International Trade Laws

     36  
  3.29   

Government Contracts

     37  
  3.30   

Education Regulatory Matters

     38  
  3.31   

No Additional Representations

     39  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     39  
           4.1   

Buyer Organization

     39  
  4.2   

Authorization

     39  
  4.3   

Consents and Approvals

     40  
  4.4   

No Violation

     40  
  4.5   

No Brokers or Finders

     40  
  4.6   

Litigation

     40  
  4.7   

Investment Intent

     40  
  4.8   

Sufficient Funding

     41  
  4.9   

Non-Reliance

     41  

ARTICLE 5 PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

     41  
  5.1   

Conduct of Business of Company Prior to the Closing

     41  
  5.2   

Conduct of Business of Buyer Prior to the Closing

     45  
  5.3   

Access

     45  
  5.4   

Exclusivity

     46  
  5.5   

Efforts to Close; Consents and Filings

     47  
  5.6   

Directors and Officers Indemnification Insurance

     48  
  5.7   

Related Party Transactions

     48  
  5.8   

Conversion

     49  

ARTICLE 6 OTHER COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

     49  
  6.1   

Agreements Regarding Tax Matters

     49  
  6.2   

Further Assurances

     51  
  6.3   

General Release

     52  
  6.4   

Public Announcements

     53  
  6.5   

Mission Covenants; Privacy Covenants

     53  
  6.6   

Monitoring Covenants

     53  
  6.7   

Use of Name

     54  
  6.8   

Employment and Benefit Matters

     55  
  6.9   

Contribution

     56  
  6.10   

Transition Services Agreement

     56  
  6.11   

Non-Solicitation of Employees

     56  
  6.12   

Conversion of Buyer Entity

     57  
  6.13   

Contact Lists

     57  
  6.14   

Retained Patent

     57  

ARTICLE 7 CLOSING; CLOSING CONDITIONS

     57  
  7.1   

Closing

     57  
  7.2   

Conditions to Buyer’s Obligations

     58  
  7.3   

Conditions to the Company’s and Seller’s Obligations

     60  

ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION

     62  
  8.1   

Termination

     62  
  8.2   

Effect of Termination

     63  

 

ii


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

              Page  
ARTICLE 9 INDEMNIFICATION      64  
           9.1   

Survival

     64  
  9.2   

Indemnification by Seller

     64  
  9.3   

Indemnification by Buyer

     64  
  9.4   

Indemnification Procedure

     65  
  9.5   

Net Recoveries

     67  
  9.6   

Materiality Qualifications

     67  
  9.7   

Indemnification as Sole Remedy

     68  
  9.8   

Payment

     68  
  9.9   

Purchase Price Adjustment

     68  
  9.10   

No Circular Recovery

     68  
  9.11   

R&W Policy

     69  
  9.12   

Release of Indemnity Escrow Amount

     69  
ARTICLE 10 MISCELLANEOUS      69  
  10.1   

Notices

     69  
  10.2   

Expenses

     70  
  10.3   

Entire Agreement

     70  
  10.4   

Third Parties

     70  
  10.5   

Assignments

     71  
  10.6   

Amendment; Waiver

     71  
  10.7   

Severability

     71  
  10.8   

Governing Law

     72  
  10.9   

Exclusive Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial

     72  
  10.10   

Admissibility into Evidence

     73  
  10.11   

Specific Performance

     73  
  10.12   

Covenants Dispute

     73  
  10.13   

Other Remedies

     75  
  10.14   

Rules of Construction

     75  
  10.15   

Counterparts; Deliveries

     76  
  10.16   

Copy of Virtual Data Room

     77  
  10.17     

Waiver of Conflicts; Privilege

     77  

 

iii


INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

 

Term    Section
Accountants    Section 2.4(d)
Actual Closing Schedule    Section 2.4(b)
Adjustment Escrow Amount    Section 2.3(b)
Adjustment Escrow Fund    Section 2.3(b)
Agreement    Preamble
AJCA    Section 3.16(n)
Allocation    Section 6.1(h)
Balance Sheet    Section 3.6(a)(iii)
Balance Sheet Date    Section 3.6(a)(iii)
Base Amount    Section 2.2
Buyer    Preamble
Buyer’s Breach Notice    Section 6.6(e)
Buyer Conversion    Section 6.12(a)
Buyer 401(k) Plan    Section 7.8(c)
Chancery Rules    Section 10.12(e)
Closing    Section 7.1
Closing Date    Section 7.1
COBRA    Section 3.18(i)
Committee    Section 6.12(a)
Company Conversion    Section 5.8
Confidentiality Agreement    Section 5.3(d)
Contribution    Recitals
Contribution Agreement    Recitals
Covenant Breach    Section 6.6(e)
Covenant Dispute    Section 10.12
Covenant Dispute Notice    Section 10.12(c)
Covenant Reports    Section 6.6(b)
Cure Period    Section 10.12(b)
Deal Communications    Section 10.17(d)
Direct Claim Notice    Section 9.4(f)
Educational Agency    Section 3.30(d)
Employee Benefit Plan    Section 3.18(a)
Employee Benefit Plans    Section 3.18(a)
Escrow Agent    Section 2.3(b)
Escrow Agreement    Section 2.3(b)
Escrow Amounts    Section 2.3(b)
Escrow Funds    Section 2.3(b)
Estimated Closing Amount    Section 2.4(a)
Estimated Closing Schedule    Section 2.4(a)
Export Approvals    Section 3.28(a)
Final Closing Amount    Section 2.4(e)
Final Determination    Section 9.8
Final Net Working Capital    Section 2.4(e)
Financial Statements    Section 3.6(a)

 

iv


INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

(continued)

 

Term    Section
Goodwin    Section 10.17(a)
HEA    Section 3.30(a)
Improvements    Section 3.21(c)
Indemnified Party    Section 9.4(a)
Indemnifying Party    Section 9.4(a)
Indemnity Escrow Amount    Section 2.3(b)
Indemnity Escrow Fund    Section 2.3(b)
Indemnity Termination Date    Section 9.12
Insurance Policies    Section 3.17(a)
Leased Real Property    Section 3.21(b)
Membership Interests    Recitals
Mission Dispute    Section 10.12
Net Recoveries    Section 9.5
Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan    Section 3.16(n)
Outside Date    Section 8.1(d)
Post-Closing Period    Section 6.8(b)
Pre-Closing Period    Section 5.1(a)
Privacy Dispute    Section 10.12
Privileged Deal Communications    Section 10.17(d)
Protest Date    Section 2.4(c)
Protest Notice    Section 2.4(c)
Public Covenant Report    Section 6.6(b)
Purchase Price    Section 2.2
Real Property    Section 3.21(b)
Real Property Leases    Section 3.11(a)(v)
Reference Date    Section 3.8(a)
Related Party Transaction Terminations    Section 5.7
Releasees    Section 6.3(a)
Releasing Parties    Section 6.3(a)
Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claim    Section 9.12
Retained Patent    Section 6.14
Seller    Preamble
Seller 401(k) Plan    Section 7.8(c)
Seller Intellectual Property    Section 3.10(c)
Seller Owned Intellectual Property    Section 3.10(c)
Seller Software    Section 3.10(f)
Steering Committee    Section 10.12(c)
Steering Committee Resolution Period    Section 10.12(c)
Systems    Section 3.10(g)
Tail Policies    Section 5.6
Tax Claim    Section 6.1(f)
Third Party Claim    Section 9.4(a)
Top Customer    Section 3.22(b)
Top Institutions    Section 3.22(c)

 

v


INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS

(continued)

 

Term    Section
Top Vendor    Section 3.22(a)
Updated Financial Statements    Section 7.2(f)(xviii)
WARN Act    Section 3.19

 

vi


MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS MEMBERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of June 28, 2021, is by and among 2U, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”), edX Inc., a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation (“Seller”, and where the context dictates, all references to Seller shall also be deemed to include the Company (as defined below), including, for the avoidance of doubt, as of the Contribution and for all purposes thereafter including the Closing), and Circuit Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Seller (the “Company”).

RECITALS

A. Pursuant to the Contribution Agreement dated as of the date hereof and attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Contribution Agreement”), Seller will contribute all of the Contributed Assets to the Company, effective as of immediately prior to the Closing (the “Contribution”).

B. Company is a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Seller that was formed solely for the purpose of consummating the transactions contemplated herein.

C. Seller desires to sell to Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, free and clear of any and all Liens, 100% of the outstanding membership interests of the Company (the “Membership Interests”).

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. When used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Section 1.1.

Accounting Principles” means GAAP using the same accounting methods, principles, policies, practices and procedures, with consistent classifications, judgments and estimation methodology, as were used by Seller in preparing the Balance Sheet.

Acquisition Proposal” means any offer, proposal or indication of interest (other than an offer, proposal or indication of interest by Buyer or its Affiliates) that would reasonably be expected to lead to any transaction or series of related transactions involving any: (i) merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, direct or indirect acquisition of securities, recapitalization, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction by or involving the Seller that would result in a transfer of the Seller’s Equity Securities; (ii) sale, lease, license, exchange, transfer, acquisition or disposition of any assets of the Seller other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business or (iii) any transaction or business combination involving the Seller or its businesses or assets similar to the transactions contemplated hereby or any other transaction that would be inconsistent with the transactions contemplated hereby or any other transaction the closing of which would be inconsistent with or interfere with or prevent or delay transactions contemplated hereby.


Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. As used herein, the term “control” means: (i) the power to vote at least ten percent (10%) of the voting power of a Person, or (ii) the possession, directly or indirectly, of any other power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

Affiliated Group” means, an affiliated group as defined in Section 1504 of the Code (or analogous combined, consolidated or unitary group defined under state, local or foreign Income Tax Law).

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks located in New York, New York are authorized or required by Law to close.

Buyer Indemnified Parties” means, Buyer, the Company and Buyer’s other Affiliates and their respective equity holders, directors, managers, officers, employees, agents and representatives.

Calculation Time” means as of 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on the Closing Date.

CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and any administrative or other guidance published with respect thereto by any Governmental Authority (including IRS Notices 2020-22 and 2020-65), or any other Law or executive order or executive memorandum (including the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster, dated August 8, 2020) intended to address the consequences of COVID-19 (in each case, including any comparable provisions of state, local or non-U.S. Law and including any related or similar orders or declarations from any Governmental Authority), including any extension of, amendment, supplement, correction, revision or similar treatment of any such legislation or guidance.

Cash” means the aggregate amount of all cash and cash equivalents of the Seller, determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles, (i) including deposits in transit and received but uncleared checks, wires or drafts, in each case, to the extent there has been a reduction of receivables on account therefor (provided that funds are actually received with respect to such deposits in transit, checks, wires or drafts), and (ii) reduced by the amount of any issued but uncleared checks, wires or drafts.

Closing Cash” means Cash as of the Calculation Time, (i) excluding Cash held outside the U.S. to the extent subject to taxation or limitation in the event such Cash were to be transferred into the U.S., (ii) excluding Cash restricted from use except for a contractually specified purpose or used as collateral for, or otherwise to provide credit support for, any liabilities of any Person under any letter of credit or other Contract, and (iii) excluding Cash that is required to be used for nonprofit purposes pursuant to any grant or award or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, “Closing Cash” may be a negative number.

 

2


Closing Deferred Revenue” means Deferred Revenue as of the Calculation Time.

Closing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness as of the Calculation Time.

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

Contracts” means all contracts, agreements, licenses, commitments, obligations and understandings, in any case whether written or oral, to which the Company is party or by which any of its assets are bound, and all amendments, restatements, supplements or other modifications thereto or waivers thereunder.

Contributed Assets” shall have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

Cost Accounting Standards means the standards for identifying and allocating costs under government contracts, as required by 41 USC Chapter 15, and 48 CFR Parts 30 and 99, as applicable from time to time.

Covenant Confidential Information” means any information the public disclosure of which (i) would reasonably be expected to materially adversely effect the Buyer’s business or financial condition; or (ii) is restricted by any confidentiality agreement or other contractual, legal or fiduciary obligation of confidentiality with respect to such information that Buyer has with any third party.

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

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Law, order, directive, guidelines or recommendations by any Governmental Authority in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including, but not limited to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Customer” means, with respect to Seller and the Company, member institutions and business-to-business enterprise clients.

Deferred Revenue” means the consolidated deferred revenue of Seller and the Company, calculated in accordance with the Accounting Principles.

Disclosure Schedules” means the Disclosure Schedules with respect to the representations and warranties set forth in Article 3 and the covenants set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.7 and delivered by Seller and the Company concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

edX and Open edX Trademark License Agreement” means that Trademark License Agreement, by and among the Company as licensor and Seller as licensee, in form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

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Environmental and Safety Requirements” means any Law that is related to (i) pollution, contamination, cleanup, preservation, protection, reclamation or remediation of the environment, (ii) worker health or safety (as such relate to exposure to Hazardous Materials), (iii) the Release or threatened Release of, or exposure to, any Hazardous Material, including investigation, study, assessment, testing, monitoring, containment, removal, remediation, response, cleanup, abatement, prevention, control or regulation of such Release or threatened Release, (iv) the management of any Hazardous Material, including the manufacture, generation, formulation, processing, labeling, use, treatment, handling, storage, disposal, transportation, distribution, re-use, recycling or reclamation of any Hazardous Material, or (v) recordkeeping, notification, disclosure or any reporting requirements regarding or relating to items (i) through (iv) above; including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. § 6091 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the Toxic Substance Control Act (15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 300(f) et seq.) and Proposition 65, as amended (California Health and Safety Code Sections 25249.5 et seq.), and any applicable federal, state, local or foreign Law having a similar subject matter.

Equity Securities” means, (i) if a Person is a corporation, shares of capital stock of such corporation and, if a Person is a form of entity other than a corporation, ownership interests in such form of entity, whether membership interests or partnership interests, (ii) other securities directly or indirectly convertible into, or exercisable or exchangeable for, any securities described in clause (i) above, (iii) any options, warrants or rights to directly or indirectly subscribe for or purchase, any securities described in clause (i) or (ii) above, or (iv) any agreement containing profit participation or phantom equity features with respect to any Person that is an entity.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations issued thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate” means the Company, Seller and any predecessor of the Company and Seller and any other Person who constitutes or has constituted all or part of a controlled group or had been or is under common control with, or whose employees were or are treated as employed by the Company and Seller and/or any predecessor of the Company and Seller, under Section 414 of the Code.

Estimated Closing Deferred Revenue Adjustment” means an amount which is equal to (i) seventy-seven and a half percent (77.5%) multiplied by (ii) Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule.

Event” means any event, change, development, effect, condition, circumstance, matter, occurrence or state of facts, or worsening of any of the foregoing.

Excluded Asset” shall have the meaning set forth in the Contribution Agreement.

Final Closing Deferred Revenue Adjustment” means an amount which is equal to (i) seventy-seven and a half percent (77.5%) multiplied by (ii) Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue as finally determined pursuant to Section 2.4.

 

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Fraud means, with respect to a Person, the intentional common law fraud with respect to such Person’s representations or warranties set forth in this Agreement.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession that are applicable to the circumstances from time to time.

Governmental Authority” means any foreign or United States federal, state, provincial, regional, local, or similar governmental or regulatory authority, agency, organization, department commission or administration or any court, tribunal, judicial or arbitral body or department in any jurisdiction.

Government Approval” means any consent, authorization, approval, Order, license, franchise, Permit, certificate, accreditation, registration, filing or notice, of, issued by, from or to, or other act by or in respect of, any Governmental Authority.

Government Contract” means any Contract for which performance is ongoing or to which the Seller has been a party within the past six (6) years between the Seller, on the one hand, and (a) any Governmental Authority, (b) any prime contractor of a Governmental Authority in its capacity as a prime contractor, or (c) any higher-tier subcontractor of a Governmental Authority in its capacity as a subcontractor, on the other hand. Unless otherwise indicated, no task, purchase or delivery order under a Government Contract will constitute a separate Government Contract, for purposes of this definition, but will be part of the Government Contract under which it was issued.

Government Official” means, collectively, any officer or employee of a Governmental Authority, any Person acting for or on behalf of any Governmental Authority, any political party or official thereof and any candidate for political office.

Hazardous Material” means (i) hazardous substances, as defined by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., (ii) hazardous wastes, as defined by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. § 6901 et seq., (iii) petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof which is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure, (iv) radioactive material, including any source, special nuclear, or by product material as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 2011 et seq., (v) asbestos, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls, (vi) microbial matter, biological toxins, mycotoxins, mold or mold spores, (vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation, (viii) per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (including, but not limited to perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)), and (ix) any other material, substance, contaminant, chemical or waste that is identified, regulated, or defined as hazardous, acutely hazardous, toxic, a pollutant, or words of similar meaning or import, or for which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed, or which requires or may require investigation, removal or remediation under any applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements.

 

5


Improper Payment Laws” means the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 or any rules or regulations thereunder, the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010, any legislation implementing the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business Transactions, and any other applicable Law regarding anti-bribery or illegal payments or gratuities.

Income Taxes” means Taxes imposed on, or with reference to, net income.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Company, exclusively, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, not with respect to Seller, and without duplication, (i) all obligations for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments or debt securities, (iii) all obligations under swaps, hedges or similar instruments, in each case, to the extent payable if the applicable contract is terminated at Closing, (iv) all obligations for the deferred purchase price of any property or services (other than trade accounts payable and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and reflected as accounts payable or accrued expenses in the Final Net Working Capital), including earn-outs, payments under non-compete agreements and seller notes, (v) all obligations created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, (vi) all obligations secured by a Lien, other than Permitted Liens, (vii) all obligations under leases which shall have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases (determined without giving effect to the adoption of ASC 842), (viii) all obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances, surety bonds, performance bonds or letters of credit to the extent drawn upon and not yet reimbursed (except in the amount of which such obligations have been cash collateralized), (ix) all obligations of any Person which are directly or indirectly guaranteed by the Seller or in respect of which the Seller has otherwise assured an obligee against loss, (x) all obligations or liabilities for accrued and unpaid Taxes of the Company as of the Closing Date (including, for the avoidance of doubt, all such sales, use and similar Taxes), (xi) all accrued interest, principal, prepayment penalties, premiums, fees or expenses due or owing in respect of any item listed in clauses (i) through (x) above, and (xii) an amount equal to all obligations with respect to deferred rent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Indebtedness” shall not include (a) any trade payables and other current liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business that are taken into account on a dollar for dollar basis in the computation of Net Working Capital, (b) any amount included in Seller Transaction Expenses, Deferred Revenue or Seller Taxes (other than Taxes described in clause (x) above), (c) any liabilities related to inter-company debt between the Seller and any of its Subsidiaries and any Subsidiary of the Seller and another Subsidiary of the Seller, (d) any letters of credit, performance bonds, banker’s acceptance or similar obligations, to the extent not drawn upon, (e) any bank guarantees, (f) any operating lease obligations (determined without giving effect to the adoption of ASC 842), and (g) any fees, costs or expenses to the extent incurred by, or at the written direction of Buyer related to Buyer or any of its Affiliates’ financing for the transactions contemplated hereby or any other liabilities or obligations incurred by Buyer or any of its Affiliates in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, (h) customer deposits, and (i) any amounts paid or payable under the Seller’s Retention Bonus Program or the award agreements issued thereunder.

Institution” means each college, university, for-profit company, and other member and non-member institutions that provide online course content made available by Seller via the www.edx.org website and the companion mobile applications.

 

6


Intellectual Property” means, collectively, in the United States and all countries or jurisdictions foreign thereto, (i) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all Patents, (ii) all Trademarks, all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (iii) all moral rights and copyrights in any work of authorship (including catalogues and related copy, databases, software, and mask works) and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (iv) all trade secrets and confidential business information (including confidential ideas, research and development, know-how, methods, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical and other data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals), (v) all websites, computer software and firmware (including source code, executable code, data, databases, user interfaces, algorithms and related documentation) (collectively, “Software”), (vi) all other proprietary and intellectual property rights, (vii) the exclusive right to display, reproduce, make, use, sell, distribute, import, export and create derivative works or improvements based on any of the foregoing and (viii) all income, royalties, damages and payments related to any of the foregoing (including damages and payments for past, present or future infringements, misappropriations or other conflicts with any intellectual property), and the right to sue and recover for past, present or future infringements, misappropriations or other conflict with any intellectual property.

International Trade Laws” means any applicable (a) Sanctions Laws; (b) U.S. export control Laws (including, without limitation, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR §§ 120-130, as amended)), the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR §§ 730-774, as amended) and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Laws; (c) Laws pertaining to imports and customs, including those administered by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection in the United States Department of Homeland Security (and any successor thereof) and any regulation, order, or directive promulgated, issued or enforced pursuant to such Laws; and (d) export, import and customs laws of other countries in which Seller has conducted and/or currently conducts business.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Knowledge” means, when referring to the Knowledge of the Company or Seller, or any similar phrase or qualification based on Knowledge of the Company or Seller, (A) the actual knowledge of any of Anant Agarwal, Nell Ma’luf, Peter Brau and Sean Foye, and (B) the knowledge that any such person referenced in clause (A) above would have obtained after making reasonable inquiry with respect to the particular matter in question.

Law” means any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, injunction, judgment, or Order of any Governmental Authority.

Liabilities” means any indebtedness, liabilities or obligations of any nature whatsoever, whether accrued or unaccrued, absolute or contingent, direct or indirect, asserted or unasserted, fixed or unfixed, known or unknown, choate or inchoate, perfected or unperfected, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, or otherwise, and whether due or to become due.

 

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Liens” means all liens, security interests, claims, mortgages, pledges, assessments, covenants, burdens, licenses and other encumbrances of every kind.

Losses” means any and all Liabilities, losses, damages, awards, judgments, royalties, deficiencies, penalties, fines, Taxes, demands, claims, costs and expenses (including reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys, accountants and other advisors and experts paid in connection with the investigation, prosecution or defense of, including in respect of enforcement of indemnity rights hereunder), excluding, in all cases, punitive damages and exemplary damages other than punitive or exemplary damages awarded to a third party against any Indemnified Party.

Material Adverse Effect” means any Event that, individually or in combination with any other Event, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a materially adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, assets or Liabilities of the Seller (on the whole); provided, however that the effects of the following shall not be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Material Adverse Effect: (i) any change in interest rates or economic, political, business, financial, commodity, currency or market conditions generally; (ii) changes or developments generally affecting the industry in which the Seller operated; (iii) changes directly resulting from any increase in competition in any market in which the Seller operated; (iv) any failure, in and of itself, by the Seller to meet internal or other estimates, predictions, projections or forecasts of revenue, net income or any other measure of financial performance (it being understood that, with respect to clause (iv), the facts or circumstances giving rise or contributing to such failure to meet estimates, predictions, projections or forecasts may be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been, a Material Adverse Effect); (v) any changes in Law or GAAP or any interpretation thereof; (vi) changes or conditions resulting from acts of war or terrorism; (vii) the announcement or the execution of this Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the performance of this Agreement, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, licensors, distributors, partners, providers and employees; (viii) the taking of any action expressly required by this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Buyer; (ix) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster or act of God; or (x) COVID-19 or any Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline issued by a Governmental Authority, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or industry group providing for business closures, changes to business operations, “sheltering-in-place” or other restrictions that relate to, or arise out of, an epidemic, pandemic or disease outbreak (including the COVID-19 pandemic) or any change in such Law, directive, pronouncement or guideline or interpretation thereof following the date of this Agreement or the Seller’s compliance therewith; provided, further, however, that clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (v), (vi), (ix) and (x) shall not apply to the extent such Event has had a disproportionate impact on the Seller, compared to other participants in their industry.

Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark” means the Trademarks licensed under the Microbachelors and Micromasters License Agreement.

Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark License Agreement” means the Trademark License Agreement, by and among the Seller as licensor and Buyer as licensee, in form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

 

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Net Working Capital” means the difference as of the Calculation Time between (i) all current assets of the Seller and the Company determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles, and (ii) all current liabilities of the Seller and the Company determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles, in each case excluding any assets or liabilities with respect to Cash, Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses, Deferred Revenue or Taxes. An example schedule of Net Working Capital calculated assuming the Closing occurred on May 31, 2021 is set forth on Schedule 1.1(a) hereto.

Net Working Capital Target” means $5,000,000.

Order” means any order, judgment, ruling, injunction, award, settlement, stipulation, assessment, decree or writ, whether preliminary or final, of any Governmental Authority.

Party” means any party to this Agreement.

Patents” means all letters patent and pending applications for patents of the United States and all countries and jurisdictions foreign thereto and all reissues, reexaminations, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, revisions, and extensions thereof.

Payoff Indebtedness” means Closing Indebtedness of the type described in any of clauses (i) through (iii) of the definition of Indebtedness.

Permits” means permits, licenses, registrations, qualifications, approvals, clearances, certificates, waivers, consents, exemptions, variances and authorizations by or of Governmental Authorities and any certification or accreditations by any certifying or accrediting body.

Permitted Lien” means (a) Liens for Taxes or other governmental charges (i) that are not yet due and payable or (ii) that are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been made on the Financial Statements with respect thereto to the extent required by GAAP, (b) statutory Liens of landlords and workers’, carriers’, materialmen’s, suppliers’ and mechanics’ Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business securing amounts that are not past due, (c) easements, covenants and encroachments which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of or materially interfere with the present use of the Leased Real Property, (d) zoning, entitlement, building and other land use regulations imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Real Property which are not violated, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect by the current use or operation of the Real Property, (e) liens arising under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security, retirement and similar legislation, (f) purchase money liens, (g) non-exclusive licenses for Intellectual Property granted to the Seller in the ordinary course of business, (h) liens to secure landlords, lessors or renters under lease or rental agreements, (i) Liens created by or through Buyer or any of Buyer’s Affiliates, agents or representatives upon or after the Closing, and(j) non-exclusive licenses to Seller Owned Intellectual Property granted by Seller in the ordinary course of business.

Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated association, corporation or other entity or any Governmental Authority.

 

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Personal Data” means a natural person’s name, street address, telephone number, email address, photograph, social security number, driver’s license number, passport number or customer or account number or any other piece of information that identifies or locates a natural person or that, in combination with other reasonably available data, can be used to identify or locate a natural person.

Platform Software Code License Agreement” means the Platform Software Code License Agreement, by and among the Seller and Buyer, in form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any Tax period ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion of any Straddle Period up to and including the Closing Date.

Privacy and Information Security Requirements” means (a) all applicable Laws governing the Processing of Personal Data and (b) if and as applicable, the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.

Proceeding” means any suit, action, litigation, hearing, inquiry, examination, demand, proceeding, arbitration, mediation, claim, charge, investigation or audit.

Process” or “Processing” means the collection, use, storage, processing, distribution, transfer, import, export, protection (including security measures), disposal or disclosure or other activity regarding Personal Data (whether electronically or in any other form or medium).

R&W Insurer” means National Fire & Marine Insurance Company.

“R&W Policy” means that certain representations and warranty policy issued to Buyer by the R&W Insurer, in the form attached as Exhibit E.

Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue” means the remainder of (i) Closing Deferred Revenue less (ii) Closing Deferred Revenue that is not subject to revenue share (including, without limitation, memberships, grants, and gifts) determined in accordance with the Accounting Principles. An example schedule of Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue calculated assuming the Closing occurred on May 31, 2021 is set forth on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto.

Related Party” means Seller, each director, manager or officer of the Company or Seller, each family member of any director, manager or officer of the Company or Seller, each trust for the benefit of any of the foregoing, and each Affiliate of any of the foregoing (other than the Company).

Related Party Transaction” means any Contract, arrangement or transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and any Related Party, on the other hand.

Release” means any releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, migrating, disposing or dumping into the indoor or outdoor environment.

 

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Sanctioned Jurisdiction” means, at any time, a country, territory or geographical region which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (currently the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria).

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions, requirements or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by Governmental Authorities with jurisdiction over Seller (including the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or any other relevant Governmental Authority in the jurisdictions in which the Seller operates.

Sanctions Laws” means all Laws and requirements of any jurisdiction, including the U.S., applicable to Seller or its Affiliates or any Party to this Agreement concerning or relating to Sanctions, terrorism or money laundering, including, without limitation, (a) Executive Order No. 13224 of September 23, 2001 entitled Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism (the “Executive Order”); (b) the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001; (c) the U.S. International Emergency Economic Powers Act; (d) the U.S. Trading with the Enemy Act; (e) the U.S. United Nations Participation Act; (f) the U.S. Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Act; (g) the U.S. Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010; (h) the Iran Sanctions Act, Section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012; and (i) any similar Laws, rules, regulations and requirements enacted, administered or enforced by the U.S., the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury or any other relevant Governmental Authority in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

Sanctions Target” means any Person: (a) that is the subject or target of any Sanctions; (b) listed in the annex to, or otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (c) named in any Sanctions-related list maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce or the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including the OFAC list of “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons”; (d) located, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Jurisdiction that is the subject or target of Sanctions; (e) which otherwise is, by public designation of the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or any other relevant Governmental Authority in the jurisdictions in which Seller operates, the subject or target of any Sanction; (f) with which any party to this Agreement is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Sanctions Laws; or (g) owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a)-(f).

Seller Indemnified Parties” means Seller and the equity holders, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, statutory members, and representatives of Seller.

Seller Data” means all data contained in the systems, databases, files or other records of Seller and all other information and data compilations used or owned by Seller in the course of conducting its business, whether or not in electronic form, including but not limited to Personal Data, user account data, and data described in the Seller’s agreements with Customers as “Learner Data”, student, course, or registration data, or similar data, for which in each case the Seller is the owner, controller, service provider or processor.

 

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Seller Taxes” means any Taxes (i) imposed on Seller for any Taxable period, (ii) imposed on or with respect to the Company or its assets or operations for any Pre-Closing Tax Period, (iii) imposed with respect to the sale of Membership Interests contemplated by this Agreement or in connection with the Contribution, but excluding any Transfer Taxes borne by Buyer pursuant to Section 7.1(e), (iv) of any Person other than the Company imposed on the Company as a result of being a member of any Affiliated Group on or before the Closing Date pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 or any similar state, local, or foreign Law, (v) of any Person for which the Company is or becomes liable as a transferee or successor, by Contract (including any Tax sharing, Tax indemnity, or Tax allocation agreement or any other agreement to indemnify any other Person for Taxes), pursuant to any law, or otherwise, to the extent such Taxes relate to an event or transaction occurring on or before the Closing Date, or (vi) imposed on Buyer as a transferee or successor of Seller.

Seller Transaction Expenses” means (i) all of the fees, costs and expenses incurred by Seller or the Company in connection with the negotiation, execution, and delivery of this Agreement, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or in connection with any alternative transactions with respect to the sale of the Company or the business of Seller, including all fees, costs and expenses payable to attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, consultants or other advisors, and all obligations under any engagement letter or other agreement or understanding with The Klein Group, LLC or any other investment bank or broker, in each case only to the extent unpaid and outstanding at the time of Closing, (ii) all payments by Seller or the Company to obtain any third party consent required under any Contract in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Transaction Document, (iii) any bonus, stay bonus, retention bonus, or change of control, obligations that arise in whole or in part as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and all employer side payroll Taxes that are payable or incurred by Seller or the Company in connection with or as a result of the satisfaction of such obligations, in each case to the extent not paid by the Seller or the Company as of the Closing Date (and including all employer side payroll Taxes payable or incurred in connection with or as a result of the satisfaction of such obligations) (excluding in all respects any such amounts paid or payable under the Seller’s Retention Bonus Program or the awards issued thereunder), (iv) all premiums, fees and other costs incurred in connection with obtaining the Tail Policies, (v) all obligations outstanding at the time of Closing with respect to any unfunded or underfunded Employee Benefit Plan, and (vi) all obligations outstanding at the time of Closing with respect to any vacation, bonus, commission, severance, 401(k) or IRA match, deferred compensation or similar compensation earned by, and/or accrued by Seller with respect to, any Service Provider for or with respect to any period or portion of any period ending on or prior to the Closing Date and all employer side payroll Taxes payable or incurred by the Company in connection with or as a result of the payment of such obligations. Notwithstanding the forgoing, Seller Transaction Expenses will not include any amount included in Seller Taxes.

Service Provider” means each current and former director, manager, officer, employee, independent contractor, consultant or leased employee of Seller.

Straddle Period” means any taxable period that begins on or before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.

 

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

Tax” means any and all national, U.S. federal, state, local, foreign or other income, gross receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, excise, natural resources, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, windfall profit, environmental, escheat or unclaimed property (whether or not considered tax under applicable law), customs, real property, personal property, ad valorem, capital stock, social security, unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee or other withholding, composite, healthcare or other tax, of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalties or additions to Tax, any penalties resulting from any failure to file or timely file a Tax Return, or additional amounts in respect of the foregoing.

Tax Proceeding” means any Proceeding with respect to Taxes or with or against any taxing authority.

Tax Returns” means returns, declarations, reports, notices, forms, claims for refund, information returns, or other documents (including any related or supporting schedules) filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Authority, or maintained by any Person, or required to be maintained by any Person, in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Tax of any party or the administration of any Laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.

Trademark License Agreements” means each of the edX and Open edX Trademark License Agreement and the Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark License Agreement.

Trademarks” mean, in the United States and all countries and jurisdictions foreign thereto, registered trademarks, registered service marks, trademark and service mark applications, unregistered trademarks and service marks, registered trade names and unregistered trade names, corporate names, fictitious names, trade dress, logos, slogans, Internet domain names, rights in telephone numbers, and other indicia of origin, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, combinations and renewals thereof.

 

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Transaction Document” means this Agreement, the Platform Software Code License Agreement, the Trademark License Agreements, the Escrow Agreement, the Contribution Agreement and the certificates contemplated by Section 7.2(f)(ii) and Section 7.3(e)(ii).

U.S.” or “United States” means the United States of America.

ARTICLE 2

PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1 Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Seller hereby agrees to sell, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Buyer all right, title and interest in the Membership Interests, free and clear of any and all Liens, and Buyer hereby agrees to acquire from Seller all right, title and interest in the Membership Interests, free and clear of any and all Liens.

2.2 Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the Membership Interests and the rights and benefits conferred herein (the “Purchase Price”) shall be $800,000,000 (the “Base Amount”), plus or minus, as the case may be, an adjustment amount as determined in accordance with Section 2.4.

2.3 Payments at Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, at the Closing:

(a) Buyer shall pay to the applicable obligees thereof, on behalf of the Company and Seller and for their account, the amount of all Payoff Indebtedness and Seller Transaction Expenses set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule;

(b) Buyer shall deposit an amount equal to $10,000,000 (the “Adjustment Escrow Amount”) and an amount equal to $13,000,000 (the “Indemnity Escrow Amount”, and together with the Adjustment Escrow Amount, the “Escrow Amounts”) with Acquiom Clearinghouse LLC, as escrow agent (the “Escrow Agent”), and such funds plus all income accrued thereon (respectively, the “Adjustment Escrow Fund” and the “Indemnity Escrow Fund”, and, collectively, the “Escrow Funds”) shall be maintained by Escrow Agent to secure Seller’s obligations under this Agreement and shall be administered and payable in accordance with an escrow agreement by and among Seller, Buyer and the Escrow Agent in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Escrow Agreement”);] and

(c) Buyer shall pay to Seller an aggregate amount equal to (i) the Estimated Closing Amount, minus (ii) the Escrow Amounts. Such amount shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the account or accounts designated in writing by Seller not less than two (2) days prior to the Closing Date.

2.4 Purchase Price Adjustment.

(a) Estimated Closing Amount. At least three (3) Business Days before the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to Buyer a schedule (the “Estimated Closing Schedule”) setting forth Seller’s good faith estimate of Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue. The

 

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Estimated Closing Amount” shall be equal to (i) the Base Amount, minus (ii) the amount of Closing Indebtedness set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule, minus (iii) the amount of Seller Transaction Expenses set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule, minus (iv) the amount of Estimated Closing Deferred Revenue Adjustment, plus (v) the amount of Closing Cash set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule, plus (vi) the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule is greater than the Net Working Capital Target, minus (vii) the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule is less than the Net Working Capital Target. Seller and the Company shall provide Buyer and its representatives with reasonable access to the books and records of Seller and shall cause the personnel of Seller to reasonably cooperate with Buyer and its representatives for the purpose of enabling Buyer to review Seller’s determination of all amounts and estimates in the Estimated Closing Schedule and each component thereof, and such amounts shall be adjusted in response to any reasonable comments of Buyer provided prior to the Closing.

(b) Actual Closing Schedule. On or before the date that is sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, Buyer or its representatives shall prepare a schedule setting forth its determination of Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue (the “Actual Closing Schedule”) and shall deliver the Actual Closing Schedule to Seller. Net Working Capital and Closing Cash shall be determined disregarding any effects on the assets and liabilities of Seller of (i) purchase accounting adjustments arising from or resulting as a consequence of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (ii) any cash or cash equivalents contributed to the Company by Buyer or any of its Affiliates on the Closing Date.

(c) Protest Notice. Prior to the date which is thirty (30) days after Buyer’s delivery of the Actual Closing Schedule (the “Protest Date”), Seller may deliver written notice to Buyer (the “Protest Notice”) setting forth any objections which Seller may have to the Actual Closing Schedule. The sole permissible grounds for objection shall be that Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and/or Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue was not calculated in accordance with the definition thereof. The Protest Notice shall specify in reasonable detail any contested amounts and shall include a schedule setting forth Seller’s determination of Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue. If a Protest Notice is not delivered prior to the Protest Date, the Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue as set forth on the Actual Closing Schedule shall be final, binding and non-appealable by Seller. If a Protest Notice is delivered prior to the Protest Date, any amounts not disputed therein shall be final, binding and non-appealable by Seller. Upon receipt of the Actual Closing Schedule, Seller and its representatives will be given reasonable access upon reasonable notice to the Company’s relevant books, records and workpapers and Buyer shall cause the personnel of the Company to reasonably cooperate with Seller and its representatives for the purpose of verifying Net Working Capital, Closing Cash, Closing Indebtedness, Seller Transaction Expenses and Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue.

(d) Resolution of the Protest. If Buyer and Seller are unable to resolve any disagreement with respect to the Actual Closing Schedule within thirty (30) days following Buyer’s receipt of the Protest Notice, then only the amounts in dispute will be referred to an independent accountant of nationally recognized standing mutually agreed upon by Buyer and

 

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Seller, (the “Accountants”) for final determination within forty-five (45) days after such referral. The determination by the Accountants of the amounts in dispute shall be based solely on presentations by Buyer and Seller, and shall not involve the Accountants’ independent review. Any determination by the Accountants shall not be outside the range defined by the respective amounts in the Actual Closing Schedule proposed by Buyer and Seller’s proposed adjustments thereto set forth in the Protest Notice, and absent manifest mathematical error such determination shall be final, binding and non-appealable. Each of Buyer, on the one hand, and Seller on the other hand, shall bear that percentage of the fees and expenses of the Accountants equal to the percentage (determined by the Accountants) which the aggregate portion of the contested amount as set forth in the Actual Closing Schedule in the case of Buyer or the Protest Notice in the case of Seller, not awarded to such party bears to the aggregate amount actually contested by such party. For example, if Seller claims the Closing Cash is $1,000 greater than the amount determined by Buyer, and Buyer contests only $500 of the amount claimed by Seller, and if the Accountants ultimately resolves the dispute by awarding Seller $300 of the $500 contested, then the fees and expenses of the Accountants will be allocated 60% (i.e., 300 ÷ 500) to Buyer and 40% (i.e., 200 ÷ 500) to Seller.

(e) Final Closing Amount. The “Final Closing Amount” shall be equal to (i) the Base Amount, minus (ii) the amount of Closing Indebtedness as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4, minus (iii) the amount of Seller Transaction Expenses as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4, minus (iv) the Final Closing Deferred Revenue Adjustment, plus (v) the amount of Closing Cash as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4, plus (vi) the amount, if any, by which the Net Working Capital as finally determined pursuant to this Section 2.4 (the “Final Net Working Capital”) is greater than the Net Working Capital Target, minus (vii) the amount, if any, by which the Final Net Working Capital is less than the Net Working Capital Target. Upon the determination of the Final Closing Amount:

(i) If the Final Closing Amount is less than the Estimated Closing Amount (such amount, a “Negative Adjustment Amount”), then an amount equal to the absolute value of the Negative Adjustment Amount (in an amount not to exceed the Adjustment Escrow Amount) shall be disbursed from the Adjustment Escrow Fund to Buyer.

(ii) If the Final Closing Amount is greater than the Estimated Closing Amount, Buyer shall pay to Seller an aggregate amount equal to such difference.

Upon the determination of the Final Closing Amount, Buyer and Seller shall deliver a joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent instructing it to distribute all of the funds in the Adjustment Escrow Fund as follows: (A) to Buyer, the amount, if any, payable to Buyer under Section 2.4(e)(i), and (B) to Seller, the aggregate amount, if any, equal to all of the funds in the Adjustment Escrow Fund minus the amount, if any, payable to Buyer under Section 2.4(e)(i). The Adjustment Escrow Fund shall be the sole and exclusive source of recovery by Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company) of the amount of any Negative Adjustment Amount.

2.5 Withholding. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Buyer and the Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement any withholding Taxes or other amounts required under any applicable Tax Law to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment. To the extent that any

 

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such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the applicable Governmental Authority, such amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. Any payments under this Agreement to Service Providers that are treated as compensation or wages for Tax purposes shall be made through the Company’s payroll system. Buyer shall provide written advance notice to Seller of any anticipated deduction and withholding in respect of any payment of the Purchase Price to Seller so that Seller may provide any form or certification that may reduce any such deduction and withholding.

ARTICLE 3

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO SELLER AND THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in a corresponding section or subsection of the Disclosure Schedules to this Agreement delivered by Seller to Buyer concurrently herewith, as a material inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Seller hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

3.1 Authorization; Organization; Good Standing.

(a) Seller and the Company have all requisite power and authority to execute, deliver and perform their respective obligations under this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which they are a party. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which Seller or the Company is a party (as applicable), the performance by Seller or the Company of their respective obligations hereunder and thereunder and the consummation by Seller or the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized. This Agreement has been, and the Transaction Documents to which Seller and the Company are a party (as applicable) will be, duly executed and delivered by Seller and the Company and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of Seller and the Company, enforceable against them in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the availability of equitable remedies. Seller and the Company are each duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of their respective formation, which jurisdiction is listed on Schedule 3.1, and have all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate their respective assets, properties and business and to carry on their respective business as now being conducted.

(b) The Company is duly qualified or otherwise authorized as a foreign entity to transact business in each jurisdiction listed on Schedule 3.1, which are all of the jurisdictions in which the nature of such the Company’s business or assets requires the Company to so qualify, except such other jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or authorized would not be material. Complete and correct copies of the charter documents, bylaws or similar organizational documents of the Company and all amendments thereto have been provided to Buyer.

 

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3.2 Capitalization; Formation.

(a) Seller is a charitable nonprofit corporation and has not issued (and is not authorized to issue) any Equity Securities. Schedule 3.2(a) sets forth all of the authorized Equity Securities of the Company and a complete and correct list of the issued and outstanding Equity Securities of the Company, including the name of the record and beneficial owner thereof and the number of Equity Securities held thereby. All of the outstanding Equity Securities of the Company have been validly issued and, if applicable, are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(a), the Company does not have any outstanding Equity Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(a), Seller and the Company do not own or otherwise hold, directly or indirectly, any Equity Security in any Person. The Company is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its Equity Securities. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.2(b), there are no voting agreements, voting trusts or other agreements, commitments or understandings with respect to the voting or transfer of Equity Securities of the Company. All of the outstanding Equity Securities of each of Seller’s Subsidiaries are owned by Seller or another Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens.

(b) Seller has the sole voting power and sole power of disposition with respect to all of the Membership Interests held by Seller with no limitations, qualifications or restrictions on such rights and powers. The Membership Interests owned by Seller will be transferred to Buyer pursuant to this Agreement, free and clear of any Liens, other than Permitted Liens. Seller is not subject to any agreements, arrangements, options, warrants, calls, rights, commitments or other restrictions relating to the sale, transfer, purchase, redemption or voting of its Membership Interests.

(c) The Company has not violated any applicable federal or state securities Laws in any material respect in connection with the offer, sale or issuance of any of its Equity Securities. No Equity Securities of the Company are subject to, or have been issued in violation of, preemptive or similar rights.

(d) The Company was formed on June 25, 2021 and is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Seller. The Company has not conducted any business prior to the date of this Agreement and will not have conducted any business prior to the Contribution other than the Company Conversion or as otherwise contemplated hereunder. The Company has no, and prior to the Contribution will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the Contribution).

(e) Except as disclosed on Schedule 3.2(e), the Company has no Indebtedness or any obligations with respect to Seller Transaction Expenses.

3.3 Consents and Approvals. Except for (i) such consents, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, clearances, waiting period expirations or terminations, notices and filings as may be required under the HSR Act, (ii) the 8A Notice to be provided to the Massachusetts Attorney General, the approval of the Massachusetts Attorney General related to the 8A Notice, and, if required in the view of Massachusetts Attorney General, approval of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, related to the 8A Notice,

 

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and (iii) as set forth on Schedule 3.3, no consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration, application to or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority is required to be made or obtained by Seller or the Company in connection with the authorization, execution, delivery and performance by Seller and the Company of this Agreement or any Transaction Document, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

3.4 No Violation. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.4, the execution, delivery and performance by Seller and the Company of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:

(a) result in the breach of any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under or an event which would give rise to any right of notice, modification, acceleration, payment, cancellation or termination under, or in any manner release any party thereto from any obligation under, or otherwise affect any rights of the Seller or the Company under, any Contract, in each case, except as would not be material;

(b) violate or conflict with any Law;

(c) violate any provision of the charter documents, bylaws or similar organizational documents of Seller or the Company; or

(d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any Membership Interests or the Contributed Assets.

3.5 Brokers or Finders. Except with respect to The Klein Group, LLC, whose fees and expenses shall constitute a Seller Transaction Expense, none of Seller or the Company or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or agents, as applicable, has retained any broker or finder, or agreed to pay or made any statement or representation to any Person that would entitle such Person to, any broker’s, finder’s or similar fees or commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As of the Closing, there shall be no Seller Transaction Expenses other than as set forth on the Estimated Closing Schedule.

3.6 Financial Statements and Financial Data.

(a) Attached as Exhibit G are copies of the following financial statements of Seller (collectively, the “Financial Statements”):

(i) the audited consolidated balance sheets of Seller as of June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2020 and the related audited statements of activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the fiscal years then ended;

(ii) the unaudited, management provided, consolidated balance sheets of Seller as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 and the related statements of activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for each of the years then ended and considered interim financial statements; and

(iii) the unaudited, management provided, consolidated balance sheet of Seller as of May 31, 2021 (the “Balance Sheet” and such date, the “Balance Sheet Date”), and activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for the five (5) month period then ended and considered interim financial statements.

 

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The Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (with revenue recognized pursuant to ASC 605) consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, except that the interim Financial Statements are subject to normal year-end adjustments and cut-off procedures (which will not be material individually or in the aggregate) and lack footnotes required by GAAP, (ii) present fairly the assets, liabilities and financial condition of Seller as of such dates and the results of operations and cash flows of Seller for such periods, and (iii) are correct and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with the books and records of Seller (which books and records are correct and complete in all material respects). Since the Reference Date, Seller has not made any material changes in its accounting policies, methods, principles or practices other than as set forth on Schedule 3.6(a).

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6(b), Seller maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Seller has not, in the last five (5) years, identified or been made aware of (x) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting utilized by Seller, (y) any illegal act or Fraud, whether or not material, that involves the management of Seller or (z) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

(c) All notes and accounts receivable of Seller are reflected properly on its books and records, are valid receivables subject to no setoffs or counterclaims, and are current and collectible subject to the reserve for bad debts set forth on the Balance Sheet as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of Seller. The accounts payable and accruals of Seller have arisen in bona fide arm’s-length transactions in the ordinary course of business, and Seller has been paying its accounts payable as and when due.

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6(d), Seller has not applied for, or directly or indirectly accepted or received, any benefit (monetary or otherwise), loan, payment, funding, credit, relief or deferral under any of the CARES Act, the Families First Corona Virus Response Act, the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act or any similar Law enacted or promulgated in response to or in connection with the novel coronavirus or any evolution of such virus (including any resulting COVID-19 sickness).

(e) As of the Closing Date, the Updated Financial Statements (including the notes thereto) (i) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (and in accordance with ASC 606) consistently applied throughout the periods covered thereby, (ii) present fairly the assets, liabilities and financial condition of the Company as of such dates and the results of operations and cash flows of the Company for such periods, and (iii) are correct and complete in all material respects, and are consistent with the books and records of the Company (which books and records are correct and complete in all material respects).

 

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3.7 Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities. Seller does not have any Liabilities, except (a) as and to the extent specifically accrued for or reserved against in the Balance Sheet; (b) Liabilities which have arisen after the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (none of which results from, arises out of, relates to, is in the nature of, or was caused by any breach of contract, breach of warranty, tort, infringement or violation of Law); (c) executory obligations under a Contract (other than liabilities relating to any breach, or any fact or circumstance that, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in a breach, thereof by Seller); and (d) Liabilities specifically set forth on Schedule 3.6(a).

3.8 Absence of Changes or Events.

(a) Since December 31, 2020 (the “Reference Date”), no Material Adverse Effect has occurred.

(b) Except as disclosed in the applicable subsection of Schedule 3.8(b) or as contemplated by this Agreement, since the Reference Date (i) Seller has conducted its business only in the ordinary course consistent with past practice, (ii) Seller has not suffered any material loss, damage, destruction or other casualty affecting any of its properties or assets, whether or not covered by insurance, and (iii) Seller has not taken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would constitute a breach of any of the covenants set forth in Section 5.1.

3.9 Assets.

(a) At the Closing, the Company will own good and marketable title to, or a valid right to use, all of the Contributed Assets, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Other than as set forth on Schedule 3.9, the Contributed Assets are sufficient to enable the business of the Company to be conducted immediately after the Closing in the same manner as the business of Seller has been conducted since the Reference Date in all material respects.

(b) All material items of tangible personal property owned or leased by Seller are in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are suitable for the purposes for which they are presently being used. None of the personal or movable property constituting Contributed Assets is located anywhere other than at the Real Property.

3.10 Proprietary Rights.

(a) Schedule 3.10(a) contains a true, complete and accurate description and list of all (i) patented or registered Intellectual Property owned or held by Seller, (ii) pending patent applications and applications for other registrations of Intellectual Property owned or held by Seller, (iii) any material unregistered Trademark, and (iv) all Internet domain names registered by or on behalf of Seller (indicating for each of (i) and (ii) the applicable jurisdiction, registration number (if registered), application number, date issued (if issued) and dated filed).

(b) Schedule 3.10(b)(i) contains a true, complete and accurate list of all Contracts pursuant to which Intellectual Property is licensed to Seller (excluding generally commercially available software programs licensed to Seller in object code or provided as software service for internal use pursuant to standard agreements with a replacement cost and/or annual license fee of less than $50,000) (collectively, “Inbound Licenses”). Schedule 3.10(b)(ii) contains a true, complete and accurate list of all Contracts pursuant to which Intellectual Property is licensed by Seller to any Person other than Seller (excluding (i) Contracts for granting of non-

 

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exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business on Seller’s standard agreement the form of which (or an analogous agreement on substantially similar terms) has been provided to the Buyer) or (ii) Contracts with any vendor that contains a limited, non-exclusive license to use Seller’s trademarks to identify Seller as a customer and/or use Seller’s content or data solely in connection with providing services to Seller) (collectively, “Outbound Licenses”). Except for the Contracts set forth on Schedule 3.4, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents will not, as a result of any Contract to which Seller is a party, (i) impair any rights of Seller under, or cause Seller to be in violation of or default under, any Contract under which it has the right to use or otherwise commercialize or exploit in any way any Intellectual Property of any Person, (ii) give rise to any termination or modification of, or entitle any other party to terminate or modify, any such Contract, or (iii) require the payment of (or increase the amount of) any royalties, fees, or other consideration with respect to Seller’s use or exploitation of any Intellectual Property of any Person.

(c) Seller exclusively owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by Seller (the “Seller Owned Intellectual Property”), free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Seller owns or has the right under, and immediately after the Closing, the Company will own or have the right under, a valid and enforceable license to use and otherwise commercialize or exploit, all Intellectual Property necessary for or used or otherwise commercialized or exploited in the operation of Seller’s businesses (collectively, the “Seller Intellectual Property”). The Intellectual Property transferred by Seller to the Company as part of the Contribution Agreement and the Intellectual Property licensed by Seller to the Company under the Platform Software Code License Agreement constitute all Intellectual Property owned by Seller immediately prior to the Closing, other than the Retained Intellectual Property (as defined in the Contribution Agreement). None of the Intellectual Property that is registered, filed, granted or issued under the authority of any Governmental Authority (“Registered IP”) and included in the Seller Owned Intellectual Property (“Registered Company IP”) is invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part. No loss or expiration of any of the Registered Company IP is pending, reasonably foreseeable or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, except for patents expiring at the end of their statutory term. Seller has taken all action necessary or reasonably advisable, performed all customary or prudent acts, recorded or filed all documents and paid all fees required or reasonably advisable to protect and maintain in full force and effect the Registered Company IP. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) Seller has to the extent possible filed all affidavits or other documents regarding its registered Trademarks that are reasonably required to render such Trademarks incontestable or otherwise enhance the scope or strength thereof and (ii) all assignments of any Registered IP to Seller or any predecessor-in-interest thereof have been timely and properly recorded with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, or other appropriate agency to the extent required or reasonably advisable. Each Service Provider of Seller has executed a valid and enforceable written agreement assigning to Seller ownership of all rights in any Intellectual Property developed by such Service Provider, solely or jointly with others, in the course and scope of his or her employment or engagement by Seller.

(d) As of the date of this Agreement, except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(d), (i) there have been no claims made or threatened in writing against Seller asserting the invalidity, misuse or unenforceability of any Seller Intellectual Property or challenging Seller’s ownership of Seller Owned Intellectual Property or right to use, commercialize or exploit any other Seller

 

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Intellectual Property, in either case free and clear of Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (ii) Seller has not received any written notices of, any direct, vicarious, indirect, contributory or other infringement, violation or misappropriation by Seller of any Intellectual Property (including any cease-and-desist letters or demands or offers to license any Intellectual Property from any other Person), (iii) the conduct of Seller’s business as previously conducted has not infringed, misappropriated or violated, and as presently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate or violate, any Intellectual Property of any other Person, whether directly, vicariously, indirectly, contributorily or otherwise, and (iv) to the Knowledge of Seller, no Seller Intellectual Property has been infringed, misappropriated or violated by any other Person.

(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10(e), Seller does not use or distribute any Software that is subject to an “open source”, “copyleft” or other similar type of license, including any license that is approved by the Open Source Initiative, in a manner that would or could (i) require the disclosure of (or grant any person the right to receive) any source code, (ii) impose limitations on the right of Seller to require payment of license or other fees in connection with the distribution of Software constituting Seller Owned Intellectual Property, (iii) grant, or require Seller to grant, the right to decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer or otherwise derive the source code or underlying structure of any Seller Owned Intellectual Property, (iv) create obligations for Seller with respect to Seller Owned Intellectual Property or grant any rights or immunities under Seller Owned Intellectual Property or (v) impose any other material limitation, restriction or condition on Seller’s right to use, hold for use, license, host, distribute or otherwise make available or dispose of any Seller Owned Intellectual Property.

(f) Schedule 3.10(f) sets forth a true, complete and accurate, in all material respects, list of all Contracts granting the Company a license to any Intellectual Property of any third party (including any open source code) incorporated into or necessary for the operation of the Company Software (as defined below), including (i) for each item of third party proprietary software, the name and a brief description of the Company usage, priority and business theme and an indication of whether the item is included in Platform-Open Software, Platform-Closed Software, or Business-Closed Software, (ii) for each item of open source software, the name, the applicable open source license, the uniform resource locator from which the Company obtained such item, and an indication of whether the item is included in Platform-Open Software, Platform-Closed Software, or Business-Closed Software, and (iii) for each item of proprietary third party software, a copy of the payment agreement for such item (if applicable). No Platform-Open Software, Platform-Closed Software, or Business-Closed Software (collectively, “Company Software”) contains any bug, defect, or error that materially and adversely affects the use, material functionality, or material performance of such Company Software.

(g) The computer, information technology and communication systems, including the Software, hardware and networks (including any virtual private networks), and all programs, data, information and databases that are available or thereon or Processed thereby (collectively, the “Systems”), currently used or owned by Seller are sufficient for the current needs of the businesses of Seller, including as to capacity and ability to process current peak volumes in a timely manner. The Systems are sufficient to allow for all of the Service Providers who work, or at any time during the past twelve (12) months have worked, from remote locations to do so without any material disruption to or interruption of Seller’s businesses. In the past twelve (12) months, there have been no bugs in, or failures, breakdowns, or continued substandard

 

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performance of, or viruses, Trojan horses, backdoors, and other potentially harmful program codes that are designed to disrupt the operation of or to provide unauthorized access to any Systems that has caused any material disruption, intrusion, or interruption in or to the use of such Systems by Seller or the conduct of their businesses, and there have been no material slowdowns in the Systems or the use thereof as a result of work performed from any remote locations. Seller uses commercially reasonable tools and processes designed to screen for and prevent the introduction of, and mitigate the impact of the foregoing.

3.11 Contracts.

(a) With respect to Seller, and excluding in all respects all Excluded Assets, Schedule 3.11(a) contains a true, complete and accurate list (by reference to the applicable subsection hereof) as of the date of this Agreement of:

(i) each Contract that requires Seller to pay, or entitles Seller to receive, or could result in obligations of Seller in the amount of, in the aggregate, $300,000 or more during any 12 month period, except for any Contract with a Top Vendor, Top Customer or Institution;

(ii) each Contract that restricts Seller from competing with or engaging in any business activity anywhere in the world or soliciting for employment or engagement or employing or engaging any Person;

(iii) each Contract to acquire or dispose (by merger, purchase or sale of assets or stock or otherwise) of any business or material assets, as to which Seller has continuing material obligations or material rights;

(iv) each Contract concerning a joint venture, strategic alliance, collaboration or partnership agreements, in each case that are not made in the ordinary course of business, or the sharing of profits;

(v) each Contract whereby Seller leases, subleases, licenses, or otherwise holds any rights to use or occupy any interest in real property (the “Real Property Leases”);

(vi) each Contract with respect to Indebtedness or any Seller Transaction Expense;

(vii) each Contract with any Governmental Authority;

(viii) each Contract that contains “most-favored nation” pricing or similar pricing terms or provisions regarding minimum volumes, volume discounts, or rebates;

(ix) each Contract with a labor union or labor organization or other employee representative;

 

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(x) each Contract with respect to bonus or other incentive compensation, deferred compensation, equity purchase or award, salary continuation, pension, profit sharing or retirement plan, or any other Employee Benefit Plan or arrangement;

(xi) each Contract with any current Service Provider as well as each Contract with any firm or other organization providing commission or sales-based services to Seller;

(xii) each Contract with a Related Party;

(xiii) each Contract that grants any Person other than Seller any rights of first refusal, rights of first negotiation or similar rights;

(xiv) each Contract with a Top Vendor, Top Customer or Top Institution;

(xv) each Inbound License, the Contracts listed in Schedule 3.10(f) except for open source licenses, and each Outbound License; and

(xvi) each Contract with any Person providing any sales, marketing, business generation, brokering, referral or related services to Seller.

True, complete and accurate copies of the Contracts listed or required to be listed on Schedule 3.11(a), Schedule 3.10(b)(i) or Schedule 3.10(b)(ii), together with all amendments and modifications thereto, have previously been provided to Buyer, or, to the extent any of such Contracts are oral, Schedule 3.11(a) contains a description of the material terms thereof. Each such Contract is in full force and effect, is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms except as such enforceability may be subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium and similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity, and is not subject to any claims, charges, set-offs or defenses.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(b), Seller is not in material breach or default, nor has any event occurred which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute a material breach or default by Seller of, or which would give rise to any right of notice, modification, acceleration, payment, cancellation or termination of or by another party under, or in any manner release any party thereto from any obligation under, any Contract. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.11(b), to the Knowledge of Seller, no other party is in breach or default, and no event has occurred which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would constitute a breach or default by any other party, or which would give rise to any right of notice, modification, acceleration, payment, cancellation or termination of or by Seller under, or in any manner release any party thereto from any obligation under, any Contract. Since the Reference Date, Seller has not received any notice regarding any actual or alleged material violation or breach of, or default under any Contract. The Seller has not received any written notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge that, a counterparty to any Contract is terminating, not renewing, modifying, repudiating or rescinding, or intends to terminate, not renew, modify, repudiate or rescind such Contract.

 

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3.12 Litigation.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(a), there are no Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against (i) Seller or (ii) to the extent material and related to Seller, any Service Provider (in their capacity as Service Providers of Seller).

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.12(b), there are no Proceedings pending or threatened by Seller.

(c) For any Proceedings identified on Schedule 3.12(a) or 3.12(b), (i) Seller has provided to the Buyer true, complete and accurate copies of all pleadings and material correspondence relating to each such Proceeding, (ii) no such Proceeding would reasonably be expected to result in Seller incurring aggregate Losses with respect thereto of more than $100,000, and (iii) Seller will have paid before the Closing, all fees and expenses of counsel and other representatives of Seller incurred on or before the Closing Date in connection with such Proceeding.

(d) Schedule 3.12(d) sets forth a complete and correct list and description of all Proceedings against or by (i) Seller or (ii) to the extent related to Seller, any Service Provider, in each case, that has been resolved in the past five years.

(e) Schedule 3.12(e) sets forth any Order to which Seller is, or has at any time during the past five years been, subject.

3.13 Compliance with Applicable Laws. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.13, Seller is and has been in compliance with all Laws in all material respects in connection with the conduct, ownership, use, occupancy or operation of its business and the Contributed Assets, and Seller has not received notice during the past five (5) years of any actual or alleged material violation of any Law.

3.14 Permits. Seller holds and has held, and immediately following the Closing the Company will hold, all Permits necessary for the conduct, ownership, use, occupancy or operation of its business or the Contributed Assets, or as otherwise required by any Law. All such Permits are valid and in full force and effect. Seller is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all such Permits, and Seller has not received notice during the past five (5) years of any actual or alleged material violation of any Permit. No revocation, suspension, cancellation or other adverse modification of any such Permit is pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened. All such Permits are identified on Schedule 3.14 and complete and correct copies thereof have been provided to Buyer.

3.15 Health, Safety and Environment.

(a) Seller is, and for the past five (5) years has been, in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements.

 

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(b) Seller holds, and complies in all material respects with, all Permits required under applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements, and no Proceeding is pending, or to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, to revoke, modify, or terminate any such Permit. Seller has not received notice of any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental and Safety Requirements (or any Permits required under Environmental and Safety Requirements) with respect to Seller, any Real Property, any real property formerly owned, leased, or used by Seller, or any property to which Seller has, at any time, transported, treated, stored or disposed of Hazardous Material, which, in each case, was either received within the past five (5) years or the subject of which remains unresolved.

(c) There are no Hazardous Materials present in, at, under, about or migrating to or from, any (i) Real Property, (ii) real property formerly owned, leased, or used by Seller, or (iii) property to which Seller, has, at any time, transported, treated, stored or disposed of Hazardous Material, in each case, that has or would reasonably be expected to give rise to, result in, or serve as a basis for any material Liability of Seller under applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements.

(d) Except in compliance in all material respects with applicable Environmental and Safety Requirements (and all Permits required under Environmental and Safety Requirements), Seller has not used, manufactured, generated, stored, treated, disposed of, handled, transported, arranged for treatment or transport, or placed any Hazardous Materials on, in, at, under, or around any (i) Real Property, (ii) real property formerly owned, leased, or used by Seller.

(e) Seller has not been subject to, nor has received any written notice of, any Proceeding related to (i) the Release of Hazardous Materials or (ii) noncompliance with, Liabilities under or imposing civil or criminal penalties or injunctive relief for a violation of any Environmental and Safety Requirements (or any Permits required under Environmental and Safety Requirements).

(f) Seller does not have any material contractual indemnity obligation to any third party with respect to Environmental and Safety Requirements.

(g) To the Knowledge of Seller, no underground storage tanks or related piping are located on, under, or at any Real Property, and Seller has not removed or caused any such tank or piping to be removed, nor has there been any such removal from any Real Property or any former operating location that would reasonably be expected to give rise to, result in, or serve as a basis for any material Liability of Seller under Environmental and Safety Requirements.

(h) Seller has made available to Buyer copies of all material environmental assessment reports, health and safety audits, and reports of environmental investigations with respect to Seller or the Real Property in Seller’s possession.

3.16 Taxes.

(a) Each of the Company and Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) has timely and properly filed and been included in all income and other material Tax Returns required to be filed by it or in which it is required to be included with respect to Taxes, taking into account any extension of time to file granted to or obtained on behalf of the Company or Seller, as applicable. All such Tax Returns are accurate and complete in all material respects. Each of the Company and Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) has timely and properly paid all Taxes required to be paid by it, whether or not shown on any Tax Returns.

 

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(b) All Tax deficiencies that have been claimed, proposed, or asserted by any Governmental Authority against the Company or Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) have been fully paid or finally settled.

(c) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(c), no Tax audits or administrative or judicial Tax Proceedings are being conducted with respect to the Company or Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company). Neither the Company nor Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) has received from any Governmental Authority any (i) written notice indicating an intent to open an audit or other review with respect to Taxes, (ii) written request for information related to Tax matters, or (iii) written notice of deficiency or proposed adjustment for any amount of Tax. The Company has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency that, in either case, remains in effect.

(d) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(d), no written claim has ever been made by an authority in a jurisdiction where the Company or Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) does not file Tax Returns that the Company or Seller, as applicable, may be subject to taxation by that jurisdiction.

(e) There are no Liens on any of the Contributed Assets that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax other than Permitted Liens.

(f) The Company and Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) have timely withheld and paid all Taxes required to have been withheld and paid in connection with any amounts paid or owing to any Service Provider, equity interest holder, or other third party, and all IRS Forms W-2 and 1099 required with respect thereto have been properly completed and timely filed.

(g) The Company is not party to any Tax allocation, Tax sharing, Tax distribution, Tax indemnification or Tax gross-up Contract (other than commercial agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, the principal purpose of which is not related to Taxes).

(h) The Company (i) has not ever been a member of an Affiliated Group filing a consolidated federal Income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which is Seller), (ii) does not have any Liability for Taxes of another Person under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Income Tax Law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, by operation of Law, or otherwise, and (iii) does not own and has never owned any Equity Security or other interest in any Person.

(i) Neither Seller nor the Company has ever participated in any “reportable transaction” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4(b).

(j) The Company has not requested or received a ruling from any Governmental Authority. Seller has not requested or received a Tax ruling relating to the assets or operations of the Company from any Governmental Authority that could bind Buyer or the Company following the Closing.

 

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(k) The Company is and at all times since its formation has been properly treated as an entity disregarded as separate from Seller within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(b)(1)(ii), and no election has ever been filed with any Governmental Authority to treat the Company as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal, state or local Income Tax purposes.

(l) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.16(l), each of the Company and Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) has (i) timely and properly collected all sales, use, value-added, and similar Taxes required to be collected, and has remitted, or will remit on a timely basis, such amounts to the appropriate Governmental Authority, and (ii) timely and properly collected and maintained in all material respects all resale certificates, exemption certificates and other documentation required to qualify for any exemption from the collection of sales Taxes imposed on or due from the Company.

(m) Neither Buyer nor any of its Affiliates (including following the Closing, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company) (assuming for this purpose that the Company is a regarded entity for U.S. federal Income Tax purposes) will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any: (i) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or foreign Income Tax Law) executed by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the Closing Date; or (ii) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date by the Company. The Company does not have, and will not have after the Closing, any liability to pay Taxes that were deferred pursuant to the CARES Act.

(n) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is a “non-qualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code (a “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan”) and any award thereunder, in each case that is subject to Section 409A of the Code has been administered and drafted or amended, in such a manner so that the additional tax described in Section 409A(1)(B) of the Code will not be assessed against any individual participating in any such Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to benefits due or accruing thereunder. No Employee Benefit Plan that would have been a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan subject to Section 409A of the Code but for the effective date provisions that are applicable to Section 409A of the Code, as set forth in Section 885(d) of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, as amended (the “AJCA”), has been “materially modified” within the meaning of Section 885(d)(2)(B) of the AJCA after October 3, 2004.

(o) Each of the Company and Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) has been resident in its jurisdiction of incorporation for Tax purposes and has not, at any time, been treated as a resident of or as having a permanent establishment or other fixed place of business in any other jurisdiction. All material transactions or arrangements made by the Company or Seller (with respect to the assets or operations of the Company) with any other Person have been made on arm’s length terms, and the processes by which prices and terms have been arrived at have, in each case, been documented in substantial compliance with all applicable Laws, including Code Section 482 and any equivalent provision under any state, local, or non-U.S. Law.

 

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3.17 Insurance Policies. Schedule 3.16(o)(a) contains a true and complete list of all insurance policies to which Seller is a party or which provide coverage to or for the benefit of or with respect to Seller or any Service Provider of Seller in his or her capacity as such (the “Insurance Policies”), indicating in each case the type of coverage, name of the insured, the insurer, the expiration date of each policy and the amount of coverage. True and complete copies of all Insurance Policies have been provided to Buyer. Schedule 3.16(o)(b) contains a true and complete description of any self-insurance or co-insurance arrangements by or affecting Seller or any Service Provider of Seller in his or her capacity as such, including any reserves established thereunder. Each Insurance Policy is in full force and effect and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms immediately following the Closing, is provided by a financially solvent carrier and has not been subject to any lapse in coverage. Seller is current in all premiums or other payments due under the Insurance Policies and has otherwise complied in all material respects with all of its obligations under each Insurance Policy. Seller has given timely notice to the insurer of all material claims that may be insured thereby under any Insurance Policy. During the past five (5) years, Seller has not been refused any insurance by, nor has coverage been limited by, any insurance carrier with which Seller has carried insurance or any other insurance carrier to which Seller has applied for insurance, and no insurer has issued a reservation of rights or denial of coverage for claims or incidents which could give rise to a claim under any Insurance Policy. No Insurance Policy provides for any retrospective premium adjustment or other experience based liability on the part of Seller.

3.18 Employee Benefit Plans.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.18(a), neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate have ever maintained, sponsored, adopted, made contributions to or obligated itself to make contributions to or to pay any benefits or grant rights under or with respect to, or has any other Liability with respect to, any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA) or any other plan, program, policy, practice, arrangement or agreement providing for compensation or benefits of any kind to any individual (each an “Employee Benefit Plan,” and collectively, the “Employee Benefit Plans”). No Employee Benefit Plan that provides severance benefits is subject to ERISA. No Employee Benefit Plan is subject to Laws outside the United States.

(b) Neither Seller nor any ERISA Affiliate has at any time participated in or made contributions to or has had any other Liability or potential Liability with respect to a plan which is or was (i) a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3), (ii) a “multiple employer plan” within the meaning of ERISA Section 4063 or 4064 or Code Section 413(c), (iii) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(40) (or other plan, program, arrangement or trust providing for or funding the welfare of any of the employees or former employees or beneficiaries thereof of Seller), or (iv) a plan subject to Section 302 or Title IV of ERISA or Code Section 412.

 

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(c) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified or may rely on an opinion letter issued by the IRS with respect to a prototype plan adopted in accordance with the requirements for such reliance, and, to the Knowledge of Seller, nothing has occurred between the date of such determination or opinion and the date hereof that would cause such determination or opinion letter to become unreliable.

(d) Each Employee Benefit Plan has been and is operated and funded in such a manner as to qualify, where appropriate, for both federal and state purposes, for Income Tax exclusions to its participants, Tax-exempt income for its funding vehicle, and the allowance of deductions and credits with respect to contributions thereto.

(e) There are no Proceedings or claims pending or threatened with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, or the assets thereof (other than routine claims for benefits), and, to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no facts which could give rise to any Liability, Proceeding or claim against any Employee Benefit Plan, any fiduciary or plan administrator or other person dealing with any Employee Benefit Plan or the assets thereof.

(f) No Employee Benefit Plan is under audit or investigation by, or is the subject of a Proceeding with respect to, any Governmental Authority, including the IRS, the Department of Labor or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

(g) Each of the Employee Benefit Plans and all related trusts, insurance contracts and funds have been established, documented, maintained, funded and administered in compliance with their terms and the terms of any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code, and all other applicable Laws. With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, all required payments, premiums, contributions, distributions or reimbursements for all periods ending prior to or as of the date hereof have been timely made or properly accrued on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP.

(h) Neither the Company, Seller nor any other “disqualified person” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) nor any “party in interest” (within the meaning of Section 3(14) of ERISA) has engaged in any nonexempt “prohibited transaction” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) or any other act or omission with respect to any of the Employee Benefit Plans which could subject any such Employee Benefit Plans, Seller or any Service Provider to any Liability or any penalty or tax under Sections 409, 502(c), 502(i), 502(l) or 4971 of ERISA or Chapter 43 of the Code.

(i) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is subject to the health care continuation requirements of Part 6 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code (collectively, “COBRA”), HIPAA and/or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, has been administered in compliance with such requirements in all material respects. No Employee Benefit Plan provides post-termination medical or life or other welfare benefits other than as required pursuant to COBRA.

 

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(j) With respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, Seller has provided Buyer the most recent true, complete and correct copies of (to the extent applicable): (i) all documents pursuant to which the Employee Benefit Plan is maintained, funded and administered (including the plan and trust documents, any amendments thereto, the summary plan descriptions, any summaries of material modifications and any insurance contracts or service provider agreements and any amendments thereto); (ii) the most recent annual reports, actuarial reports and/or financial report; (iii) the most recent determination letter, if any, received from the IRS; (iv) any material communication to or from any Governmental Authority or to or from any Employee Benefit Plan participant, including a written description of any oral communication; and (v) any comparable documents with respect to Employee Benefit Plans subject to any foreign Laws that are required to be prepared and filed under the applicable Laws of such foreign jurisdiction.

(k) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any Transaction Document nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will (either alone or in conjunction with any event) (i) increase any benefits otherwise payable under any Employee Benefit Plan, (ii) result in any acceleration of the time of funding, payment or vesting of any such benefits, or (iii) result in any “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code).

3.19 Employees; Labor Relations. Seller has provided to Buyer a list of each employee and independent contractor that was seconded to, or employed by, Seller, including the name, title, total compensation (including bonuses) for such Person for the year ended as of the Reference Date and the name of the entity that employed such Person. Schedule 3.19(a) sets forth, in each case, for the period of January 1, 2021 until the date hereof, (i) any termination by Seller, layoff, furlough, implementation of job sharing, change in hours worked or compensation (other than increases or bonuses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice) or other change of employment status or terms with respect to any Seller employee, and (ii) a list of all Seller employees working from home or a location other than a facility or location of Seller and whether such Service Provider worked primarily at a facility or location of Seller prior to January 1, 2021. Schedule 3.19(b) sets forth a list of all Service Providers currently on any leave or paid time off (other than vacations taken in the ordinary course of business). No current Service Provider has given notice of his or her intent to terminate his or her employment or service and no notice of termination has been given to any Service Provider by Seller. No Service Provider of Seller is party to any Contract that materially restricts the Service Provider’s performance of duties or otherwise materially interferes with the conduct of the business of Seller. There have not been any “employment losses” within the meaning of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended (the “WARN Act”) within the past ninety (90) days. Seller is not a party to or obligated with respect to any collective bargaining agreements or Contracts with any labor union or other representative of employees or any employee benefits provided for by any such Contract, and no employees of Seller are represented by a labor union, works council or other employee representative body with respect to his or her employment with Seller. No strike, lockout, slowdown, work stoppage, concerted refusal to work overtime, picketing, unfair labor practice, grievance or union organizational activity or other similar occurrence (whether or not resolved) has occurred at any time during the period of the past five (5) years until the date hereof or is pending or threatened against Seller or the business of Seller. Seller is not nor has been a party to or otherwise bound by any citation, decree or Order by any Governmental Authority relating to Service Providers or employment practices, and there are no Governmental Authority conciliation agreements, noncompliance findings or audits pending or in effect with respect to Service Providers or employment practices of Seller or the business of Seller. Seller is and for the period of the past three (3) years until the date hereof has been in material compliance with all

 

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applicable Laws relating to the employment of labor, including wages, hours, overtime, discrimination, equal opportunity, collective bargaining, harassment, immigration, disability, affirmative action, leaves of absence, privacy, rest periods, meal breaks, workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, occupational health and safety and the collection and payment of withholding and/or social contribution Taxes and similar Taxes, plant closings, mass layoffs and relocations. Seller has not received notice of any allegation, and to Seller’s Knowledge, no Person has alleged, that Seller or any Service Provider has engaged in sexual harassment. Seller has timely paid in full to each Service Provider or, if not past due, adequately accrued on the Financial Statements in accordance with GAAP all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due to or on behalf of such Service Providers. There are no Liabilities of Seller relating to workers’ compensation benefits that are not fully insured against by a bona fide third-party insurance carrier. Seller has for the period of the past three (3) years until the date hereof properly classified in accordance with all applicable Laws all of their Service Providers as either employees or independent contractors and as exempt or non-exempt from overtime requirements and have each made all appropriate filings in connection with services provided by, and compensation paid to, such Service Providers. No Service Provider has refused to work or provide services because of, or made any complaint or claim with respect to, any unsafe conditions in the workplace.

3.20 Transactions with Related Parties. No Related Party has any direct or indirect interest in (a) any material customer or vendor of Seller or (b) any assets or property used by Seller (including any Intellectual Property). Schedule 3.20(a) sets forth the parties to and the date, nature and amount of each Related Party Transaction since the Reference Date (other than salary or other compensation or benefits under Employee Benefit Plans paid or payable in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice to employees in consideration for bona fide services performed by such employees). Except as set forth on Schedule 3.20(b), from and after the Closing Date, the Company shall have no obligation to engage in any Related Party Transaction and shall not be bound by any Contract or arrangement with respect to any Related Party Transaction.

3.21 Real Property.

(a) Seller does not own, nor has it ever owned, any real property.

(b) Schedule 3.21(b) sets forth a complete list, including an address of each leasehold or subleasehold estate or other right to use or occupy any interest in real property held by Seller (“Leased Real Property” or “Real Property”) and the Real Property Leases (including all amendments, guaranties and other agreements with respect thereto). With respect to each Leased Real Property, (i) Seller possession and quiet enjoyment under the applicable Real Property Lease has not been disturbed, (ii) Seller has not subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any person the right to use or occupy any Leased Real Property or any portion thereof and (iii) there are no special, general or other assessments pending against Seller or affecting any Leased Real Property that would be payable by the lessee thereof.

 

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(c) The Real Property comprises all of the real property that is used in the businesses of Seller. All buildings, structures, improvements, fixtures, building systems (including HVAC, electrical, plumbing and sewer systems) and equipment, and all components thereof, included in the Leased Real Property (collectively, “Improvements”) are in good condition and repair and are sufficient for the operation of the businesses of Seller as currently conducted and intended to be conducted thereon. There are no structural deficiencies or latent defects affecting any of the Improvements, and there are no facts or conditions affecting any of the Improvements which would, individually or in the aggregate, interfere in any material respect with the use or occupancy of the Improvements or any portion thereof in the operation of the business conducted thereon. Seller has not received any notice from any insurance company or board of fire underwriters of any defects or inadequacies that could adversely affect the insurability of any Real Property or requesting the performance of any material work or alteration with respect to any Real Property. To Seller’s Knowledge, there is no pending or threatened condemnation, expropriation or other governmental taking of any part or interest in any Real Property. To Seller’s Knowledge, the current and intended use and occupancy of the Real Property and the operation of Seller’s business as currently conducted and intended to be conducted thereon do not violate any applicable zoning law, easement, covenant, condition, restriction or similar provision in any instrument of record affecting the Real Property. To Seller’s Knowledge, no fact or condition exists that could result in the termination or impairment of presently available access from adjoining public or private streets or ways or in the discontinuation of presently available sewer, water, electric, gas, telephone or other utilities or services for any Real Property.

3.22 Vendors; Customers; Institutions.

(a) Schedule 3.22(a) contains a complete and correct list of (i) the twenty (20) largest vendors to Seller (excluding any Institutions and utilities) by the aggregate dollar value of purchases by Seller during the twelve month period ended April 30, 2021 (each a “Top Vendor”) and (ii) with respect to each Top Vendor such aggregate dollar value of purchases. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(a), since January 1, 2021, no Top Vendor has terminated or adversely modified the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Vendor conducts with Seller. The Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have Knowledge, that any Top Vendor will or could reasonably be expected to terminate or adversely modify, and there are no facts or circumstances that are likely to result in any Top Vendor terminating or adversely modifying, the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Vendor conducts with Seller. There is no material dispute pending with any Top Vendor, and Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge, of a reasonable basis for any such dispute. Since the Reference Date, Seller has not experienced any shortages of supplies and Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge, of any current or potential shortage of supplies.

(b) Schedule 3.22(b) contains a complete and correct list of (i) the twenty (20) largest customers (consolidating into a single customer all affiliated customers) of Seller by the aggregate dollar value of sales by Seller during the twelve month period ended April 30, 2021 (each a “Top Customer”) and (ii) with respect to each Top Customer, the aggregate dollar value of such sales. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(b), since January 1, 2021, no Top Customer has terminated or adversely modified the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Customer conducts with Seller. The Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge, that any such Top Customer will or could reasonably be expected to terminate or adversely modify, and there are no facts or circumstances that are likely to result in any Top Customer terminating or adversely modifying, the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Customer conducts with Seller. There is no material dispute pending with any Top Customer, and Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge, of a reasonable basis for any such dispute.

 

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(c) Schedule 3.22(c) contains a complete and correct list of (i) the Institutions offering Master’s degree programs on Seller’s website, (ii) the twenty (20) largest Institutions to Seller by the aggregate non-tuition revenue recorded by Seller attributable to such Institution’s course offerings on Seller’s website during the twelve month period ended May 31, 2021 ((i) and (ii), collectively, “Top Institutions”) and (ii) with respect to each Top Institution under Section 3.22(c)(ii), such aggregate non-tuition revenue. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.22(c), since January 1, 2021, no Top Institution has terminated or adversely modified the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Institution conducts with Seller. Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have Knowledge, that any Top Institution will or could reasonably be expected to terminate or adversely modify, and there are no facts or circumstances that are likely to result in any Top Institution terminating or adversely modifying, the amount, pricing, frequency or terms of the business such Top Institution conducts with Seller. There is no material dispute pending with any Top Institution, and Seller has not received any notice, nor does Seller have any Knowledge, of a reasonable basis for any such dispute.

3.23 Bank Accounts. Schedule 3.23 is a complete and correct list of each bank or financial institution in which Seller has an account, safe deposit box or lockbox, or maintains a banking, custodial, trading or similar relationship, the number of each such account or box, and the names of all persons authorized to draw thereon or having signatory power or access thereto.

3.24 Trade Names; Business Locations. Schedule 3.24 sets forth all fictitious, doing business as or trade names that Seller has been known as or used and all locations, offices or places of business Seller has used, in each case, in the past five (5) years. Seller is not the surviving corporation of a merger or consolidation.

3.25 Products. All products manufactured, sold or delivered by Seller have been in conformity with all applicable warranties, and Seller does not have any Liability for replacement thereof or other damages in connection therewith in excess of any warranty reserve established with respect thereto on the Balance Sheet as adjusted for the passage of time through the Closing Date in accordance with the past custom and practice of Seller. No products manufactured, sold or delivered by Seller are subject to any guaranty, warranty or other indemnity beyond the applicable standard terms and conditions of sale with respect thereto which, in each case, have been provided to Buyer. Seller has not received any written notice of any claims for, and to Seller’s Knowledge there is no reasonable basis for, any extraordinary product recalls, returns, warranty obligations or service calls relating to any of its products or services. Seller does not have and has not had any Liability arising out of any injury to individuals or property as a result of the ownership, possession or use of any products manufactured, sold or delivered by Seller or with respect to any services rendered by Seller.

3.26 Privacy and Information Security. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.26, Seller is and has been in material compliance with (a) all Privacy and Information Security Requirements, (b) its then-effective external privacy policies and notices and (c) all applicable requirements in Contracts relating to the Processing of Personal Data. Neither Seller, nor, to Seller’s Knowledge,

 

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any other Person, has received any notice, allegation, complaint or other communication and there is no pending investigation by any Governmental Authority or payment card association regarding any actual or possible violation of any Privacy and Information Security Requirement by Seller. In the past three (3) years, the Seller has not suffered a material security breach with respect to any of the Seller Data and there has been no material unauthorized or illegal use of or access to any Seller Data. Seller has not notified, nor has been required to notify, any Person of any information security breach involving Personal Data. Seller employs and has employed commercially reasonable security measures that comply with all Privacy and Information Security Requirements to protect Seller Data within its custody or control and requires the same of all vendors that Process Seller Data on its behalf. Seller exclusively owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to all Seller Data to the extent permitted by applicable Law, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens. Seller possesses the right to determine the purposes of processing all Company Data that is Personal Data for the purposes disclosed in then-effective external privacy policies and notices, except to the extent Seller acts as a school official on behalf of member institutions for purposes of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Seller has provided all requisite notices and obtained all required consents, and satisfied all other requirements (including to notify Governmental Authorities) necessary for Seller’s Processing (including international and onward transfer) of all Personal Data in connection with the conduct of the business of Seller and in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

3.27 Anticorruption; Improper Payments. Seller has not, and to the Knowledge of Seller, none of Seller’s officers, directors, agents, managers, employees or any other Person authorized to act on behalf of Seller has, directly or indirectly, taken any act that would cause Seller to be in violation of Improper Payment Laws, including any act in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, authorization, or ratification of payment, directly or indirectly, of any money or anything of value (including any gift, sample, rebate, travel, meal and lodging expense, entertainment, service, equipment, debt forgiveness, donation, grant or other thing of value, however characterized) to any Government Official or any Person to secure any improper advantage or to obtain or retain business. Seller complies, and has at all times complied in all material respects, with all applicable Improper Payment Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) Seller has not violated or is in violation in any material respect of the U.S. Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. Section 1302a-7(b)), the Federal False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. Sections 3729, et seq.) or any related or similar Law and (b) there has been no use or authorization of money or anything of value relating to any unlawful payment or secret or unrecorded fund or any false or fictitious entries made in the books and records of Seller relating to the same. Neither Seller, nor any of its Affiliates or Persons acting on its behalf has received any notice or communication from any Person that alleges, nor been involved in any internal investigation involving any allegations relating to potential violation of any Improper Payment Laws or other applicable Law, nor have received a request for information from any Governmental Authority regarding Improper Payment Laws. Seller maintains, and has maintained, compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable Improper Payment Laws.

 

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3.28 International Trade Laws. Seller is, and at all times, has conducted its business in accordance with all applicable International Trade Laws in all material respects. Without limiting the foregoing:

(a) Seller has obtained, and is in compliance with, all import and export licenses, license exceptions and other consents, notices, waivers, approvals, orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations, classifications and filings with any Governmental Authority required for (i) the export and re-export of products, services, software and technologies and (ii) releases of technologies and Software to foreign nationals located in the United States and abroad (“Export Approvals”);

(b) there are no pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened claims against Seller with respect to such Export Approvals;

(c) to the Knowledge of Seller, there are no actions, conditions or circumstances pertaining to Seller’s import or export transactions that may give rise to any future claims;

(d) no Export Approvals with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby are required;

(e) Seller is not a party to any Contract or bid, and has not conducted any transactions (directly or, to the Knowledge of Seller, indirectly), with any Sanctions Target or in any Sanctioned Jurisdiction, in each case in violation of International Trade Laws;

(f) Neither Seller, nor its directors, officers, employees or agents is a Sanctions Target;

(g) Seller has not received written notice to the effect that a Governmental Authority claimed or alleged that Seller was not in compliance in a material respect with any applicable International Trade Laws; and

(h) Seller has not made any voluntary disclosures to, or has been subject to any fines, penalties or sanctions from, any Governmental Authority regarding International Trade Laws.

3.29 Government Contracts.

(a) None of the Government Contracts are subject to any pending, or to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened Proceedings, including any bid or award protest proceedings.

(b) Seller is, and has been, in material compliance with all terms and conditions, including all clauses, provisions, requirements, and specifications of the Government Contracts. The representations, certifications and warranties made by Seller with respect to the Government Contracts were accurate and complied with Law as of their effective date, and Seller has materially complied with all such certifications.

(c) Seller has not received any written notice of termination for convenience, notice of termination for default, stop work order, material cure notice or material show cause notice pertaining to any Government Contract. Seller has not received any notice from any written Governmental Authority pertaining to the Government Contracts indicating that it intends to cancel or otherwise adversely modify its relationship with Seller.

 

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(d) Neither Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any Service Provider of Seller has been or is suspended, debarred or, to the Knowledge of Seller, proposed for suspension or debarment from government contracting. Seller and each Service Provider who performs an acquisition function have no personal or organizational conflict of interest, as defined in FAR 9.507-1 or 9.507-2, or in each instance has disclosed such conflict and has received a waiver from the affected Government Authority.

(e) Except as set forth on Schedule 3.29(e), none of the Government Contracts was awarded on the basis of Seller’s status as (1) a Small Business (as defined in the regulations of the U.S. Small Business Administration at 13 C.F.R. Part 121); (2) a Small Disadvantaged Business (as defined in the regulations of the U.S. Small Business Administration at 13 C.F.R. Part 124); or (3) a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business or a Veteran-Owned Small Business (as defined in the regulations of the U.S. Small Business Administration at 13 C.F.R. Part 125).

3.30 Education Regulatory Matters.

(a) During the last three (3) years, Seller has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws related to the provision of educational programs and services to the extent applicable to Seller’s activities, including, without limitation, those applicable Laws (i) as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Education in published guidance, concerning the compensation of employees or agents engaged in student recruiting, including requirements applicable to U.S. students under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “HEA”), as set forth at 20 U.S.C. § 1094(a)(20) and implemented at 34 C.F.R. § 668.14(b)(22), (ii) as interpreted by the U.S. Department of Education in published guidance, regarding requirements related to the payment of any commission, bonus, or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV Program funds, as set forth at 20 U.S.C. § 1094(a)(20) and implemented at 34 C.F.R. § 668.14(b)(22), and the payment terms of Seller’s contracts with each Institution comply with such requirements in all material respects; (iii) related to all applicable student financial assistance programs, including the HEA, veterans and military education benefits and state administered student financial assistance programs; and (iv) relating to institutional loans and third party private education loans or the servicing or purchase of income share agreements.

(b) During the last three (3) years, Seller has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws regarding consumer marketing and student recruiting, including the rules and regulations of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and applicable state Laws. During the period of the last three (3) years, where required by applicable Law, Seller has only used marketing materials approved by its Institutions and has not misrepresented any material fact about Seller or its educational programs to any of its customers or prospective or enrolled students.

(c) During the last three (3) years, Seller has complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws concerning the accessibility of its platform to persons with disabilities.

 

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(d) To Seller’s Knowledge, Seller is not required to possess any Education Agency licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations to conduct its business, taken as a whole. For purposes hereof, “Educational Agency”). means any entity or organization, whether governmental, government-chartered, private, or quasi- private, including without limitation any accrediting agency and body, and whether foreign or domestic, that grants or withholds educational approvals or authorizations or otherwise regulates the operation of postsecondary education and educational institutions.

(e) To Seller’s Knowledge, each Institution that is contracted with Seller for services related to such Institution’s programs possesses all Education Agency licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations necessary to conduct the programs it offers under such agreement.

3.31 No Additional Representations.

(a) Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article 3, and the certificates contemplated by Section 7.2(f)(ii), neither Seller, nor the Company, nor their respective Affiliates or statutory members, nor any other Person, makes or shall be deemed to make any representations or warranties to Buyer, express or implied, at law or in equity, by or on behalf of Seller or the Company, and each of Seller and the Company hereby expressly disclaims any such representations or warranties.

(b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, none of the Seller, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates or statutory members, or any of their respective representatives, employees, officers, trustees, directors, managers, partners or direct or indirect equityholders, has made, and shall not be deemed to have made, any representations or warranties in any materials relating to the business of Seller and the Company made available to Buyer, including without limitation, due diligence materials provided to the Buyer, in any management presentations, or in any projections, estimates, data, financial information, or budgets provided by Seller, and no statement contained in any of such materials shall be deemed a representation or warranty hereunder or deemed to be relied upon by Buyer or any of its Affiliates or representatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.31 shall not limit Buyer’s rights pursuant to Article 10 or otherwise with respect to a claim for Fraud.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

As a material inducement to Seller to enter into this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer hereby represents and warrants to Seller as follows:

4.1 Buyer Organization. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets, properties and business and to carry on its business as now being conducted.

4.2 Authorization. Buyer has full right, power, capacity and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to be executed and delivered thereby, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to comply with the terms, conditions and provisions hereof and thereof. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer have been duly,

 

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validly and properly authorized by all requisite corporate action in accordance with applicable Law and with the organizational documents of Buyer. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby by Buyer do not require, and are not conditional upon or subject to, the approval by the stockholders of Buyer under applicable Law, corporate governance requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market or the organizational documents of Buyer. This Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents to which Buyer is a party have been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors rights generally, and general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in Law or equity).

4.3 Consents and Approvals. No consent, approval, order or authorization of, or registration, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority or other Person is required to be made or obtained by Buyer in connection with the authorization, execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, or the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

4.4 No Violation. The execution, delivery and performance by Buyer of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which it is a party and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:

(a) violate or conflict with any Law; or

(b) violate any provision of the organizational documents of Buyer.

4.5 No Brokers or Finders. None of Buyer or any Affiliate thereof has retained any broker or finder, made any statement or representation to any Person that would entitle such Person to, or agreed to pay, any broker’s, finder’s or similar fees or commissions in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

4.6 Litigation. There are no Proceedings pending or, to Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against or affecting Buyer that seek to restrain or prohibit or to obtain damages or other relief in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

4.7 Investment Intent.

(a) Buyer is acquiring the Membership Interests for its own account and not with a view to distribution within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(b) Buyer 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 the Membership Interests. Buyer is capable of bearing the economic risks of such investment, including a complete loss of its investment.

 

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(c) Buyer acknowledges that the Membership Interests are “restricted securities” that have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or any applicable state securities Law.

4.8 Sufficient Funding. Buyer has executed a definitive agreement to provide Buyer with sufficient acquisition financing on the date hereof to be funded within 1 Business Day of the date hereof, and shall have acquisition financing on the Closing Date that is sufficient to pay the aggregate consideration payable by Buyer on the Closing Date pursuant to Section 2.3 and all costs and expenses required to be paid by Buyer at the Closing.

4.9 Non-Reliance. Buyer is an informed and sophisticated Person, and has engaged expert advisors experienced in the evaluation and acquisition of companies such as Seller as is customary for transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement. Buyer has conducted a due diligence investigation of Seller as is customary for transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement. Buyer acknowledges and agrees that it is relying exclusively on the representations set forth in Article 3 of this Agreement and on its own examination and investigation of Seller and Seller and expressly disclaims reliance upon any Person with respect to the performance of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, or any representations or warranty (other than those set forth in Article 3) made (or alleged to have been made) in, in connection with, or as an inducement to this Agreement, any other Transaction Document, or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.9 shall not limit Buyer’s rights pursuant to Article 9 or otherwise with respect to a claim for Fraud.

ARTICLE 5

PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS

5.1 Conduct of Business of Company Prior to the Closing. During the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the Closing, or (ii) the date this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms (such period, the “Pre-Closing Period”), except as (i) expressly contemplated, required or permitted by this Agreement (including any actions or elections undertaken in connection with the Company Conversion) or any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) required by applicable Law, (iii) to the extent action is commercially reasonably taken (or commercially reasonably omitted) in response to COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Measures, provided that such action (or omission) is generally consistent with industry practice (in the industries in which Seller operates) and Seller’s actions taken (or omitted) prior to the date hereof in response to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Measures, (iv) consented to in writing by Buyer in its sole discretion (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) or (v) set forth on Schedule 5.1, Seller agrees that:

(a) Seller shall (i) operate its business only in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to (A) preserve substantially intact its business organization and assets, (B) keep available the services of its current executives, (C) preserve the current relationships of Seller with customers, vendors and other Persons with which Seller has significant business relations, (D) keep and maintain their assets and properties in good repair and normal operating condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (iii) pay all Indebtedness, Taxes and other obligations when due, and (iv) comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws related to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Measures.

 

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(b) Seller shall not, except for in connection with the Company Conversion, as set forth in the Contribution Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated therein:

(i) amend or otherwise change the certificate of incorporation or bylaws or equivalent organizational documents of Seller or alter through merger, liquidation, reorganization, restructuring or in any other fashion the corporate structure or ownership of Seller, or create or form any Subsidiary;

(ii) issue, grant, sell, transfer, deliver, pledge, promise, dispose of or encumber, or alter or modify the rights or obligations of any of the Equity Securities of Seller;

(iii) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of the Equity Securities of Seller;

(iv) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (other than distributions in cash prior to the Calculation Time) in respect of any of any of the Equity Securities of Seller;

(v) effect any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split or like change in the capitalization of Seller;

(vi) sell, transfer, deliver, lease, license, sublicense, mortgage, pledge, encumber, impair or otherwise dispose of (in whole or in part), or create, incur, suffer to exist, assume or cause to be subjected to any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on, any of the Contributed Assets, rights or properties of Seller (including any Intellectual Property or accounts receivable), except for sales of inventory of Seller or licenses of Intellectual Property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(vii) (A) acquire (by merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock or assets or otherwise) or organize any Person, joint venture or any business organization or division thereof, (B) acquire any rights, assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (C) acquire any Equity Securities of any Person;

(viii) (A) incur, forgive, guarantee or modify any Indebtedness (other than draws under lines of credit or loan agreements existing on the date hereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) enter into any off-balance sheet financing arrangement, (C) make any loans or advances, except to Seller employees for expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or (D) enter into any other financial commitments other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(ix) make any capital expenditures or enter into any Contract to make capital expenditures outside of the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

 

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(x) (A) increase the compensation, or fringe benefits, of any Service Provider (except for increases in salary for non-executive employees with an annualized salary of less than $50,000 or salary increases in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), (B) except as pursuant to the plans set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(x), hire or offer to hire any new Service Providers, (C) terminate or encourage any Service Provider to resign from Seller (except for in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice with respect to “at-will” employees who can be terminated at any time for any reason without any monetary or other obligations on the part of Seller), (D) grant any severance or termination pay (in cash or otherwise) to any current or former Service Provider, except pursuant to any Contract or Employee Benefit Plan in effect on the date hereof in connection with the termination of any such Service Provider or increase severance or termination pay, (E) establish, adopt, enter into, amend in any material respect or terminate (or grant any waiver or consent under) any Employee Benefit Plan, except for any amendments required by ERISA or the Code or other applicable Law, or (F) grant any equity or equity-based awards or stock-based rights or accelerate the vesting schedule of any such awards or rights (except as required by the terms of such agreements outstanding on the date of this Agreement);

(xi) enter into or amend any Contract or other agreement or understanding with a labor union or labor organization or other employee representative;

(xii) except as required by GAAP, change any accounting policies, procedures, methods or practices (including with respect to reserves, revenue recognition, inventory control, prepayment of expenses, timing for payments of accounts payable and collection of accounts receivable);

(xiii) except in the ordinary course of business, enter into, modify, amend, extend or supplement in any material respect, transfer or terminate or fail to renew any Contract listed (or that if entered into prior to the date hereof would be a Contract required to be listed) on Schedule 3.11 or waive, release or assign any rights or claims thereto or thereunder;

(xiv) other than as required by applicable Law or any Governmental Authority of applicable jurisdiction (A) make or change any Tax election (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any entity classification election) or change any method of tax accounting, (B) settle or compromise any Tax Liability, (C) file any amended Tax return, (D) enter into any closing agreement relating to any Tax, (E) agree to an extension of a statute of limitations with respect to any Tax liability, or (F) surrender any right to claim a Tax refund;

(xv) except as set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(xv), pay, discharge, satisfy, settle or otherwise compromise any Proceeding or waive, assign or release any material rights or claims;

(xvi) commence a lawsuit other than (A) (1) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and (2) in such cases where it in good faith determines that failure to commence suit would result in the material impairment of a valuable aspect of its business or result in a loss of rights of substantial value, provided that it consults with Buyer prior to the filing of such a lawsuit, (B) in connection with the enforcement of any Trademarks, or (C) for a breach of this Agreement or any Transaction Document;

 

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(xvii) other than as permitted under Section 5.1(b)(x), engage in, enter into or modify or amend any agreement, Contract, transaction or other arrangement with, directly or indirectly, any Related Party, other than modifications or amendments to any agreement, contract, transaction or other arrangement with one or more of Seller’s statutory members in the ordinary course consistent with past practice (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Contracts set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(xxiv)(A); provided, however, Seller will give Buyer five (5) Business Days’ notice prior to the effective date of any such amendment or modification;

(xviii) terminate, amend or fail to renew or preserve any material Permit;

(xix) terminate, amend, fail to renew or preserve, or permit to lapse or enter the public domain, any material Registered Company IP, except for amendments to Registered Company IP completed in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(xx) permit the lapse of any existing insurance policy relating to the business or the Contributed Assets;

(xxi) make any material changes in Seller’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ practices and policies relating to manufacturing, purchasing, inventory management, marketing, selling or pricing;

(xxii) participate in activity of the type sometimes referred to as “trade loading” or “channel stuffing” or any other activity that reasonably would be expected to result in an increase, temporary or otherwise, in the demand for the products or services offered by Seller, including sales of a product or service (A) with payment terms longer than terms customarily offered by Seller for such product or service, (B) at a greater discount from listed prices than customarily offered for such product or service, (C) at a price that does not give effect to any general increase in the list price for such product or service publicly announced prior to the Closing Date, (D) with shipment or delivery terms more favorable to the customer than shipment or delivery terms customarily offered by Seller for such product or service, (E) in a quantity greater than the reasonable resale requirement of the particular customer, or (F) in conjunction with other material benefits to the customer not previously offered in the ordinary course of business to such customer;

(xxiii) commence any proceeding for any voluntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Seller, including initiating any bankruptcy proceedings on its behalf;

(xxiv) rescind, terminate, amend or otherwise modify any of the Contracts set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(xxiv)(A); except for those modifications as set forth on Schedule 5.1(b)(xxiv)(B); or

(xxv) authorize any of the foregoing, enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing, or agree or enter into any Contract to do any of the foregoing.

 

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5.2 Conduct of Business of Buyer Prior to the Closing. During the Pre-Closing Period, except as (i) expressly contemplated, required or permitted by this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents, (ii) required by applicable Law, (iii) to the extent action is commercially reasonably taken (or commercially reasonably omitted) in response to COVID-19 or the COVID-19 Measures, provided that such action (or omission) is generally consistent with industry practice (in the industries in which the Buyer operates) and is generally consistent with Buyer’s actions taken (or omitted) prior to the date hereof in response to COVID-19 and the COVID-19 Measures, (iv) consented to in writing by Seller in its sole discretion or (v) set forth on Schedule 5.2, Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

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

(b) take any action or inaction which would reasonably be expected to prevent or conflict with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents; or

(c) authorize, agree or otherwise commit to do or take any of the foregoing actions.

5.3 Access. During the Pre-Closing Period:

(a) Except to the extent prohibited by applicable Law, Seller shall provide, and cause its Service Providers, attorneys, accountants and other agents to provide, to Buyer and its accounting, legal and other representatives and potential lenders, as well as their respective officers, employees, affiliates and other agents, access during normal business hours, upon reasonable notice, to Seller’s facilities and personnel and to business, financial, legal, tax, compensation and other data and information concerning Seller’s affairs and operations as Buyer deems reasonably necessary or advisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller shall not be required to provide access to any information to the extent that it reasonably believes that it may not provide to Buyer by reason of contractual confidentiality undertakings with a third party in effect as of the date of this Agreement; provided, however, that Seller shall advise Buyer that Seller is withholding such information and shall use its reasonable best efforts to promptly communicate to Buyer or its applicable representatives the substance of any such materials, whether by redacting parts of such materials or otherwise, so that disclosure would not violate such confidentiality obligations.

(b) Upon Buyer’s request, Buyer and its officers, directors, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors and other agents shall be provided with reasonable access to Seller’s suppliers, distributors, agents, consultants and any third party who may interact with a Governmental Authority on Seller’s behalf, provided that such access shall require the consent of Seller (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and Seller shall be entitled to participate in any discussions.

 

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(c) Seller shall deliver to Buyer, no later than twelve (12) Business Days after the end of such month, unaudited statements of the financial position of Seller as of the last day of such calendar month and statements of income and changes in financial position of Seller for the calendar month then ended. Such interim statements shall in all material respects (A) be consistent with, and prepared from, the books and records of Seller, (B) fairly present the financial condition and results of operations and cash flows of Seller as of the dates and for the periods indicated therein and (C) have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting Principles, except for (1) normal year-end audit adjustments (2) the omission of notes and schedules required by GAAP, and (3) adoption of ASC 606, once adopted by Seller.

(d) The Parties acknowledge that the information being provided to Buyer or its officers, directors, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors and other agents in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and each of the Transaction Documents is subject to the terms of that certain confidentiality agreement between Buyer and Seller, dated as of October 26, 2020 (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and shall survive the Closing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective and conditioned upon the Closing, the confidentiality obligations of Buyer under the Confidentiality Agreement shall terminate solely with respect to the Contributed Assets and the Excluded Assets licensed to the Buyer and for the avoidance of doubt, all other confidentiality obligations of the Buyer under the Confidentiality Agreement shall remain in full force and shall survive the Closing..

5.4 Exclusivity. During the Pre-Closing Period, neither Seller nor the Company shall (and Seller and the Company shall cause their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors, and other agents not to), directly or indirectly: (a) solicit, initiate or encourage (including by way of furnishing any information relating to Seller), induce or take any other action which would reasonably be expected to lead to the making, submission or announcement of, any proposal or inquiry that constitutes, or would reasonably be likely to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (b) other than informing Persons of the provisions contained in this Section 5.4, enter into, continue or participate in any discussions or any negotiations regarding any Acquisition Proposal or otherwise take any action to facilitate or induce any effort or attempt to make or implement an Acquisition Proposal; (c) approve, endorse, recommend or enter into any Acquisition Proposal or any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or Contract contemplating an Acquisition Proposal or requiring the Company or Seller to abandon or terminate its obligations under this Agreement; or (d) agree, resolve or commit to do any of the foregoing. Seller and the Company agree to notify Buyer promptly if any Person makes any proposal, offer, inquiry or contact with respect to an Acquisition Proposal and provide Buyer with a description of the material terms and conditions thereof, including the identity of such Person. Seller and the Company shall immediately cease and cause to be terminated any existing discussions with any Person (other than Buyer) concerning any proposal relating to an Acquisition Proposal. With respect to the Persons with whom discussions or negotiations have been terminated, Seller and the Company shall use their respective reasonable efforts to obtain the return or destruction of, in accordance with the terms of any applicable confidentiality agreement, any confidential information previously furnished to any such Person by Seller, the Company or any of their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors or other agents. Seller shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, release any Person from, or waive any provision of, any confidentiality or standstill agreement with respect to an Acquisition Proposal to which Seller or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, without the prior written consent of Buyer.

 

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5.5 Efforts to Close; Consents and Filings.

(a) Each Party shall, and Seller shall cause the Company to, use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents as promptly as practicable, including to (i) obtain from Governmental Authorities and other Persons all consents, approvals, authorizations, qualifications and Orders as are necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and (ii) promptly, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days, make an appropriate filing of a Notification and Report Form pursuant to the HSR Act and any other filings and submissions that may be required under any other applicable Antitrust Law. Buyer shall pay for all filing fees under the HSR Act and any other applicable Antitrust Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party shall, and Seller shall cause the Company to, use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to obtain approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session. Seller shall pay for all filing and similar fees associated with the 8A Notice and obtaining the approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office.

(b) Seller shall, or shall cause the Company to, give promptly such notice to third parties and use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain such third party consents and estoppel certificates as Buyer may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents.

(c) In respect of all matters related to the HSR Act and any other filings and submissions that may be required under any other applicable Antitrust Law, and excluding all matters associated with obtaining approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, unless prohibited by applicable Law or by the applicable Governmental Authority, each of Buyer, the Company, and Seller shall (i) to the extent reasonably practicable, not participate in or attend any meeting, or engage in any conversation (other than ministerial conversations) with any Governmental Authority in respect of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents without the other, (ii) to the extent reasonably practicable, give the other reasonable prior notice of any such meeting or conversation and (iii) in the event one such party is prohibited by applicable Law or Order or by the applicable Governmental Authority from participating or attending any such meeting or engaging in any such conversation, keep such non-participating Party reasonably apprised with respect thereto.

(d) In respect of all matters related to the HSR Act and any other filings and submissions that may be required under any other applicable Antitrust Law and including all matters associated with obtaining approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, and excluding in all respects the Covenants, unless prohibited by applicable Law or by the applicable Governmental Authority, Buyer shall not be required to take or agree to undertake any action, including entering into any consent decree, hold separate order or other arrangement, that would (i) require the divestiture of any assets of Buyer, the Company, or any of their respective Affiliates, (ii) limit, or with respect to obtaining approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office and the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, materially limit, Buyer’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to consolidate and control, the Company or any of its assets or businesses or any of Buyer’s or its Affiliates’ other assets or businesses, or (iii) limit Buyer’s ability to acquire or hold, or exercise full rights of ownership with respect to, the Membership Interests.

 

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(e) Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to, acquire or agree to acquire by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing a substantial portion of the assets of or equity in, or by any other manner, any Person or portion thereof, or otherwise acquire or agree to acquire any assets, if the entering into of a definitive agreement relating to or the consummation of such acquisition, merger or consolidation would reasonably be expected to (i) impose any material delay in the obtaining of, or increase the risk of not obtaining, any authorizations, consents, orders, declarations or approvals of any Governmental Authority necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period, (ii) materially increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an Order prohibiting the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

5.6 Directors and Officers Indemnification Insurance.

(a) Before the Closing, Seller shall purchase a six-year prepaid “tail policy” for directors’ and officers’, fiduciary and employment practices liability insurance, on terms and subject to conditions reasonably acceptable to Buyer, with respect to matters arising on or before the Closing Date (the “Tail Policies”). Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to maintain such policy in full force and effect for the full term of such policy. For the avoidance of doubt, “commercially reasonable efforts” for purposes of the immediately preceding sentence shall in no event include the payment by Buyer or the Company of any premium or other amounts.

(b) Buyer and the Company agree that all rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation by the Company now existing in favor of each Person who is now, or has been at any time prior to the date hereof or who becomes prior to the Closing an officer, director, member, or manager of the Company as provided in the Company’s organizational documents, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, shall survive the Closing and Buyer will not, and will not permit the Company to adversely amend, repeal or modify any provision of such organizational documents (unless required by Law) without the consent of such affected individuals, for at least six (6) years following the Closing Date.

(c) This Section 5.6 shall survive the Closing, is intended to benefit the Company and the indemnified Persons pursuant to this Section 5.6, shall be binding on all successors and assigns of the Company and shall be enforceable by the Persons entitled to indemnification, advancement of expenses, or exculpation pursuant to this Section 5.6 who shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Section 5.6 and each of whom may enforce the provisions of this Section 5.6.

 

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5.7 Related Party Transactions. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.7, all intercompany and intracompany accounts or Contracts between the Company, on the one hand, and Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company), on the other hand, shall be terminated and cancelled without any consideration or further Liability to any party and without the need for any further documentation, immediately prior to the Closing; provided, however, that Buyer may, it is sole discretion, require Seller and/or any of its Affiliates to provide prior to Closing evidence of any such termination and cancellation and release of all Liability in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer (the “Related Party Transaction Terminations”).

5.8 Conversion. Prior to the Closing, Seller may elect, in its sole discretion, to convert the Company from a Delaware limited liability company to a public benefit limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, whether by merger, statutory conversion or by such other form of transaction as may be available under applicable Law (the “Company Conversion”), and the Buyer hereby agrees to cooperate with, and provide reasonable assistance to, the Seller in connection with effectuating the Company Conversion.

ARTICLE 6

OTHER COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

6.1 Agreements Regarding Tax Matters.

(a) Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns.

(i) For the avoidance of doubt, Seller shall timely prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed, at Seller’s expense, all Tax Returns on which the Company’s income is required to be reported on a pass-through basis for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and that are first due after the Closing Date (each a “Seller Return”). Buyer shall prepare or cause to be prepared and file or cause to be filed all Tax Returns of the Company for any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date or Straddle Period other than Seller Returns (each a “Buyer Return”), and Buyer shall permit Seller to review and comment on each such Buyer Return prior to filing. Buyer shall incorporate all reasonable comments provided by Seller to the extent such comments could reasonably be expected to impact the Final Closing Amount. Seller shall pay to Buyer an amount equal to any Seller Taxes due with any Buyer Return at least ten (10) days before the date on which Buyer or the Company would be required to pay such Taxes.

(b) Allocation of Tax Liability. For all purposes under this Agreement, in the case of any Tax for any Straddle Period, the portion of such Tax which relates to the portion of such Straddle Period ending on the end of the Closing Date shall (x) in the case of any Taxes other than Taxes based upon or related to income, payroll, sales or receipts, be deemed to be the amount of such Tax for the entire Straddle Period multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days in such Straddle Period ending on the end of the Closing Date and the denominator of which is the number of days in the entire Straddle Period, and (y) in the case of any Tax based upon or related to income, payroll, sales or receipts be deemed equal to the amount which would be payable if such Straddle Period ended on the end of the Closing Date.

 

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(c) Cooperation on Tax Matters. Buyer, the Company and Seller shall cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other party (and at the expense of the requesting party), in connection with the filing of Tax Returns of the Company and any audit, litigation or other proceeding with respect to Taxes of the Company. 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. For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall not be entitled to review Seller Returns.

(d) Tax Sharing Agreements. Seller shall cause all Tax sharing, distribution, or indemnification agreements providing for the sharing of Tax liabilities to which the Company, on one hand, and Seller or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company), on the other hand, is a party to be terminated as of as of 12:01 a.m. Central time on the Closing Date and the Company to not be bound thereby or have any Liability thereunder with respect to any taxable period.

(e) Transfer Taxes, Etc. All transfer, documentary, sales, use, registration, stamp and other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest thereon but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Income Taxes) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (together, “Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne (i) solely by Seller in connection with the Contribution, and (ii) with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than the Contribution, fifty percent (50%) by Seller, on the one hand, and fifty percent (50%) by Buyer on the other hand when due, and Seller shall, at its own expense, file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Transfer Taxes, and if required by applicable Law, Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to (if applicable), join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation; provided that Buyer shall, at its own expense, prepare any such Tax Returns that are the primary responsibility of Buyer under applicable Law, and if required by applicable Law, Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates to (if applicable), join in the execution of any such Tax Returns. Each Party’s preparation of any Tax Returns described in this Section 6.1(e) shall be subject to the other Party’s approval, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(f) Tax Controversies. Buyer shall give prompt notice to Seller of the assertion of any claim, or the commencement of any suit, action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority with respect to any Tax liability of the Company (i) that is a Seller Tax for which Seller would be required to reimburse Buyer pursuant to Section 6.1(a) or (ii) that is a claim, suit, action or proceeding with respect to a Pre-Closing Tax Period and that would reasonably be expected to increase the Tax liability of Seller(a “Tax Claim”); provided, however, that the failure to give such prompt notice shall not affect Seller’s indemnification obligations under this Agreement except to the extent that Seller is materially prejudiced thereby. Seller shall at its own expense, defend any Tax Claim relating exclusively to income taxes of the Seller for a taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date, provided that Buyer shall have the right to participate in such Tax Claim at its own expense, and Seller shall not, without Buyer’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), agree to any settlement or compromise of such Tax Claim. For any other Tax Claim, Seller shall have the right to participate in such Tax Claim at its own expense, and neither Buyer nor the Company shall, without Seller’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), agree to any settlement or compromise of such Tax Claim. For the avoidance of doubt, Buyer shall have no rights with respect to any suit, audit or proceeding by any Governmental Authority relating to or with respect to Seller Returns, which shall be controlled in all respects by Seller. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Section 6.1(f) and Section 9.4 with respect to any Tax suit, audit, or proceeding, the provisions of this Section 6.1(f) shall control.

 

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(g) Agreed Tax Treatment. The Parties intend the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to constitute for United States federal Income Tax purposes and applicable other Income Tax purposes an acquisition by Buyer of the assets of the Company; the Parties shall report the transactions contemplated by this Agreement consistent with such treatment for all applicable Tax purposes and shall not take any Tax position inconsistent with such treatment unless otherwise required by a determination within the meaning of Code Section 1313(a).

(h) Allocation of Purchase Price. No later than 60 days following the determination of the Final Net Working Capital, Buyer shall prepare and provide to Seller a proposed allocation of the Purchase Price (along with other items of consideration for United States federal Income Tax purposes) among the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 1060 of the Code and the principles set forth in Exhibit H (as finally determined, and subject to any further amendment, in each case pursuant to this Section 6.1(h), the “Allocation”) for Seller’s review and comment. Seller shall have thirty (30) days to review the determinations set forth in the Allocation. If Seller disagrees with any determinations set forth on the Allocation, Seller shall deliver a written notice to Buyer setting forth its objections. Unless Seller delivers such notice to Buyer within the thirty (30) day review period, Seller shall be deemed to have accepted the determinations set forth in the Allocation. If Seller delivers the notice to Buyer within the thirty (30) day review period, Buyer and Seller shall, during the thirty (30) days following such delivery or any mutually agreed extension thereof, use their commercially reasonable efforts to reach agreement on the disputed determinations. Any dispute among Buyer and Seller shall be resolved by the Accountants in accordance with the dispute resolution mechanism set forth in Section 2.4(d), mutatis mutandis, provided that the resolution of the Accountants shall be limited to whether or not the Allocation was made in accordance with the principles set forth in Exhibit H. In case of any adjustment to the Purchase Price (or any other item of consideration for United States federal Income Tax purposes), requiring an amendment to the Allocation, Buyer shall amend the Allocation in accordance with the principles set forth in this Section 6.1(h) and provide such amended allocation to Seller (which, subject to the dispute resolution provisions set forth in this Section 6.1(h), shall become the Allocation). The Parties agree not to take any position, in connection with any Tax Return, audit or similar proceeding related to Taxes, that is inconsistent with this Section 6.1(h), except as otherwise required by a determination within the meaning of Code Section 1313(a).

6.2 Further Assurances.

(a) Each of the Parties agrees that subsequent to the Closing, upon the reasonable request of any other Party from time to time, it shall execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, such further instruments and take such other actions as may be necessary to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents (including cooperating with the other Parties to obtain any consent, approval or authorization necessary to preserve for the Company any rights or benefits under any lease, license, commitment or other Contract to which Seller or the Company is a party that was not obtained prior to the Closing) or to vest, perfect or confirm ownership by Buyer of the Membership Interests.

 

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(b) If, following the Closing, any right, property or asset that would constitute an Excluded Asset is found to have been transferred to Buyer or its Affiliates in error, either directly or indirectly, Buyer shall transfer, or shall cause its Affiliates to transfer, at no cost, such right, property or asset (and any related Liabilities) as soon as practicable to Seller. If, following the Closing, any right, property or asset that would constitute a Contributed Asset is found to have been retained by Seller in error, either directly or indirectly, Seller shall transfer, or shall cause its Affiliates to transfer, at no cost, such right, property or asset (and any related Liabilities) as soon as practicable to Buyer or an Affiliate indicated by Buyer in writing. Prior to any such transfer in accordance with this Section 6.2(b), Buyer and Seller, as applicable, shall hold such right, property or asset (and any related Liabilities) in trust for the use and benefit and burden of Buyer or Seller, as applicable.

(c) After the Closing, if any payments due with respect to the Contributed Assets are paid to Seller or any of its Affiliates (including any payments from any customer under any Contracts that constitute Contributed Assets), unless such payment is in respect of an Excluded Asset, Seller shall remit, or shall cause such Affiliate to remit, by wire transfer, such payment to an account indicated by Buyer in writing promptly after receipt thereof. After the Closing, if any payments due with respect to the Excluded Assets or the Excluded Liabilities (as defined in the Contribution Agreement) that are not included in the Contributed Assets are paid to Buyer or any of its Affiliates, Buyer shall remit, or shall cause such Affiliate to remit, by wire transfer, such payment to an account indicated by Seller in writing promptly after receipt thereof.

6.3 General Release.

(a) Effective upon, and conditioned upon the occurrence of, the Closing, Seller, on Seller’s own behalf and on behalf of Seller’s heirs, successors, trustees, executors, administrators, assigns and any other Person that may claim by, through or under Seller (collectively, the “Releasing Parties”), hereby (i) irrevocably waives, releases, acquits and forever discharges the Company and each of their respective present and former officers, directors, managers, employees and other agents (collectively, the “Releasees”) from, any and all Liabilities of any kind or nature whatsoever arising on or prior to the Closing and (ii) agrees that no Releasing Party will bring or voluntarily participate in or assist any Proceeding that relates to any matter released pursuant to this Section 6.3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Releasing Parties do not waive or release (i) any rights based upon, arising out of or relating to rights in favor of the Releasing Parties created pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereunder or thereunder, (ii) rights to any unpaid ordinary course employment compensation due to such Releasing Party or (iii) except as otherwise provided in Section 9.10, any rights to indemnification pursuant to the organizational documents of the Company as a result of such Releasing Party’s service to the Company.

(b) The Releasing Parties understand and agree that the releases provided in Section 6.3(a) above extend to all claims released above whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected. As to those matters released herein only, the Releasing Parties waive and relinquish any and all rights they may have under California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as follows:

 

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“A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS THAT THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY”

The Releasing Parties hereto expressly waive and release any rights and benefits which they have or may have under any similar Law or rule of any other jurisdiction pertaining to the matters released herein. It is the intention of the Releasing Parties through this Agreement and with the advice of counsel to fully, finally and forever settle and release the claims set forth above. In furtherance of such intention, the releases herein given shall be and remain in effect as full and complete releases of such matters notwithstanding the discovery of any additional claims or facts relating thereto.

6.4 Public Announcements. The initial press release announcing the execution of this Agreement shall be a joint press release to be reasonably agreed upon by Buyer and Seller, and shall not be issued before the approval of each of Buyer and Seller. No Party shall issue or cause the publication of any press release or other public announcement relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (whether before or after the Closing) without the prior written consent of Buyer and Seller (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), except as any Party believes in good faith and based on reasonable advice of counsel is required by applicable Law or by applicable rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which such Party or its Affiliates lists or trades securities (in which case the disclosing Party will use its reasonable best efforts to advise Buyer and Seller before making such disclosure). Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else to the contrary set forth herein or in the Confidentiality Agreement, effective as of the date hereof, no Party or its Affiliates shall be restricted in any way from making public announcements with respect to a Covenant Report, the Mission Covenants or the Privacy Covenants.

6.5 Mission Covenants; Privacy Covenants. For a period of five (5) years following the Closing Date, Buyer agrees to perform the actions as set forth on and in accordance with Schedule 6.5(a) (such actions set forth on Schedule 6.5(a), the “Mission Covenants”) and Schedule 6.5(b) (such actions set forth on Schedule 6.5(b), the “Privacy Covenants”, and together with the Mission Covenants, the “Covenants”) attached hereto; provided, however, nothing set forth on Schedule 6.5(a), Schedule 6.5(b), or in this Section 6.5 will restrict Buyer from taking any action (i) reasonably necessary to comply with applicable Laws or (ii) reasonably necessary to comply with any agreement of the Company as in effect at the Closing.

6.6 Monitoring Covenants.

(a) Records. Buyer shall keep and maintain reasonably detailed records concerning its compliance with each of the Covenants, which records Buyer shall keep and maintain for, at minimum, a period of five (5) years after the Closing Date.

 

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(b) Annual Reports. With respect to the Mission Covenants, Buyer shall provide to Seller annual reports (the “Covenant Reports”) every twelve (12) months for a period of five (5) years after the Closing, which shall include information reasonably necessary to enable the Seller to evaluate the history and status of Buyer’s compliance with each of the Covenants. The Covenant Report shall include qualitative information, as well as objective, quantifiable performance metrics to the extent relevant and reasonably practicable. Buyer shall deliver each Covenant Report within sixty (60) days following the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the Closing. To the extent that the Covenant Report contains Covenant Confidential Information, the parties shall reasonably agree upon the removal or redaction of such confidential or proprietary information, or other appropriate modifications to the report to address the presence of Covenant Confidential Information in a way that maintains the general substance of the report, prior to publicly releasing such Covenant Report (a “Public Covenant Report”). As promptly as practicable following agreement upon such Public Covenant Report, Buyer shall publicly post such Public Covenant Report on the 2U.com website for a period of at least 12 months. Seller shall also be entitled to publicly post such Public Covenant Report on its own website.

(c) SOC-2 Type 2 Report. Buyer shall provide to Seller its then-current SOC-2 Type 2 report for a period of five (5) years after the Closing. Buyer shall deliver each such report within sixty (60) days following completion of each such report.

(d) Annual Meetings. Buyer’s chief executive officer shall make himself available to meet with one or more representatives of Seller’s board of directors (as determined by Seller) once every twelve (12) months for a period of five (5) years after the closing (plus an extended period to accommodate the final such meeting) for the purpose of Buyer providing a detailed review of the applicable annual report, and to answer questions and receive feedback from Seller’s board regarding such compliance with the Covenants. It is expected that such meeting would take place within 30 days following the delivery of each annual report. At each such meeting, the parties shall also discuss ways to continually improve the presentation, format and general content expectations for the following year’s annual report.

(e) Notice. For a period of five (5) years after the Closing, as promptly as reasonably practicable after Buyer becomes aware of a material breach of any Covenant (each, a “Covenant Breach”), Buyer shall provide to Seller a written notice (the “Buyers Breach Notice”) setting forth: (i) a description with respect to such Covenant Breach in reasonable detail to allow Seller to evaluate such Covenant Breach, and (ii) Buyer’s proposed corrective action plan with respect to such Covenant Breach and the anticipated timeline of implementation during the Cure Period.

6.7 Use of Name.

(a) Except where required by applicable Law, Seller shall, for itself and its Affiliates, as promptly as is practicable following the Closing (but in no event more than sixty (60) days following the Closing Date), change its name and cease and discontinue all uses of the “edX Inc.” name or any variations thereof for all purposes whatsoever, except as otherwise set forth in a Transaction Document (except that such name may be referred to as a former name in any Tax or other filing required to be made with any Governmental Authority) including, on any signage on any offices or facilities of Seller.

 

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(b) Prior to the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, Buyer agrees not to change its name from “2U, Inc.” to “edX Inc.” (or similar derivation thereof).

6.8 Employment and Benefit Matters.

(a) Provision of Benefits. For the period commencing at the Closing Date and ending twelve (12) months after the Closing Date, the Buyer agrees to cause the Company to provide the employees of the Company who remain employed after the Closing Date, the employees of Seller who become employed by the Company after the Closing Date, and the non-employee service providers of the Company based in India, United Kingdom and Spain who remain in service or who commence service with the Company after the Closing Date (collectively, the “Business Employees”) with: (i) base salary, base rate of pay, hourly wages, or service provider fees which are no less than the base salary, base rate of pay, hourly wages, or service provider fees provided by the Company or Seller, as applicable, immediately prior to the Closing; (ii) target annual cash bonus opportunities, if any, which are no less than the target annual cash bonus opportunities provided by the Company or Seller, as applicable, immediately prior to the Closing; and (iii) retirement and welfare benefits that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those provided by the Company or Seller, as applicable, immediately prior to the Closing. Buyer will treat, and cause the applicable benefit plans to treat, the service of the Business Employees with the Company or Seller, as applicable, attributable to any period before the Closing Date as service rendered to Buyer or any Subsidiary of Buyer for purposes of eligibility and vesting under Buyer’s vacation program, health or welfare plan(s) maintained by Buyer, and Buyer’s 401(k) Plan, except where credit would result in duplication of benefits. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent that any Business Employee participates in any group health plan of Buyer following the Closing Date, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable measures to (A) cause any pre-existing conditions or limitations, eligibility waiting periods or required physical examinations under any group health plan of Buyer to be waived with respect to the Business Employees and their eligible dependents, to the extent waived under the corresponding plan in which the Business Employee participated immediately prior to the Closing Date, and (B) any deductibles paid by Business Employee under the Employee Benefit Plans that are group health plans, as applicable, in the plan year in which the Closing Date occurs shall be credited towards deductibles under the group health plans of Buyer or any Subsidiary of Buyer.

(b) Buyer and the Company shall not terminate any Business Employee other than for cause for a period of one (1) year after the Closing Date (the “Post-Closing Period”); provided, however, that Buyer and the Company shall be permitted to terminate any Business Employee without cause during the Post-Closing Period if Buyer or the Company, as applicable, provides such Business Employee with a severance payment equal to such Business Employee’s base salary multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is equal to the days remaining in the Post-Closing Period as of the termination date; and the denominator of which is equal to the total number of days in the Post-Closing Period.

(c) Buyer currently maintains a tax qualified retirement plan (the “Buyer 401(k) Plan”). Buyer intends to permit the Business Employees to participate in the Buyer 401(k) Plan as soon as administratively practicable following the Closing Date, and further intends to permit such Business Employees to make a direct rollover of any eligible rollover distributions from the tax qualified retirement plan maintained by Seller (the “Seller 401(k) Plan”). Seller shall provide Buyer with such records and documents as Buyer may reasonably request relating to such rollover and shall cooperate with Buyer (and cause the trustees of the Seller 401(k) Plan to cooperate with Buyer) to effectuate any rollovers to the Buyer 401(k) Plan by the Business Employees, to the extent the Business Employees elect to rollover any such assets into the Buyer 401(k) Plan.

 

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(d) Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon any Business Employee any right to continue in the employ or service of Buyer or any affiliate of Buyer, or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of Buyer, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the services of any Business Employee at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 6.8 shall (i) be deemed or construed to be an amendment or other modification of any Employee Benefit Plan, any incentive compensation plan, health and welfare benefit plan of the Buyer or Buyer 401(k) Plan, or (ii) create any third party rights in any current or former employee, director or other service provider of Buyer, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates (or any beneficiaries or dependents thereof).

6.9 Contribution. Seller and the Company: (a) except as permitted under the Contribution Agreement, will not amend, rescind, or otherwise modify the Contribution Agreement without Buyer’s express written consent (which consent may be withheld in Buyer’s sole discretion), and (b) will effect the Contribution pursuant to and in accordance with the Contribution Agreement (other than for any de mininis exceptions), which such Contribution shall become effective in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement as of immediately prior to the Closing.

6.10 Transition Services Agreement. The parties shall negotiate in good faith the terms of a transition services agreement consistent with the terms set forth on Exhibit I attached hereto (“Transition Services Agreement”) and on other customary terms, to be entered into by Buyer and Seller, or an Affiliate thereof, upon the Closing.

6.11 Non-Solicitation of Employees. Seller agree that from and after the Closing Date until the first anniversary of the Closing Date, it shall direct its internal recruiting function not to hire or solicit for employment, or request or induce any Business Employee to terminate his or her employment with the Buyer or any of its current or future Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not apply (a) to solicitations made by job opportunity advertisements or headhunter searches not targeting the Business Employees, (b) with respect to any employee who has been terminated (except to the extent set forth in clause (c) below) by the Buyer or any of its current or future Subsidiaries (or has voluntarily left his or her employment) more than six (6) months prior to such solicitation or hiring, or (c) with respect to any employee who has been terminated by the Buyer or any of its current or future Subsidiaries for non-performance reasons (or who has voluntarily left his or her employer for “good reason” or a similar concept under any such employee’s employment agreement or applicable Law) after the Closing.

 

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6.12 Conversion of Buyer Entity.

(a) At or immediately following the Closing, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action to cause the Contributed Assets to be held, or continue to be held, by a public benefit limited liability company, a public benefit corporation, or similar public interest entity organized under the laws of Delaware or another jurisdiction. As soon as reasonably practicable following the date on which Seller changes its name in accordance with Section 6.7(a), Buyer shall cause such public benefit limited liability company, public benefit corporation, or similar public interest entity holding the Contributed Assets to change its name to “edX PBC” or “edX PBLLC” as applicable, and maintain such name until at least the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date.

(b) On or prior to six (6) months following the Closing Date, Buyer shall form a committee of its Board of Directors (the “Committee”) to explore converting Buyer from a Delaware corporation to a public benefit limited liability company, a public benefit corporation, or similar public interest entity organized under the laws of Delaware or another jurisdiction, whether by merger, statutory conversion or by such other form of transaction as may be available under applicable Law (the “Buyer Conversion”). The Committee will seek input from shareholders, customers, and other stakeholders regarding such Buyer Conversion before taking any further action. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 6.12, Buyer will not be required to take any action with regard to a Buyer Conversion (i) that would be reasonably likely to cause an adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, Assets or Liabilities of Buyer, the Company or any of their Affiliates, or (ii) that the Committee deems to be not in the best interest of the Buyer and its stockholders.

6.13 Contact Lists. Buyer hereby agrees and acknowledges that after the Closing, the Seller shall have the right to retain copies of and use lists of Institution contacts that are in Seller’s possession as of the Closing; provided, however, that Seller may not disclose the lists of Institution contacts to any other Person or use such lists in any manner that would reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the business or operations of Buyer or the Company. Seller’s rights under this Section 6.13 remain subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement in all respects.

6.14 Retained Patents. Seller hereby covenants that Seller will not sue, or assert any claim against, or otherwise participate in any action or proceeding against Buyer, or its Affiliates, distributors, resellers, customers, or service providers (in each case, acting in their capacity as such), or cause any third party to do any of the foregoing, in any such case claiming or otherwise asserting that the research, development, manufacture, having manufactured, use, importation, offering for sale or sale of products or services of Buyer or its Affiliates infringes Patent No. 10,469,547 (“Retained Patent”). Seller will impose the foregoing covenant not to sue on any third party to which Seller may assign, exclusively license or otherwise transfer the Retained Patent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the covenants set forth in this Section 6.14 shall not prevent Seller from asserting the Retained Patent in any counterclaim made by Seller or its Affiliates against Buyer.

ARTICLE 7

CLOSING; CLOSING CONDITIONS

7.1 Closing. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing set forth in this Article 7 (other than those to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to their satisfaction or waiver at the Closing), the closing of the purchase and sale of the Membership Interests (the “Closing”) shall be effected by exchanging true, complete and accurate copies of executed originals via electronic mail or overnight courier service at 10:00 a.m. local time on the date that is no later than the third Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver by the Party entitled to the benefit thereof of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article 7 (other than those to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to their satisfaction or waiver at the Closing), unless the Parties agree to effect the Closing at any other place, time or date. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.”

 

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7.2 Conditions to Buyers Obligations. The obligation of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions at or prior to the Closing, any of which may be waived only in writing by Buyer in its sole discretion:

(a) Representations and Warranties.

(i) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3.1(a) (Authorization), 3.2 (Capitalization; Formation) (other than Section 3.2(e)) and 3.8(a) (No Material Adverse Effect) shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing as if made on and as of the Closing Date except for any inaccuracies that are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate.

(ii) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article 3 (other than those referenced in Section 7.2(a)(i)) shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing as if made on and as of the Closing Date (other than such representations and warranties that are made as of a specified date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date), except where the failure of any such representations and warranties to be true and correct, has not had a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Performance of Covenants. Seller and the Company shall have performed in all material respects all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement prior to or at the Closing, except for Section 5.1(b)(xxiv) and Section 6.9, which Seller and the Company, as applicable, shall have performed in all respects.

(c) Governmental Approvals. The following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(i) All applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; and

(ii) The approval of the Massachusetts Attorney General related to the 8A Notice, and, if required in the view of Massachusetts Attorney General, approval of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, related to the 8A Notice, shall have been obtained.

(d) No Orders or Proceedings. No Order or Law shall have been entered or adopted or be in effect, and no Proceeding shall be pending or overtly threatened by any Governmental Authority, that would reasonably be expected to enjoin, prevent, restrain or materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, declare unlawful any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to be rescinded following consummation.

 

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(e) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred.

(f) Deliveries by Seller and the Company. At the Closing, Seller and the Company shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to Buyer:

(i) original certificates representing all outstanding Equity Securities of the Company to the extent they are certificated, and stock powers or assignments evidencing the conveyance of the Membership Interests duly executed in blank;

(ii) a certificate executed and delivered by the Company and Seller, dated the date of the Closing, stating that the conditions specified in Sections 7.2(a) and 7.2(b), have been satisfied as of the Closing;

(iii) a certificate executed and delivered by the Secretary or comparable representative of the Company and Seller, attesting and certifying as to (A) the organizational documents of the Company or Seller, and the certificate of incorporation or comparable organizational document of the Company or Seller, and (B) copies of resolutions of the board of directors (or comparable governing body) of the Company or Seller and, if required by applicable law, the equity holders of the Company or Seller, adopting and authorizing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Transaction Documents to which the Company or Seller is a party;

(iv) a certificate of good standing for the Company and Seller issued not more than ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date by the Secretary of State or comparable Governmental Authority of its jurisdiction of organization and each other jurisdiction where the Company is qualified to do business;

(v) executed payoff letters for the Payoff Indebtedness in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Buyer, which include a per diem interest amount and an authorization to file all UCC termination statements and releases necessary to evidence satisfaction and termination of such Payoff Indebtedness and to enable the release of any Liens relating thereto upon payment of such Payoff Indebtedness, along with wire transfer instructions for each holder of such Payoff Indebtedness;

(vi) the minute book, stock ledgers and stock records or comparable records of the Company;

(vii) an IRS Form W-9, duly completed and executed by Seller;

(viii) resignations from each of the officers and directors of the Company (excluding the officers and directors of the Seller, in their capacity as such);

 

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(ix) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Seller and the Escrow Agent;

(x) Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark License Agreement, duly executed by Seller;

(xi) edX and Open edX Trademark License Agreement, duly executed by Seller and the Company;

(xii) Platform Software Code License Agreement, duly executed by Seller;

(xiii) evidence that Seller has obtained the Tail Policies;

(xiv) the independently reviewed interim balance sheets of Seller as of March 31, 2020 and 2021 and the related reviewed activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for quarter and the nine months then ended;

(xv) the quarterly unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Seller as of March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020 and the related quarterly unaudited statements of activities and changes in net assets and cash flows;

(xvi) the independently reviewed, consolidated balance sheets of Seller as of December 31, 2020 and the related statements of activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended;

(xvii) the audited consolidated balance sheets of Seller as of June 30, 2021 and the related audited statements of activities and changes in net assets and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended, if applicable (the financial statements being delivered pursuant to Section 7.2(f)(xiv) through Section 7.2(f)(xvii) collectively, the “Updated Financial Statements”); and

(xviii) the proforma adjustments required to conform Seller to a for-profit status and to comply with United States Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X for the Updated Financial Statements and the Financial Statements set forth in Section 3.6(a)(ii);

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all proceedings to be taken by Seller and the Company pursuant to Section 7.2(f)(i) through Section 7.2(f)(xiii), and all agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents required to be delivered by Seller and the Company pursuant to Section 7.2(f)(i) through Section 7.2(f)(xiii), shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Buyer.

7.3 Conditions to the Companys and Sellers Obligations. The obligation of the Company and Seller to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions at or prior to the Closing, any of which may be waived only in writing by Seller in its sole discretion:

 

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(a) Representations and Warranties.

(i) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1 (Organization), 4.2 (Authorization) and 4.8 (Sufficient Funding) shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing as if made at and as of the Closing, except for any inaccuracies that are de minimis, individually or in the aggregate.

(ii) Each of the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 (other than those referenced in Section 7.3(a)(i)) that are subject to materiality, material adverse effect or similar qualifications or exceptions shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing as if made at and as of the Closing (other than such representations and warranties that are made as of a specified date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all respects as of such date), and each of the representations and warranties contained in Article 4 (other than those referenced in Section 7.3(a)(i)) that are not subject to materiality, material adverse effect or similar qualifications or exceptions shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof and at and as of the Closing as if made at and as of the Closing (other than such representations and warranties that are made as of a specified date, which representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such date).

(b) Performance of Covenants. Buyer shall have performed in all material respects all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under this Agreement prior to or at the Closing.

(c) Governmental Approvals. The following conditions shall have been satisfied:

(i) All applicable waiting periods under the HSR Act shall have expired or been terminated; and

(ii) The approval of the Massachusetts Attorney General related to the 8A Notice, and, if required in the view of Massachusetts Attorney General, approval of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, sitting in single justice session, related to the 8A Notice, shall have been obtained.

(d) No Orders or Proceedings. No Order or Law shall have been entered or adopted or be in effect, and no Proceeding shall be pending or overtly threatened by any Governmental Authority, that could reasonably be expected to enjoin, prevent, restrain or materially delay consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, declare unlawful any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents or cause any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to be rescinded following consummation.

(e) Deliveries by Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Seller (or on behalf of Seller):

(i) wire transfer(s) in accordance with Section 2.3;

 

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(ii) a certificate executed and delivered by Buyer, dated the date of the Closing, stating that the conditions specified in Sections 7.3(a) and 7.3(b) have been satisfied as of the Closing;

(iii) the Escrow Agreement, duly executed by Buyer and the Escrow Agent;

(iv) Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark License Agreement, duly executed by the Buyer;

(v) Platform Software Code License Agreement, duly executed by the Buyer; and

(vi) copies of the R&W Insurance Policies and evidence that the R&W Insurance Policies remains bound and in effect on the Closing Date.

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all proceedings to be taken by Buyer pursuant to this Section 7.3, and all agreements, certificates, instruments and other documents required to be delivered by Buyer pursuant to this Section 7.3, shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Seller.

ARTICLE 8

TERMINATION

8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing as follows:

(a) by the mutual written consent of Buyer and Seller;

(b) by Buyer if at any time (i) any of the representations or warranties of Seller in Article 3 is or becomes untrue or inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) would not be satisfied (treating such time as if it were the Closing for purposes of this Section 8.1(b)) or (ii) there has been a breach on the part of the Company or Seller of any of their covenants or agreements contained in this Agreement such that the condition set forth in Section 7.2(b) would not be satisfied (treating such time as if it were the Closing for purposes of this Section 8.1(b)) (any such breach in clauses (i) or (ii), a “Terminating Seller Breach”), provided, however, that, if such Terminating Seller Breach is curable by the Company or Seller, Buyer may terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) only if such Terminating Seller Breach has not been cured by the Company or Seller prior to the earlier of (i) thirty (30) calendar days after receipt by the Seller of written notice from Buyer of such Terminating Seller Breach and (ii) any shorter period of time that remains between the date the Buyer delivers written notice of such breach and the Outside Date; provided, further, that Buyer shall not be entitled to terminate pursuant to this Section 8.1(b) if such inaccuracy or breach was primarily caused by the failure of Buyer to perform in any material respect any of the covenants or agreements to be performed by it prior to the Closing; and provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(b) shall not be available to Buyer if it is then in breach of any representation or warranty or any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement such that the Company or Seller has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(c).

 

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(c) by Seller if at any time (i) any of the representations or warranties of Buyer in Article 4 is or becomes untrue or inaccurate such that the condition set forth in Section 7.3(a) would not be satisfied (treating such time as if it were the Closing for purposes of this Section 8.1(c)) or (ii) there has been a breach on the part of Buyer of any of its covenants or obligations contained in this Agreement such that the condition set forth in Section 7.3(b) would not be satisfied (treating such time as if it were the Closing for purposes of this Section 8.1(c)), which breach cannot be cured by Buyer by the Outside Date or, if capable of being cured, shall not have been cured within thirty (30) calendar days after delivery of notice thereof by Seller to Buyer or any shorter period of time that remains between the date Seller delivers written notice of such breach and the Outside Date; provided that Seller shall not be entitled to terminate pursuant to this Section 8.1(c) if such inaccuracy or breach was primarily caused by the failure of the Company or Seller to perform in any material respect any of the covenants or agreements to be performed by it prior to the Closing; and provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 8.1(c) shall not be available to Seller if it is then in breach of any representation or warranty or any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement such that Buyer has the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(b).

(d) by either Buyer or Seller if the Closing has not occurred on or before the one year anniversary of the date hereof (the “Outside Date”), provided that the party seeking to terminate shall not be entitled to terminate pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) if the failure of the Closing to occur was primarily caused by the failure of Buyer (if it is seeking to terminate) or Seller or the Company (if Seller is seeking to terminate) to perform in any material respect any of the covenants or agreements to be performed by it prior to the Closing; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(d) shall not be available to any Party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in or causes the failure of any of the conditions specified in Article 7; or

(e) by either Buyer or Seller if a Law is enacted, adopted, promulgated or enforced, and such Law has become final and nonappealable, that makes consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibited or if the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby would violate any Order of any Governmental Authority having competent jurisdiction, and such Order has become final and nonappealable (any such restraint in this Section 8.1(e) a “Legal Restraint”); provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) shall not be available to any Party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement results in or causes such Legal Restraint.

In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 8.1, written notice thereof (specifying the subsection of this Section 8.1 pursuant to which such termination is being made and describing in reasonable detail the basis therefor) shall forthwith be delivered to the other parties hereto.

8.2 Effect of Termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1, this Agreement shall immediately terminate and have no further force and effect and there shall be no Liability on the part of any Party to any other Party under this Agreement, except that (a) the covenants and agreements set forth in Section 6.4, this Section 8.2 and Article 10 and all definitions herein necessary to interpret any of the foregoing provisions shall remain in full force and effect and survive such termination indefinitely and (b) nothing herein shall relieve any party from liability for any intentional and knowing breach of this Agreement prior to such termination.

 

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ARTICLE 9

INDEMNIFICATION

9.1 Survival. Except for the covenants and agreements that explicitly contemplate performance at or after the Closing, which shall survive the Closing in accordance with their terms (or until fully performed in accordance with their terms), the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties in this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents or in any other document contemplated hereby or thereby, or in any certificate delivered hereunder or thereunder, and the right of an Indemnified Party to bring an indemnification claim under this Article 9 in respect of any breach thereof, shall terminate effective immediately at the Closing or upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article 8, and there shall be no liability in respect thereof to the maximum extent permitted by Law, other than as set forth in Section 10.11. The indemnification obligations under Sections 9.2(a) and 9.3 shall continue until the date which is sixty (60) days after all applicable statutes of limitation (giving effect to any waiver, mitigation or extension thereof) bar any claims regarding a breach thereof and thereafter shall terminate. The indemnification obligations under Section 9.2(b) shall continue until the date which is one (1) year after the Closing Date and thereafter shall terminate. It is the express intent of the Parties that, if an applicable survival period as contemplated by this Section 9.1 is shorter than the statute of limitations that would otherwise apply, then, by contract, the applicable statute of limitations shall be reduced to the survival period contemplated by this Section 9.1. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if written notice of any claim for indemnification hereunder has been delivered in good faith in accordance herewith prior to the expiration of the applicable period set forth above, the indemnification obligations shall continue with respect to such claim until the final resolution and satisfaction of such claim in accordance with the provisions of this Article 9, and the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnified Party for all Losses incurred in respect of such claim (for which the Indemnified party is entitled to hereunder and subject to any applicable limitations herein), regardless of when such Losses are incurred.

9.2 Indemnification by Seller. Subject to the provisions of this Article 9, from and after the Closing, Seller agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer Indemnified Parties from and against, and pay or reimburse Buyer Indemnified Parties for, any and all Losses suffered, sustained or incurred by any Buyer Indemnified Party as a result of or arising out of:

 

  (a)

Fraud committed by Seller or the Company; and

 

  (b)

the matters identified on Schedule 9.2(b).

9.3 Indemnification by Buyer. Subject to the provisions of this Article 9, from and after the Closing, Buyer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller Indemnified Parties from and against, and pay or reimburse Seller Indemnified Parties for, any and all Losses suffered, sustained or incurred by any Seller Indemnified Party as a result of or arising out of Fraud committed by Buyer.

 

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9.4 Indemnification Procedure.

(a) In the event that any Person entitled to indemnification under this Agreement (an “Indemnified Party”) receives notice of the assertion of any claim or of the commencement of any Proceeding by any Person who is not a Party or an Affiliate of a Party (a “Third Party Claim”) against such Indemnified Party, with respect to which a Party is or may be required to provide indemnification under this Agreement (an “Indemnifying Party”), the Indemnified Party shall give written notice regarding such Third Party Claim to the Indemnifying Party within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of such Third Party Claim; provided, however, that the failure to so notify an Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent (and only to the extent) that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such notice by the Indemnified Party shall describe the Third Party Claim in reasonable detail and include reasonable supporting documentation related thereto (as applicable) and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, by giving notice to the Indemnified Party not later than thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice of such Third Party Claim, to participate in the defense of such Third Party Claim at such Indemnifying Party’s expense, and/or to assume the defense thereof (subject to the limitations set forth below) at such Indemnifying Party’s expense by appointing a nationally recognized and reputable counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party to be the lead counsel in connection with such defense.

(b) The Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with each other in all reasonable respects in connection with the defense of any Third Party Claim, shall furnish such records, information and testimony, and attend such conferences, discovery proceedings, hearings, trials and appeals, as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith. The Party controlling such Third Party Claim shall keep the non-controlling Party reasonably advised of the status of such Third Party Claim and shall consider in good faith recommendations made by the non-controlling Party with respect thereto.

(c) If the Indemnifying Party has assumed the defense of a Third Party Claim in accordance with the terms hereof, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim and to employ counsel of its choice for such purpose, and the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be borne by the Indemnified Party other than (i) any fees and expenses of such separate counsel that are incurred prior to the date the Indemnifying Party assumes control of such defense and (ii) any fees and expenses of such separate counsel if the Indemnified Party reasonably shall have concluded (upon advice of its counsel) that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such Indemnified Party that are not available to the Indemnifying Party or that the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party may have conflicting, or adverse legal positions or interests with respect to such Third Party Claim.

(d) If the Indemnifying Party shall control the defense of any Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall obtain the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party before entering into any settlement of, consenting to the entry of any judgment with respect to or ceasing to defend such Third Party Claim, unless the Indemnified Party and its Affiliates are given an express and unconditional full release of any and all Liability by all relevant parties to the claim, no injunctive, extraordinary, equitable or other relief of any kind is imposed on the Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates, and all monetary Losses payable under the settlement or consent are being paid by the Indemnifying Party.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to control the defense of a Third Party Claim (and the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to maintain or assume control of the defense of such Third Party Claim) if (i) the Third Party Claim relates to or involves any criminal or quasi criminal Proceeding, (ii) the Third Party Claim seeks an injunction or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party, (iii) the Indemnified Party reasonably believes that the Losses relating to the claim are reasonably likely to exceed the maximum amount that such Indemnified Party would then be entitled to recover under this Article 9, (iv) there exists, or would reasonably be expected to, exist a conflict of interest that would make it inappropriate for the same counsel to represent both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party, (v) the Third Party Claim involves a material customer or material supplier of the Indemnified Party with whom the Indemnified Party has a continuing business relationship, (vi) the Third Party Claim primarily involves Taxes (which shall be governed exclusively by Section 6.1(f)), or (vii) the R&W Insurer has exercised a right to defend the Third Party Claim under the R&W Policy.

(f) Any claims by an Indemnified Party on account of a Loss that is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement which does not result from a Third Party Claim (a “Direct Claim”) shall be asserted by the Indemnified Party giving the Indemnifying Party reasonably prompt written notice thereof (a “Direct Claim Notice”), but in any event not later than thirty (30) calendar days after the Indemnified Party becomes aware of such Direct Claim; provided, however, that the failure to so notify an Indemnifying Party shall not relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder except to the extent (and only to the extent) that the Indemnifying Party forfeits rights or defenses by reason of such failure. Such Direct Claim Notice shall describe the Direct Claim in reasonable detail, shall include copies of all written documents relating thereto and shall indicate the estimated amount, if reasonably practicable, of the Loss that has been or may be sustained by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnifying Party shall have thirty (30) calendar days after its receipt of such Direct Claim Notice to respond in writing to such Direct Claim. The Indemnified Party shall provide reasonable access during normal business hours to the Indemnifying Party and its professional advisors to investigate the matter or circumstance alleged to give rise to the Direct Claim, and the Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party’s investigation as the Indemnifying Party or any of its professional advisors may reasonably request. If the Indemnifying Party does not provide written notice to the Indemnified Party that it disputes such Direct Claim within thirty (30) calendar days after its receipt of such Direct Claim Notice, such Direct Claim will be conclusively deemed a Loss subject to indemnification hereunder.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, to the extent the procedures in this Section 9.4 are in conflict with the procedures in the R&W Policy with regard to matters such as notice, control, settlement or defense of claims, the procedures in the R&W Policy shall control, but this Section 9.4 shall not relieve the Indemnified Party from its obligations hereunder to give notice to the Indemnifying Party.

 

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9.5 Net Recoveries.

(a) The Parties agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain available recoveries from any third party insurer (including, with respect to Buyer, from the R&W Insurer). The amount of any Losses for which indemnification shall be available pursuant to this Article 9 shall be reduced by any insurance proceeds actually received from a third party insurer by an Indemnified Party in connection with the matter giving rise to such Losses (net of the amount of costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of recovery or collection thereof and any applicable deductibles, retentions or similar costs or payments or increased premiums) (“Net Recoveries”). If an Indemnified Party or any of its Affiliates actually receives a Net Recovery with respect to any Losses after an Indemnifying Party has actually made a payment under this Article 9 to such Indemnified Party or its Affiliates with respect to such Losses, such Indemnified Party shall promptly pay over to the Indemnifying Party that amount, if any, that such Indemnifying Party would not have been required to pay to such Indemnified Party or its Affiliate if such Net Recovery had been received prior to such payment by the Indemnifying Party (or, if such amount was paid from the Indemnity Escrow Fund and the final date for release of the Indemnity Escrow Fund has not passed, to the Escrow Agent to be held with the balance of the Indemnity Escrow Fund in accordance with the Escrow Agreement). For the avoidance of doubt, any claim for indemnification under this Article 9 may be made prior to or concurrently with any efforts to obtain available recoveries from any third party insurer, and nothing in this Section 9.5 shall delay the time for making any indemnification payment under this Agreement.

(b) Except in the case of a claim for Fraud, the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall be the sole and exclusive source of recovery for Losses for which the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to recover pursuant to Section 9.2(b). The Parties hereby agree that the Indemnity Escrow Amount shall not be a source of recovery with respect to any Losses other than pursuant to Section 9.2(b). The limitations specified in this Section 9.5(b) shall not be deemed to limit the rights of Buyer Indemnified Parties with respect to the R&W Insurer provided under the R&W Policy.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Buyer Indemnified Parties shall not be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement with respect to any Losses to the extent that the type and amount of such Losses were reflected in the calculation of the Final Closing Amount under Section 2.4.

9.6 Materiality Qualifications. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, solely for purposes of this Article 9 for determining (a) whether a breach of a representation or warranty exists for purposes of this Agreement, and (b) the amount of Losses arising from such a breach for which the Buyer Indemnified Parties are entitled to indemnification under this Agreement and, each representation and warranty contained in this Agreement shall be read without giving effect to any qualification that is based on materiality, including the words “material”, “material adverse effect”, “in any material respect” and other uses of the word “material” or words of similar meaning (and shall be treated as if such words were deleted from such representation or warranty), except for Section 3.8(a) and the definitions of “Top Vendor”, “Top Customer”, and “Top Institution”.

 

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9.7 Indemnification as Sole Remedy. Following the Closing, the indemnification provided for in this Article 9 shall be the sole and exclusive remedy and recourse for any and all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents, and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, other than (a) as set forth in Section 10.11, (b) as set forth in Section 2.4 or (c) under the Escrow Agreement, the Trademark License Agreements, the Platform Software Code License Agreement or the Transition Services Agreement. No Person will have any other entitlement, remedy or recourse, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, it being agreed that all of such other remedies, entitlements and recourse are expressly waived and released by the Parties to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, in the case of Fraud, Buyer or Seller, as applicable, shall have all remedies available under this Agreement or otherwise without giving effect to any of the survival periods, baskets, deductibles, caps, disclaimers, waivers, releases and any other limitations contained in this Agreement. The Parties have specifically relied upon the limited remedies provided in Section 10.11, Article 9, and Section 2.4 in agreeing to the Purchase Price and the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

9.8 Payment. If any amount owed under this Article 9 is not paid within ten (10) days after a final settlement among the Indemnifying Parties and the Indemnified Parties or a final adjudication determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that an indemnification obligation is owing by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party (either, a “Final Determination”), such amount shall bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum, or, if less, the maximum rate permitted by applicable Law, and the Indemnifying Party shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for any and all costs or expenses of any nature or kind whatsoever (including reasonable legal fees) incurred in seeking to collect such amount under this Article 9, and no limitation in this Article 9 shall apply to any such interest or reimbursement.

9.9 Purchase Price Adjustment. Any indemnification received under this Article 9 and any adjustments under Section 2.4 shall be treated by Buyer, Seller and their respective Affiliates, to the extent permitted by Law, as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, including for Income Tax purposes.

9.10 No Circular Recovery. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Seller hereby irrevocably waives and releases, and shall not make any claim for, (a) any right of contribution, subrogation or any similar right against any Buyer Indemnified Party with respect to any obligations of, or claims against, Seller under or with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any indemnification payments that Seller may, at any time, be required to make to any Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement, whether directly or indirectly through its interest in the Indemnity Escrow Fund or (b) any indemnification, contribution, advances or reimbursement against or from any Buyer Indemnified Party by reason of the fact that Seller or any of its equity holders, trustees, beneficiaries, directors, managers, officers, or employees was an equity holder, employee, officer, director, manager or other agent of the Company or was serving as such for another Person at the request of the Company (whether such claim is for Losses of any kind or otherwise and whether such claim is pursuant to any Law, organizational document, contractual obligation or otherwise) with respect to any claim brought by a Buyer Indemnified Party against Seller under or with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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9.11 R&W Policy(a) . Seller acknowledges that Buyer is entering into the R&W Policy and that, in connection therewith, a Buyer Indemnified Party may make claims for the same Losses or series of related Losses under both this Article 9 and the R&W Policy, subject to Section 9.5. Each Seller further acknowledges and agrees that the denial of any claim by any Buyer Indemnified Party under the R&W Policy shall not be construed as, or used as evidence that, such Buyer Indemnified Party is not entitled to indemnification under this Article 9. Nothing contained in this Article 9 shall limit the rights of Buyer against the R&W Insurer under the R&W Policy.

9.12 Release of Indemnity Escrow Amount. Within five (5) Business Days after the 12-month anniversary of the Closing (the “Indemnity Termination Date”), the Buyer and the Seller will deliver a joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent to release an amount equal to any amount then remaining in the Indemnity Escrow Fund, minus the full amount of any claims set forth in any Direct Claim Notice delivered by a Buyer Indemnified Party with respect to any claims made in good faith by such delivered by a Buyer Indemnified Party pursuant to Section 9.2(b) prior to the Indemnity Termination Date (each a “Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claim”), which remaining amount shall be retained by the Escrow Agent until final resolution of such Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claims. Upon the final resolution of any Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claim, Buyer and the Seller will deliver a joint written instruction to the Escrow Agent to release to the applicable Buyer Indemnified Party any amount to which the Buyer Indemnified Party is entitled to receive pursuant to Article 10 for such Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claim. Upon final resolution of all Remaining Unresolved Indemnity Claims, and following all distributions to any Buyer Indemnified Party, Buyer and the Seller will deliver joint written instructions to the Escrow Agent to release any remaining amount of the Indemnity Escrow Fund to the Seller.

ARTICLE 10

MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices. All notices and other communications made pursuant to or under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given or made (a) when personally delivered, (b) when transmitted by facsimile or electronic mail if such transmission occurs on a Business Day before 5:00 p.m. local time, or the next succeeding Business Day if such transmission occurs after such time, (c) one Business Day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier service, or (d) three Business Days after the mailing if sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested. All notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be delivered to the addresses set forth below, or such other address as such Party may have given to the other Parties by notice pursuant to this Section 10.1 (or in the case of counsel, to such other readily ascertainable business address as such counsel may hereafter maintain):

 

                   If to Seller   

edX Inc.

141 Portland St.

9th Floor

Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
E-Mail: agarwal@edx.org
Attention: Anant Agarwal

 

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  with a copy to:    Goodwin Procter LLP
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Facsimile: (617) 801-8643
E-Mail: DCappillo@goodwinlaw.com; MReardon@goodwinlaw.com
Attention: David V. Cappillo; Matthew E. Reardon
  If to Buyer:    2U, Inc.
7900 Harkins Roads
Lantham, MD 20706
E-Mail: mnorden@2u.com; plalljie@2u.com
Attention: Matthew Norden; Paul Lalljie
                   with a copy to:    Paul Hastings LLP
71 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4500
Chicago, IL 60606
Facsimile: (312) 499-6100
E-Mail: brandonbortner@paulhastings.com; richardradnay@paulhastings.com
Attention: Brandon Bortner; Richard S. Radnay

10.2 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with or related to this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees or expenses, whether or not such transactions are consummated, provided that, if the Closing occurs, Seller Transaction Expenses shall be borne and paid as provided in this Agreement. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the obligation of each Party to pay its own expenses will be subject to any rights of such Party arising from a breach of this Agreement by the other; provided further that Buyer shall pay all filing fees under the HSR Act incurred by the Parties in connection with or related to this Agreement and the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and all costs, premiums and expenses for the R&W Insurance Policies, regardless of whether the Closing occurs. Seller shall pay for all filing and similar fees associated with the 8A Notice and obtaining the approval of the Massachusetts’ Attorney General’s Office.

10.3 Entire Agreement. All references in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents to this Agreement shall include all Exhibits and Schedules hereto. This Agreement and the Transactions Documents constitute the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations, correspondence, undertakings and communications of the Parties, oral or written, respecting such subject matter.

10.4 Third Parties. This Agreement shall inure exclusively to the benefit of and be binding upon the Parties, any Person entitled to indemnification under Article 9 with respect to the provisions therein, any Releasee with respect to the provisions of Section 6.3, and any Person entitled to indemnification under Section 5.6 with respect to the provisions therein, and their respective successors, permitted assigns, executors and legal representatives. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any Person (other than the Parties or their respective successors and permitted assigns, any Person entitled to indemnification under Article 9 with respect to the provisions therein, any Releasee with respect to the provisions of Section 6.3, and any Person entitled to indemnification under Section 5.6 with respect to the provisions therein) any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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10.5 Assignments. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, but will not be assignable or delegable by any Party (whether structured as an asset purchase or change of control (including a merger, tender offer or otherwise) or by operation of Law or otherwise) (collectively, “Assign” or “Assignment,” and for the purposes of this definition, a change of control shall be deemed to be an Assignment) without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided, however, that, after the Closing, Buyer may only Assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to (i) any Affiliate or any direct or indirect purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or Buyer (whether structured as an asset purchase or change of control (including a merger, tender offer or otherwise)), in each case, so long as Buyer’s rights and obligations to and under the Contributed Assets, the Platform Software Code License Agreement, and the Trademark License Agreements are also simultaneously assigned to such Affiliate or purchaser and such Affiliate or purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including this Section 10.5, (ii) any insurer(s) or underwriter(s) providing the R&W Policy for the benefit of Buyer, or (iii) any financing sources as security for borrowings (so long as any such Assignment does not relieve Buyer of its obligations hereunder). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller may assign this Agreement, or any of its rights or obligations hereunder to a wholly-owned nonprofit subsidiary of Seller or another nonprofit entity that is controlled equally by the statutory members of Seller (so long as any such Assignment does not relieve Seller of its obligations hereunder). Any attempted Assignment in violation of this Section 10.5 shall be void ab initio.

10.6 Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended, modified or waived in any manner except by an agreement in writing duly executed and delivered by each of Buyer and Seller. No failure or delay of any Party to exercise any right or remedy given to such Party under this Agreement or otherwise available to such Party, or to insist upon strict compliance by any other Party with its or his obligations hereunder, no single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power, and no custom or practice of the Parties in variance with the terms hereof, shall constitute a waiver of any Party’s right to demand exact compliance with the terms hereof. Any written waiver shall be limited to those items specifically waived therein and shall not be deemed to waive any future breaches or violations or other non-specified breaches or violations unless, and to the extent, expressly set forth therein.

10.7 Severability. If any term or provision of this Agreement is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable Law, the validity, legality and enforceability of all other terms and provisions of this Agreement will not in any way be affected or impaired. If the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or other Governmental Authority declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making such determination will have the power to reduce the scope, duration, area or applicability of the term or provision, to delete specific words or phrases, or to replace any invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision with a term or provision that is valid, legal and enforceable and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable term or provision.

 

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10.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and all questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation, inducement to enter and/or performance of this Agreement (whether related to breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise and whether now existing or hereafter arising) shall be governed by, the internal Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to any Law that would cause the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware to be applied. The Seller shall cause the Seller Indemnified Parties, and the Buyer shall cause the Buyer Indemnified Parties, to comply with the foregoing as though such Indemnified Parties were a Party to this Agreement.

10.9 Exclusive Venue; Service of Process; Waiver of Jury Trial.

(a) Each Party agrees that any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby shall

be brought exclusively in the Delaware Court of Chancery in New Castle County, or in the event (but only in the event) that such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction over such Proceeding, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, or to the extent neither of such courts has subject matter jurisdiction over such Proceeding, the Superior Court of the State of Delaware, and in each case, the appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals in such courts, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts for itself and with respect to its property, generally and unconditionally, for the purpose of any such Proceeding. Each Party agrees not to commence any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby except in the courts described above (other than actions in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce any judgment, decree or award rendered by any such court described above), irrevocably and unconditionally waives any objection to the laying of venue of any Proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the Transaction Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in such courts, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such Proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum or does not have jurisdiction over any Party. The aforementioned choice of venue is intended by the Parties to be mandatory and not permissive in nature, thereby precluding the possibility of litigation between the Parties with respect to or arising out of this Agreement, any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in any jurisdiction other than those specified in this Section 10.9(a). A final judgment in any such Proceeding may be enforced in other jurisdictions by Proceeding on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.

(b) Each Party agrees that service of any process, summons, notice or document by U.S. registered mail to such Party’s respective address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any such Proceeding.

 

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(c) EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF SUCH PARTY IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF. EACH PARTY FURTHER WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL HAS BEEN WAIVED WITH ANY OTHER PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED OR WARRANTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.9.

10.10 Admissibility into Evidence. All offers of compromise or settlement among the Parties or their officers, directors, managers, employees, attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial advisors or other agents in connection with the attempted resolution of any dispute under this Agreement shall be deemed to have been delivered in furtherance of a settlement and shall be exempt from discovery and production and shall not be admissible in evidence (whether as an admission or otherwise) in any Proceeding for the resolution of such dispute.

10.11 Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached; (i) accordingly, each of the Parties shall be entitled to enforce specifically the provisions of this Agreement, including obtaining an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement, in any court designated to resolve disputes concerning this Agreement (or, if such court lacks subject matter jurisdiction, in any appropriate state or federal court), this being in addition to any other remedy to which such Party is entitled at Law or in equity; and (ii) each Party further agrees not to assert and waives (A) any defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at Law would be adequate and (B) any requirement under any Law to post security or provide indemnity as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief.

10.12 Covenants Dispute. Notwithstanding anything to contrary contained herein, prior to making any claim pursuant to Section 10.11, the parties agree to seek to resolve any claims or disputes arising directly or indirectly out of the Mission Covenants (a “Mission Dispute”) or the Privacy Covenants (a “Privacy Dispute” and collectively with Mission Disputes, a “Covenants Dispute”) in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10.12.

(a) Notice. As promptly as reasonably practicable after Seller becomes aware of a breach of any Covenant (other than through the Buyer’s Breach Notice), Seller shall, if it elects to dispute such breach, provide to Buyer a written notice setting forth with particularity a description with respect to such breach to allow Buyer to evaluate such breach. If Seller fails to notify Buyer of a breach within six (6) months after becoming aware of such breach, Seller will be deemed to have fully and irrevocably waived any claim with respect to such breach.

 

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(b) Cure. Buyer shall have forty-five (45) calendar days following the earlier of (i) receipt of notice of a breach of a Covenant from Seller and (ii) the delivery of Buyer’s Breach Notice, or such longer period of time as may be agreed in writing by Buyer and Seller (such time period, the “Cure Period”), to provide written notice to Seller explaining either (x) why Buyer does not believe a breach has occurred or (y) the actions that Buyer has taken to cure such breach and the status of such breach as of the expiration of the Cure Period (including either an affirmation that the breach has been cured or the anticipated timeline to cure such breach thereafter).

(c) Steering Committee. Buyer and Seller shall each appoint two representatives to a steering committee (the “Steering Committee”) to serve as the initial point of dispute resolution with respect to any Covenants Dispute which, in the determination of either Buyer or Seller, in such party’s sole discretion, remains existing after the expiration of the Cure Period. Within fifteen (15) Business Days following the expiration of the Cure Period, such remaining Covenants Dispute shall be first submitted to the Steering Committee (a “Covenant Dispute Notice”). Within ten (10) Business Days of the Covenant Dispute Notice first being submitted to the Steering Committee, the members of the Steering Committee shall meet, confer and discuss in person or by telephone conference, with a goal to resolve such Covenants Dispute within such period (such period, or such longer period of time as may be agreed in writing by Buyer and Seller, the “Steering Committee Resolution Period”).

(d) Leadership Discussion. If, in the determination of either Buyer or Seller, the Steering Committee fails to resolve the Covenants Dispute within the Steering Committee Resolution Period, such Covenants Dispute shall be referred to the chief executive officer of Buyer and the board of directors of Seller. The chief executive officer of Buyer and one or more representatives of the board of directors of Seller (as determined by Seller) shall meet, confer and discuss in person or by telephone conference to attempt to resolve such Covenants Dispute within five (5) Business Days after such Covenants Dispute is first referred to them.

(e) Mandatory Mediation. If following the leadership discussion, the parties, in the determination of either Buyer or Seller, have still not been able to resolve the Covenants Dispute, such Covenants Dispute shall be submitted pursuant to Section 347 of Title 10 of the Delaware Code to mediation by the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or by such other person as may be authorized by the Rules of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Chancery Rules”). The mediation shall be governed by the Chancery Rules then in force and effect. Each party is to pay only its own costs and expenses with respect to such mediation, though any fees for the filing of the mediation petition and for each day of the mediation shall be paid jointly and equally by the parties.

(f) Other Remedies. If the parties fail to resolve any Covenants Dispute following the procedures set in this Section 10.12, either party may pursue any remedy at law, equity, or otherwise provided for in accordance with this Section 10.12 and Section 10.11. For the avoidance of doubt, Seller’s compliance with this Section 10.11 shall be a necessary condition for the issuance of an order or similar relief directing Buyer to comply with a Covenant, unless Seller’s failure to comply with this Section 10.11 was primarily caused by a failure of the Buyer to comply with Section 10.11.

 

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10.13 Other Remedies. Except as otherwise provided herein, all remedies under this Agreement expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or at Law or in equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

10.14 Rules of Construction. The following rules of construction shall govern the interpretation of this Agreement:

(a) all references to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules are to Articles, Sections, Exhibits or Schedules in this Agreement;

(b) each accounting term not otherwise defined in this Agreement has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular or plural include the singular and plural, and pronouns stated in either the masculine, the feminine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter;

(d) whenever the words “include,” “includes” or “including” are used in this Agreement they shall be deemed to be followed by the words “but not limited to”;

(e) the word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” shall mean the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not simply mean “if”;

(f) references to any statute, rule, regulation or form (including in the definition thereof) shall be deemed to include references to such statute, rule, regulation or form as amended, modified, supplemented or replaced from time to time (and, in the case of any statute, include any rules and regulations promulgated under such statute), and all references to any section of any statute, rule, regulation or form include any successor to such section;

(g) when calculating the period of time before which, within which or following which any act is to be done or step taken pursuant to this Agreement, the date that is referenced in beginning the calculation of such period will be excluded (for example, if an action is to be taken within two days after a triggering event and such event occurs on a Tuesday, then the action must be taken on or prior to Thursday); if the last day of such period is a non-Business Day, the period in question will end on the next succeeding Business Day;

(h) time is of the essence with regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement;

(i) the subject headings of Articles and Sections of this Agreement are included for purposes of convenience of reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of any of its provisions;

 

75


(j) (i) the terms “hereof”, “herein”, “hereby”, “hereto”, and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, (ii) the term “any” means “any and all”, and (iii) the term “or” shall not be exclusive and shall mean “and/or”;

(k) (i) references to “days” means calendar days unless Business Days are expressly specified and (ii) references to “$” mean U.S. dollars;

(l) the Parties intend that each representation, warranty, covenant and agreement contained herein shall have independent significance, and if any Party has breached any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein in any respect, the fact that there exists another representation, warranty, covenant or agreement relating to the same or similar subject matter that the Party has not breached shall not detract from or mitigate the fact that the Party is in breach of the first representation, warranty, covenant or agreement;

(m) all uses of “written” contained in Articles 3 and 4 shall be deemed to include information transmitted via e-mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission;

(n) for purposes of Article 3, information shall be deemed to have been “made available” to Buyer only if such information was posted to the electronic data room maintained by Datasite in a manner accessible and reviewable by Buyer at least two Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement;

(o) any drafts of this Agreement or any Transaction Document circulated by or among the Parties prior to the final fully executed drafts shall not be used for purposes of interpreting any provision of this Agreement or any Transaction Document, and each of the Parties agrees that no Party, Indemnifying Party or Indemnified Party shall make any claim, assert any defense or otherwise take any position inconsistent with the foregoing in connection with any dispute or Proceeding among any of the foregoing or for any other purpose; and

(p) the Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement and the Transaction Documents; in the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement and the Transaction Documents shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement or any Transaction Document and the language used in it will be deemed to be the language chosen by the Parties to express their mutual intent.

10.15 Counterparts; Deliveries. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement, the Transaction Documents and each other agreement or instrument entered into in connection herewith or therewith or contemplated hereby or thereby, and any amendments hereto or thereto, to the extent signed and delivered by means of electronic transmission of .pdf files or other image files via e-mail, cloud-based transfer or file transfer protocol, or use of a facsimile machine, shall be treated in all manner and respects and for all purposes as an original agreement or instrument and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No party to any such agreement or instrument shall raise the use of electronic transmission or a facsimile machine to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of electronic transmission or a facsimile machine as a defense to the formation or enforceability of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense.

 

76


10.16 Copy of Virtual Data Room. On the Closing Date, Seller will deliver to Buyer, and shall retain a copy, on one or more USB electronic storage devices, a complete and accurate (as of the date of delivery) electronic copy of the virtual data room hosted by Datasite with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

10.17 Waiver of Conflicts; Privilege.

(a) Each of the Parties acknowledges and agrees that Goodwin Procter LLP (“Goodwin”) has acted as counsel to Seller and the Company in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

(b) Buyer hereby consents and agrees to, and agrees to cause its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) to consent and agree to, Goodwin representing Seller after the Closing, including with respect to disputes in which the interests of Seller may be directly adverse to Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company), and even though Goodwin may have represented the Company in a matter substantially related to any such dispute, or may be handling ongoing matters for the Company. Buyer further consents and agrees to, and agrees to cause its Affiliates (including the Company) to consent and agree to, the communication by Goodwin to Seller in connection with any such representation of any fact known to Goodwin arising by reason of Goodwin’s prior representation of the Company.

(c) In connection with the foregoing, Buyer hereby irrevocably waives and agrees not to assert, and agrees to cause its Affiliates (including the Company after Closing) to irrevocably waive and not to assert, any conflict of interest arising from or in connection with (i) Goodwin’s prior representation of the Company and (ii) Goodwin’s representation of Seller prior to and after the Closing.

(d) Buyer further agrees, on behalf of itself and, after the Closing, on behalf of its Affiliates (including the Company), that all communications in any form or format whatsoever between or among any of Goodwin, the Company, Seller, or any of their respective trustees, statutory members, directors, officers, employees, managers, partners or other representatives that relate in any way to the negotiation, documentation and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any dispute arising under this Agreement (collectively, the “Deal Communications”) shall be deemed to be retained and owned by Seller, shall be controlled by Seller and shall not pass to or be claimed by Buyer or any of its Affiliates, including the Company. All Deal Communications that are attorney-client privileged (the “Privileged Deal Communications”) shall remain privileged after the Closing and the privilege and the expectation of client confidence relating thereto shall belong solely to Seller, shall be controlled by Seller and shall not pass to or be claimed by Buyer or any of its Affiliates, including the Company.

 

77


(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that a dispute arises between Buyer (including the Company after the Closing), on the one hand, and a third party other than Seller, on the other hand, Buyer and its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) may assert the attorney-client privilege to prevent the disclosure of the Privileged Deal Communications to such third party; provided, however, that none of Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) may waive such privilege without the prior written consent of Seller. In the event that Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) is legally required by governmental order or otherwise to access or obtain a copy of all or a portion of the Privileged Deal Communications, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify Seller in writing so that Seller can seek a protective order (at Seller’s sole cost and expense).

(f) To the extent that files or other materials maintained by Goodwin constitute property of the Company, only Seller shall hold such property rights and Goodwin shall have no duty to reveal or disclose any such files or other materials or any Privileged Deal Communications by reason of any attorney-client relationship between Goodwin, on the one hand, and Buyer or any of its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing), on the other hand.

(g) Buyer agrees that it will not, and that it will cause its Affiliates (including, the Company after the Closing) not to, (i) seek to access or use the Privileged Deal Communications, including by seeking to have Seller waive the attorney-client or other privilege, or by otherwise asserting that Buyer or its Affiliates (including the Company after the Closing) has the right to waive the attorney-client or other privilege or (ii) seek to obtain the Privileged Deal Communications from Goodwin. Each Party further agrees that the Seller and its Affiliates need not take any action to segregate, excise, or otherwise remove or protect any Privileged Deal Communications or Deal Communications in order to maintain privilege and all contractual provisions of this Section 10.17; provided, however, that if, prior to the Closing, the Company, Seller or any of their respective directors, trustees, statutory members, officers, employees or other representatives take any action to protect from access or remove from the Company any Privileged Deal Communications, such action shall not constitute a breach of any provision of this Agreement.

[Signature page follows.]

 

78


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

BUYER:
2U, INC.
By:   /s/ Christopher Paucek
Name: Christopher “Chip” Paucek
Title:   Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

 

COMPANY:
CIRCUIT SUB LLC
By:   edX Inc., its Managing Member
By:   /s/ Anant Agarwal
Name: Anant Agarwal
Title:   Authorized Person and Chief Executive Officer

 

SELLER:
EDX INC.
By:   /s/ Anant Agarwal
Name: Anant Agarwal
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature page to Membership Interest Purchase Agreement]


Schedule 1.1(a)

Net Working Capital as of May 31, 2021


Schedule 1.1(b)

Reduced Closing Deferred Revenue as of May 31, 2021


Schedule 6.5(a)

Mission Covenants


Schedule 6.5(b)

Privacy Covenants


Schedule 9.2(b)


Exhibit A

Contribution Agreement


Exhibit B

edX and Open edX Trademark License Agreement


Exhibit C

Microbachelors and Micromasters Trademark License Agreement


Exhibit D

Platform Software Code License Agreement


Exhibit E

R&W Policy


Exhibit F

Escrow Agreement


Exhibit G

Financial Statements


Exhibit H

Allocation


Exhibit I

Transition Services

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

TERM LOAN CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 28, 2021

among

2U, INC.,

as Borrower,

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER PARTY HERETO,

as Guarantors

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

and

ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

SECTION 1

  DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION      1  

1.1

  Definitions      1  

1.2

  Accounting Terms      49  

1.3

  Interpretation, Etc      49  

1.4

  Timing of Performance      50  

1.5

  Currency Generally      50  

1.6

  Divisions      50  

1.7

  Negative Covenant Compliance      50  

1.8

  Calculations      50  

1.9

  Limited Condition Acquisitions      51  

SECTION 2

  LOANS      51  

2.1

  Term Loans      51  

2.2

  Pro Rata Shares      52  

2.3

  Use of Proceeds      52  

2.4

  Evidence of Debt; Notes      53  

2.5

  Interest on Loans      53  

2.6

  Conversion and Continuation      54  

2.7

  Default Interest      55  

2.8

  Fees      55  

2.9

  Maturity      56  

2.10

  Voluntary Prepayments      56  

2.11

  Mandatory Prepayments      56  

2.12

  Application of Prepayments      58  

2.13

  General Provisions Regarding Payments      59  

2.14

  Ratable Sharing      60  

2.15

  Making or Maintaining Eurodollar Loans      60  

2.16

  Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy      62  

2.17

  Taxes; Withholding, Etc.      63  

2.18

  Obligation to Mitigate      67  

2.19

  Replacement of Lenders      68  

2.20

  Defaulting Lenders      68  

2.21

  Benchmark Replacement Setting      69  

2.22

  Incremental Facilities      71  

2.23

  Specified Refinancing Debt      75  

2.24

  Extension of Term Loans and Revolving Credit Commitments      77  

2.25

  Incremental Equivalent Debt      81  

SECTION 3

  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT      81  

3.1

  Closing Date      81  

SECTION 4

  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      84  

4.1

  Organization; Required Power and Authority; Qualification      84  

4.2

  Equity Interests and Ownership      84  

4.3

  Due Authorization      84  

4.4

  No Conflict      84  

4.5

  Governmental Consents      85  

4.6

  Binding Obligation      85  

4.7

  Historical Financial Statements      85  

 

i


4.8

  No Material Adverse Change      85  

4.9

  Adverse Proceedings      85  

4.10

  Payment of Taxes      86  

4.11

  Title      86  

4.12

  Real Estate Assets      86  

4.13

  Environmental Matters      86  

4.14

  Investment Company Regulation      87  

4.15

  Margin Stock      87  

4.16

  Employee Matters      87  

4.17

  Employee Benefit Plans      87  

4.18

  Solvency      88  

4.19

  Compliance with Laws; Use of Proceeds      88  

4.20

  Disclosure      88  

4.21

  Collateral      88  

4.22

  Status as Senior Indebtedness      89  

4.23

  Intellectual Property      89  

4.24

  Education Law Matters      89  

SECTION 5

  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS      90  

5.1

  Financial Statements and Other Reports and Notices      90  

5.2

  Existence      92  

5.3

  Payment of Taxes and Claims      92  

5.4

  Maintenance of Properties      92  

5.5

  Insurance      93  

5.6

  Books and Records      93  

5.7

  Inspections      93  

5.8

  Lenders Meetings      94  

5.9

  Compliance with Laws      94  

5.10

  Environmental      94  

5.11

  Subsidiaries      94  

5.12

  Material Real Estate      95  

5.13

  Use of Proceeds      96  

5.14

  Further Assurances      97  

5.15

  Post-Closing Obligations      97  

5.16

  Compliance with Education Law      97  

5.17

  Designation of Subsidiaries      97  

SECTION 6

  NEGATIVE COVENANTS      98  

6.1

  Indebtedness      98  

6.2

  Liens      102  

6.3

  Payments and Prepayments of Junior Financing or Convertible Bond Indebtedness; Amendments to Certain Documents      106  

6.4

  Restricted Payments      108  

6.5

  Burdensome Agreements      111  

6.6

  Investments      113  

6.7

  Fundamental Changes      116  

6.8

  Asset Sales      117  

6.9

  Sales and Lease-Backs      120  

6.10

  Transactions with Affiliates      121  

6.11

  Fiscal Year      122  

 

ii


6.12

  Lines of Business      122  

6.13

  Issuance of Qualified Equity Interests      122  

6.14

  Minimum Recurring Revenue Covenant      122  

SECTION 7

  GUARANTY      122  

7.1

  Guaranty of the Obligations      122  

7.2

  Contribution by Guarantors      123  

7.3

  Payment by Guarantors      123  

7.4

  Liability of Guarantors Absolute      124  

7.5

  Waivers by Guarantors      125  

7.6

  Guarantors’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc      126  

7.7

  Subordination of Other Obligations      127  

7.8

  Continuing Guaranty      127  

7.9

  Authority of Guarantors or the Borrower      127  

7.10

  Financial Condition of the Borrower      127  

7.11

  Bankruptcy, Etc.      127  

7.12

  Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor      128  

7.13

  Maximum Liability      128  

SECTION 8

  EVENTS OF DEFAULT      129  

8.1

  Events of Default      129  

8.2

  Acceleration      131  

8.3

  Application of Payments and Proceeds      132  

8.4

  Right to Cure      133  

SECTION 9

  AGENTS      134  

9.1

  Appointment and Authority      134  

9.2

  Rights as a Lender      134  

9.3

  Exculpatory Provisions      134  

9.4

  Reliance by Agents      136  

9.5

  Delegation of Duties      136  

9.6

  Resignation of the Administrative Agent.      136  

9.7

  Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders      137  

9.8

  Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim      138  

9.9

  Collateral Documents and Guaranty.      138  

9.10

  Withholding Taxes      140  

9.11

  Agent Discretion      140  

9.12

  Indemnification by Lenders      140  

9.13

  Survival      141  

9.14

  Erroneous Payment      141  

SECTION 10

  MISCELLANEOUS      142  

10.1

  Notices      142  

10.2

  Expenses      144  

10.3

  Indemnity; Certain Waivers      145  

10.4

  Set-Off      147  

10.5

  Amendments and Waivers      147  

10.6

  Successors and Assigns; Participations      150  

10.7

  Independence of Covenants      156  

10.8

  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements      156  

10.9

  No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative      156  

 

iii


10.10

     Marshalling; Payments Set Aside      157  

10.11

     Severability      157  

10.12

     Obligations Several; Independent Nature of the Lenders’ Rights      157  

10.13

     Headings      157  

10.14

     Governing Law      157  

10.15

     Consent to Jurisdiction      157  

10.16

     WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      158  

10.17

     Confidentiality      158  

10.18

     Usury Savings Clause      160  

10.19

     No Strict Construction      160  

10.20

     Counterparts; Effectiveness      160  

10.21

     Integration      161  

10.22

     No Fiduciary Duty      161  

10.23

     PATRIOT Act      161  

10.24

     Judgment Currency      161  

10.25

     Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      162  

10.26

     Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFC      162  

10.27

     Certain ERISA Matters.      163  

 

iv


APPENDICES:

 

Appendix A    – Initial Term Loan Commitments and Percentages
Appendix B    – Notice Addresses
SCHEDULES:
Schedule 1.1(a)    – Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1(b)    – Existing Secured Cash Management Obligations
Schedule 1.1(c)    – Existing Secured Swap Obligations
Schedule 4.1    – Organization
Schedule 4.2    – Equity Interests and Ownership
Schedule 4.12    – Real Estate Assets
Schedule 5.12    – Material Real Estate
Schedule 5.15    – Post-Closing Obligations
Schedule 6.1(a)(ii)    – Indebtedness
Schedule 6.2(a)(ii)    – Liens
Schedule 6.5    – Burdensome Agreements
Schedule 6.6(e)    – Investments
Schedule 6.10(f)    – Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 10.6    – Permitted Assignees
EXHIBITS:
Exhibit A-1    – Form of Funding Notice
Exhibit A-2    – Form of Conversion/Continuation Notice
Exhibit B    – Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit C    – Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D-1    – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit D-2    – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit D-3    – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit D-4    – Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit E    – Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit F    – Form of Counterpart Agreement
Exhibit G    – Form of Collateral Agreement
Exhibit H    – Form of Solvency Certificate

 

 

v


TERM LOAN CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This TERM LOAN CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT, dated as of June 28, 2021 (this “Agreement”), is entered into by and among 2U, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER PARTY HERETO, as Guarantors, THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO, and ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC (“Alter Domus”), as administrative agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), and as collateral agent (together with its permitted successors in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”).

RECITALS:

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.1 hereof;

WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to extend a secured term loan facility to the Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of $475,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used by the Borrower for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for purposes of consummating the Circuit Acquisition (as defined herein) and discharging the Indebtedness for borrowed money under the Existing Credit Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Guarantors have agreed to guarantee the obligations of the Borrower hereunder; and

WHEREAS, the Borrower and the Guarantors have agreed to secure their respective Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Lien on substantially all of their respective assets, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Collateral Documents.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1 Definitions. The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, appendices, schedules and exhibits hereto, shall have the following meanings:

Accrediting Body” means any non-governmental entity, including institutional and specialized accrediting agencies, which engages in the granting or withholding of accreditation of educational institutions, programs or courses in accordance with standards relating to the performance, operations, financial condition or academic standards of such institutions, programs or courses.

Adjusted Eurodollar Rate” means with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) 0.75% per annum, and (y) the Eurodollar Rate.

Administrative Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.


Adverse Proceeding” means any action, suit, proceeding, hearing (in each case, whether administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign, whether pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, threatened in writing against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any property of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Affected Financial Institution” shall mean (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affected Lender” as defined in Section 2.15(b).

Affected Loans” as defined in Section 2.15(b).

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be deemed an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party solely by reason of the provisions of the Credit Documents.

Agency Fee Letter” means an agency fee letter to be entered into by and between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Closing Date.

Agent” means each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and any sub-agent or supplemental agent appointed by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from time to time.

Agent Parties” as defined in Section 10.1(d)(ii).

Aggregate Payments” as defined in Section 7.2.

Agreement” as defined in the preamble hereto.

AML Laws” means all Laws of any jurisdiction applicable to any Lender, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to anti-money laundering.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means all Laws of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

Anti-Terrorism Laws” means any of the Laws relating to terrorism or money laundering, including Executive Order No. 13224, the PATRIOT Act, the Bank Secrecy Act, the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 (i.e., 18 USC. §§ 1956 and 1957), the Laws administered by OFAC, and all Laws comprising or implementing these Laws.

Applicable Margin” means (A) (i) for Initial Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, 4.75% per annum and (ii) for Initial Term Loans that are Eurodollar Loans, 5.75% per annum, in each case, subject to adjustment described under Sections 2.22 and 2.25.

 

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Applicable Premium” means, as of the date of the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event:

(a) during the period of time from and after the Closing Date but prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to three percent (3.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loan prepaid (or in the case of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event occurring under clauses (b), (c) or (d) of the definition thereof, deemed to be prepaid); and

(b) during the period of time from and including the date that is the first anniversary of the Closing Date up to (but not including) the date that is the second anniversary of the Closing Date, an amount equal to one percent (1.00%) of the principal amount of the Term Loan prepaid (or in the case of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event occurring under clauses (b), (c) or (d) of the definition thereof, deemed to be prepaid); and

(c) from and after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, zero.

Applicable Premium Trigger Event” means:

(a) any voluntary prepayment by any Credit Party of all, or any part, of the principal balance of any Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.10;

(b) any mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11(a);

(c) the acceleration of the Obligations for any reason, including, but not limited to, acceleration in accordance with Section 8.2(b), including as a result of the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

(d) the satisfaction, release, payment, restructuring, reorganization, replacement, reinstatement, defeasance or compromise of any of the Obligations in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding or otherwise) or deed in lieu of foreclosure or the making of a distribution of any kind in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law to any Agent, for the account of the Lenders in full or partial satisfaction of the Obligations; or

(e) the termination of this Agreement by the Borrower or any Credit Party for any reason or the replacement of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.19(iii) or (iv).

For purposes of the definition of the term Applicable Premium, if an Applicable Premium Trigger Event occurs under clause (b), (c) or (d) above, the entire outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans shall be deemed to have been prepaid on the date on which such Applicable Premium Trigger Event occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any prepayment or repayment effected in connection with (x) any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans in full or in part in connection with the abandonment or termination of the Circuit Acquisition constitute an Applicable Premium Trigger Event or (y) any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans made in accordance with the terms of Section 2.11(c).

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (i) a Lender, (ii) an Affiliate of a Lender or (iii) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

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Asset Sale” as defined in Section 6.8. For the avoidance of doubt, the settlement or early termination of any Capped Call Transaction shall not constitute an Asset Sale.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.6(b)(iii)), and reasonably accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the assigning Lender shall not be required to execute the assignment and assumption to the extent such Lender is replaced in accordance with Section 2.19.

Authorized Officer” means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, president or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), chief compliance officer, a director, general counsel, company secretary or assistant company secretary, and such Person’s chief financial officer or treasurer; provided, no individual shall be deemed to be an “Authorized Officer” of any Person unless and until an officer of such Person shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an incumbency certificate as to the office of such individual with respect to such Person.

Available Amount” means, as of any date (the “Determination Date”), a cumulative amount equal to (without duplication): (a) the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 75% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), plus (b) 50% of Consolidated Net Income beginning on June 1, 2021 to the end of the most recent Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), plus (c) the cash proceeds of new public or private equity issuances (other than Disqualified Equity Interests, the proceeds of Equity Interests constituting Cure Amounts, or the proceeds of Equity Interests issued as a result of the conversion of any Convertible Bond Indebtedness into Equity Interests of the Borrower) of the Borrower or any parent of the Borrower, to the extent the proceeds thereof are contributed to the Borrower as Qualified Equity Interests, plus (d) capital contributions to the Borrower made in cash or Cash Equivalents and the fair market value of assets, plus (e) returns, profits, distributions and similar amounts received in cash or Cash Equivalents and the fair market value of assets by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on or proceeds of (i) dispositions of Investments made pursuant to Section 6.6(b) and from repurchases and redemptions of such Investments from the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) and from repayments of loans or advances that constituted Investments (other than intercompany Investments), (ii) the sale of its ownership interest in any joint venture that is not a Subsidiary or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (iii) any distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary plus (f) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness issued to the Borrower or a Subsidiary) that has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests or Equity Interests issued as a result of the conversion of any Convertible Bond Indebtedness into Equity Interests of the Borrower) of the Borrower, plus (g) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, the fair market value of the Investments of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable), (h) to the extent not otherwise applied to prepay term loans outstanding under any Incremental Equivalent Debt, or any Permitted Refinancing thereof, the amount of any Declined Proceeds, minus (i) any amounts thereof used to make Restricted Payments pursuant to Section 6.4(m) after the Closing Date and prior to the Determination Date, minus (j) any amounts thereof used to make Investments pursuant to Section 6.6(b) after the Closing Date and prior to the Determination Date and minus (k) any amounts thereof used to make payments in respect of any Junior Restricted Financing pursuant to Section 6.3(a)(vi) after the Closing Date and prior to the Determination Date.

 

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Available Incremental Amount” has the meaning given to it in Section 2.22.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, (x) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period or (y) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, pursuant to this Agreement as of such date.

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) the sum of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day, plus (b) 1/2 of 1.00%, and (iii) the sum of (a) the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate for an Interest Period of one month at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day), plus (b) 1.00%. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, as the case may be, shall be effective on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein, the Base Rate shall in no event be less than 1.75%.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

Benchmark” means, initially, USD LIBOR; provided that if a replacement of the Benchmark has occurred pursuant to this Section titled “Benchmark Replacement Setting”, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate. Any reference to “Benchmark” shall include, as applicable, the published component used in the calculation thereof.

 

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Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor:

(1) For purposes of clause (a) of this Section, the first alternative set forth below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent:

(a) the sum of: (i) Term SOFR and (ii) 0.11448% (11.448 basis points) for an Available Tenor of one-month’s duration, 0.26161% (26.161 basis points) for an Available Tenor of three-months’ duration, and 0.42826% (42.826 basis points) for an Available Tenor of six-months’ duration, or

(b) the sum of: (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the spread adjustment selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of the tenor of USD LIBOR with a SOFR-based rate having approximately the same length as the interest payment period specified in clause (a) of this Section; and

(2) For purposes of clause (b) of this Section, the sum of (a) the alternate benchmark rate and (b) an adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero), in each case, that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for such Available Tenor of such Benchmark giving due consideration to any evolving or then-prevailing market convention, including any applicable recommendations made by the Relevant Governmental Body, for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time;

provided that, if the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents).

Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark other than USD LIBOR, the occurrence of a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the then-current Benchmark, the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark, announcing or stating that (a) such administrator has ceased or will cease on a specified date to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark or (b) all Available Tenors of such Benchmark are or will no longer be representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored.

 

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Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan.”

Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, (i) in the case of any corporation, the board of directors of such Person, (ii) in the case of any limited liability company, the board of managers or managing member of such Person, (iii) in the case of any partnership, the general partners of such partnership (or the board of directors of the general partner of such Person, if any) and (iv) in any other case, the functional equivalent of the foregoing.

Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System.

Borrower” as defined in the introductory paragraph.

Borrowing” means any Loans of the same type and class made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Business Day” means (i) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the Laws of the State of New York or is a day on which banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by Law or other governmental action to close and (ii) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection with the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or any Eurodollar Loans, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

Capped Call Transactions” mean (a) one or more call options (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) referencing the Borrower’s Equity Interests (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower) purchased by the Borrower (or a Subsidiary) with a strike or exercise price (howsoever defined) initially equal to the conversion price or exchange price (howsoever defined) of the related Convertible Bond Indebtedness (subject to rounding) (whether settled in shares, cash or a combination thereof) and limiting the amount deliverable to the Borrower (or a Subsidiary) upon exercise thereof based on a cap or upper strike price (howsoever defined) and (b) one or more call options (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) referencing the Borrower’s Equity Interests (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower) sold by the Borrower (or a Subsidiary) substantially concurrently with any purchase by the Borrower (or a Subsidiary) of a related call option (or substantively equivalent derivative transaction) referencing the Borrower’s Equity Interests (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower), in each case, in connection with the issuance of Convertible Bond Indebtedness.

 

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Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, all leases that are required to be, in accordance with GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2018, recorded as capitalized leases; provided that the adoption or issuance of any accounting standards after such date will not cause any lease that was not or would not have been a Capital Lease prior to such adoption or issuance to be deemed a Capital Lease.

CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, any of the following: (i) marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government or (b) issued by any agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A 1 from S&P or at least P 1 from Moody’s; (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A 1 from S&P or at least P 1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within three months after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the Laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator) and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $1,000,000,000; (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (i) and (iv) above, (b) has net assets of not less than $5,000,000,000, and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s and (vi) other cash management arrangements made in accordance with policy therefor approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower. In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States, Cash Equivalents shall also include (x) Investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (i) through (v) above of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (y) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments.

Cash Management Services” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of the term “Secured Cash Management Obligations.”

Casualty Event” means any event that gives rise to the receipt by Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of any casualty insurance proceeds (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance) or condemnation awards or that gives rise to a taking by a Governmental Authority in respect of any equipment, fixed assets or real property (including any improvements thereon) to replace, restore or repair, or compensate for the loss of, such equipment, fixed assets or real property.

 

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Change in Law” means (a) the adoption of any rule, regulation, treaty or other law after the date of this Agreement, (b) any change in any rule, regulation, treaty or other law or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the date of this Agreement or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this Agreement; provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 or issued in connection therewith and (ii) any requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, in each case shall be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” to the extent enacted, adopted, promulgated or issued after the date of this Agreement, but only to the extent such rules, regulations, or published interpretations or directives are applied to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in substantially the same manner as applied to other similarly situated borrowers under comparable syndicated credit facilities, including, without limitation, for purposes of Section 2.16.

Change of Control” means any of the following:

(i) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or its Subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

(ii) a “change of control” or similar provision as set forth in any indenture or other instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary has occurred obligating the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to repurchase, redeem or repay all or any part of the Indebtedness provided for therein (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any conversion obligations related thereto).

For purposes of this definition, (i) “beneficial ownership” shall be as defined in Rules 13(d)-3 and 13(d)-5 under the Exchange Act, (ii) the phrase Person or “group” is within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such Person or “group” and its subsidiaries and any Person acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan, and (iii) a Person acquiring voting interests in the Equity Interests shall not be deemed to have beneficial ownership of such voting interests subject to a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement, so long as such agreement contains a condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated thereunder that the Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) shall be paid in full and the Commitments hereunder terminated prior to (or contemporaneously with) the consummation of such transactions.

 

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Circuit Acquisition” means the Investment contemplated by the Circuit Acquisition Agreement.

Circuit Acquisition Agreement” means the Membership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2021, by and among the Borrower, edX, Inc., a Massachusetts nonprofit corporation (the “Circuit Seller”), and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

Circuit Acquisition Prepayment Date” means, for so long as the “Outside Date” (as defined in the Circuit Acquisition Agreement and, for the avoidance of doubt, as automatically extended in accordance with its terms) is on or before December 31, 2021, December 31, 2021; provided, that, if, on or prior to December 31, 2021, such Outside Date is extended to a date later than December 31, 2021, the “Circuit Acquisition Prepayment Date” shall be June 30, 2022.

Closing Date” means the first date on which the conditions set forth in Section 3.1 have been satisfied (other than those conditions which are expressly specified to be satisfied on the Funding Date).

Closing Date Mortgaged Property” as defined in Section 5.12(a).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, together with the regulations promulgated thereunder from time to time.

Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property (including Equity Interests) in which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations, but excluding any Excluded Assets.

Collateral Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

Collateral Agreement” means the Collateral Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

Collateral Documents” means the Collateral Agreement, the Mortgages, if any, the Intellectual Property Security Agreements, if any, and all other instruments, documents and agreements delivered by or on behalf or at the request of any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents in order to grant to, or perfect in favor of, the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of that Credit Party as security for the Obligations.

Commitment” means a Term Loan Commitment and/or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. §1 et. seq.), as amended from time to time and any successor statute.

Communications” as defined in Section 10.1(d)(ii).

 

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Compliance Certificate” means a Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, without duplication, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period plus:

(a) the following to the extent deducted (or not excluded) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (other than in respect of clauses (xiii), (xv), (xvi) and (xix)):

(i) Consolidated Interest Expense, amortization or write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs and commissions, discounts and other fees and charges associated with Indebtedness (including the Loans and commitment, letter of credit and administrative fees and charges with respect to the facilities made hereunder) for such period,

(ii) the provision for taxes based on income (or similar taxes in lieu of income taxes), profits, capital (or equivalents), including federal, state, local foreign, franchise, excise and similar taxes paid or accrued during such period,

(iii) depreciation and amortization expense,

(iv) [reserved],

(v) all extraordinary, unusual or nonrecurring losses, expenses and charges,

(vi) any restructuring charges, carve-out costs, severance costs, integration costs, retention, recruiting, relocation, signing bonuses and expenses, stock option and other equity-based compensation expenses, accruals or reserves (including restructuring costs related to Permitted Acquisitions and other Investments permitted hereunder and adjustments to existing reserves), any one time expense relating to enhanced accounting function and any losses on related sales of personal and real property, including any charges and losses incurred in connection with the closure and/or consolidation of any operational facilities and existing lines of business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and any optimization expense and Public Company Costs for such period,

(vii) [reserved],

(viii) costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions,

(ix) all costs and expenses incurred or paid in connection with Investments (including Permitted Acquisitions) and Asset Sales permitted hereunder whether or not such Investment or Asset Sales is consummated or occurs prior to or after the Closing Date,

(x) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, prepayment or amendment or refinancing of Indebtedness permitted hereunder or issuance of Equity Interests,

 

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(xi) other expenses of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing such Consolidated Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period,

(xii) the aggregate net loss on the Asset Sales of property (other than accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and inventory) outside the ordinary course of business,

(xiii) (x) pro forma adjustments in the Financial Model to the extent such amounts, or amounts of similar type and nature to those listed in the Financial Model, without duplication, continue to be applicable during such period; and (y) “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies that are reasonably anticipated by the Borrower (as reasonably determined by the Borrower in good faith and certified by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower) to be realized after any acquisition (including the commencement of activities constituting a business) or disposition (including the termination or discontinuance of activities constituting a business), in each case of business entities or of properties or assets constituting a division or line of business (including, without limitation, a product line), and/or any other operational change or similar initiatives or transactions within 24 months after such period, in each case, whether such action has been taken or is reasonably expected to be taken (which will be added to Consolidated EBITDA as so projected until fully realized and calculated on a Pro Forma Basis as though such synergies, cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (i) for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to operational changes that are not associated with any acquisition or disposition, the “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies associated with such operational change shall be limited to those that are reasonably anticipated by the Borrower to be realized after the date on which such operational change is planned or otherwise identified by the Borrower in good faith within 18 months after such period, (ii) to the extent that such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements and initiatives and synergies are no longer anticipated by the Borrower to be realized following the relevant acquisition, disposition or operational change or, in the case of operational changes that are not associated with an acquisition or disposition, after the date on which such operational change is planned or otherwise identified by the Borrower in good faith, in each case, within 18 months after such period, such amounts shall no longer be added back to Consolidated EBITDA and (iii) amounts added back to Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to subclause (y) of this clause (xiii) shall not, in the aggregate, exceed, when aggregated with the adjustments made pursuant to the definition of Pro Forma Cost Savings, 35% of Consolidated EBITDA for any four Fiscal Quarter period (determined after giving effect thereto),

(xiv) (i) the amount of payments made to option holders, stock holders or restricted stock unit holders of Borrower in connection with, or as a result of, any distribution being made to shareholders of such person, which payments are being made to compensate such option holders as though they were shareholders at the time of, and entitled to share in, such distribution, in each case to the extent permitted in the Credit Documents, and (ii) directors’ fees and expenses paid or accrued by Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the extent paid or accrued with respect to services that relate directly to Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries and paid for with amounts distributed by Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, of any direct or indirect parent thereof,

 

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(xv) other adjustments that are (i) determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Exchange Act and as interpreted by the staff of the SEC (or any successor agency), (ii) approved by the Required Lenders, or (iii) contained in the Financial Model,

(xvi) net realized losses from Swap Contracts or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment,

(xvii) any net loss included in Consolidated Net Income attributable to non-controlling interests in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or any joint venture,

(xviii) all cash actually received (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) during the relevant period and not included in Consolidated Net Income in respect of any non-cash gain deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA (including any component definition) for any previous period and not added back during such period, and

(xix) (i) reasonable and documented costs, expenses and fees incurred in connection with the implementation of ASC 606 and (ii) any non-cash costs, expenses and fees and transitional adjustments resulting from the application of ASC 606, and less

(b) the following to the extent added in calculating such Consolidated Net Income

(A) all interest income for such period,

(B) all income tax benefits included in Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(C) any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period,

(D) the aggregate net gain from Asset Sales of property (other than accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and inventory) outside the ordinary course of business, all as determined on a consolidated basis,

(E) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period,

(F) any net realized income or gains from any obligations under any Swap Contracts or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment,

(G) the amount of any minority interest net income attributable to non-controlling interests in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary or any joint venture, and

(H) any non-cash gains resulting from the application of ASC 606 and any positive transitional adjustments resulting therefrom.

Consolidated Interest Expense” for any period, the excess of (a) total cash interest expense (including that attributable to Capital Leases) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing), determined in accordance with GAAP, over (b) income (net of costs) and net costs under Swap Contracts in respect of interest rates to the extent such net income is allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP, but excluding, to the extent related to the Transactions, debt issuance costs and debt discount or premium, properly classified as an interest expense under GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” of a Person means all Indebtedness of the type described in clauses (i) (but excluding surety bonds, performance bonds or other similar instruments), (ii), and (iii) (solely to the extent reimbursement obligations are due and owing thereunder for more than three consecutive Business Days) of the definition of “Indebtedness” of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, in an amount that would be reflected on a balance sheet prepared as of such date on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (but (x) excluding the effects of any discounting of Indebtedness resulting from the application of purchase accounting in connection with the Transactions or any acquisition and (y) any Indebtedness that is issued at a discount to its initial principal amount shall be calculated based on the entire stated principal amount thereof, without giving effect to any discounts or upfront payments). For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood that obligations (a) under Swap Contracts and Cash Management Services or (b) owed by Unrestricted Subsidiaries do not constitute Consolidated Funded Indebtedness.

Consolidated Funded Senior Secured Indebtedness” means Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries that is secured by a Lien on any asset or property of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that such Consolidated Funded Indebtedness is not expressly subordinated pursuant to a written agreement in right of payment to the Obligations.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that

(a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded;

(b) the income (or deficit) of any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower) in which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has an ownership interest, except to the extent that any such income is actually received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in the form of dividends or similar distributions or that (as reasonably determined by an Authorized Officer) could have been distributed by such Person during such period to the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;

(c) the undistributed earnings of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by the terms of any Contractual Obligation (other than under any Credit Document), its Organizational Documents or applicable Laws, shall be excluded;

(d) expenses and lost profits with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption will be disregarded to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer, but only to the extent that such amount (i) has not been denied by the applicable carrier in writing and (ii) is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date on which such liability was discovered or such casualty event or business interruption occurred (with a deduction for any amounts so added back that are not reimbursed within such 365-day period); provided that any proceeds of such reimbursement when received shall be excluded from the calculation of Consolidated Net Income to the extent the expense or lost profit reimbursed was previously disregarded pursuant to this clause (d);

 

 

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(e) losses, charges and expenses that are covered by indemnification, reimbursement, guaranty, purchase price adjustment or other similar provisions in favor of Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in any agreement entered into by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be excluded to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification, reimbursement, guaranty or purchase price adjustment, but only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified, reimbursed, guaranteed or adjusted within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days);

(f) the effects of purchase accounting, fair value accounting or recapitalization accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the referent Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries) resulting from the application of purchase accounting, fair value accounting or recapitalization accounting (including in the inventory property and equipment, software, goodwill, intangible assets, in-process research and development, deferred revenue and debt line items), and the amortization, write-down or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;

(g) all non-cash impairment charges and asset write-ups, write-downs and write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles arising from the application of GAAP shall be excluded;

(h) all non-cash expenses realized in connection with or resulting from equity or equity-linked compensation plans, employee benefit plans or agreements or post-employment benefit plans or agreements, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock, stock appreciation or other similar rights shall be excluded; and

(i) any costs or expenses incurred in connection with the payment of dividend equivalent rights to holders of equity-based incentive awards pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or post-employment benefit plan or agreement shall be excluded.

Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Senior Secured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (less the unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date in an aggregate amount up to $75,000,000), to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Test Period ended on such date, in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date (less the unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date in an aggregate amount up to $75,000,000) to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Test Period ended on such date, in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

 

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Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of any date of determination, all assets that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth under the caption “total assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, in each case, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument (other than a Credit Document) to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

Contributing Guarantors” as defined in Section 7.2.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. Any Person holding more than ten percent (10 %) of the voting Equity Interests in another Person shall be deemed to be in Control of such Person. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

Controlled Foreign Corporation” means a “controlled foreign corporation” (within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code) of which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a “United States shareholder” (within the meaning of Section 951 of the Code) and with respect to which the Borrower shall have made a determination, in its reasonable judgment, that a guaranty by, grant of a Lien by, or pledge of two-thirds or more of the voting Equity Interests of, such Subsidiary would result in incremental income tax liability as a result of the application of Section 956 of the Code, taking into account actual anticipated repatriation of funds, foreign tax credits and other relevant factors.

Conversion/Continuation Date” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

Conversion/Continuation Notice” means a written Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

Convertible Bond Indebtedness” means unsecured Indebtedness having a feature which entitles the holder thereof to convert or exchange all or a portion of such Indebtedness into or by reference to Equity Interests of the Borrower (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower). For the avoidance of doubt, the Senior Notes shall constitute Convertible Bond Indebtedness.

Counterpart Agreement” means a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

Credit Document” means any of this Agreement, the Notes, if any, each Notice, each Counterpart Agreement, if any, the Collateral Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Agency Fee Letter and each other document jointly identified by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to time.

Credit Document Obligations” means all obligations of every nature of each Credit Party from time to time owed to any Agent (including any former Agent), any Lender, whether for principal, interest (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law with respect to such Credit Party, would have accrued on any Credit Document Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such Credit Party for such interest in such proceeding), fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

 

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Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan.

Credit Party” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day, SOFR, with the conventions for this rate (which will include a lookback) being established by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the conventions for this rate recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for determining “Daily Simple SOFR” for syndicated business loans; provided, that if the Administrative Agent decides that any such convention is not administratively feasible for the Administrative Agent, then the Administrative Agent may establish another convention in its reasonable discretion.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Declined Proceeds” as defined in Section 2.11(b).

Default” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans within one Business Day of the date on which such funding is required hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement or provided any written notification to any Person to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent (whether acting on its own behalf or at the reasonable request of the Borrower (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall comply with any such reasonable request)) to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or subsequently cured, or (e)(i) become or is insolvent or has a parent company that has become or is insolvent, (ii) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or any action or proceeding of the type described in Section 8.1(f) or (h), or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian, appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action or has a parent company that has become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any capital stock in such Lender or its direct or indirect parent by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.

 

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Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value of non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale pursuant to Section 6.8(r) that is designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to a certificate of an officer of the Borrower, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed, sold or otherwise disposed of or returned in exchange for consideration in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents in compliance with Section 6.8.

Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest which is not Qualified Equity Interests.

Disqualified Lenders” means (a) those Persons identified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in writing prior to the Closing Date, (b) those Persons who are competitors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries identified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent from time to time in writing (including by email) and (c) in the case of each Persons identified pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above, any of their Affiliates that are either (i) identified in writing by the Borrower from time to time or (ii) clearly identifiable as Affiliates on the basis of such Affiliate’s name (other than, in the case of this clause (c), Affiliates that are bona fide debt funds); provided that no updates to the Disqualified Lender list shall be deemed to retroactively disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation in respect of the Loans from continuing to hold or vote such previously acquired assignments and participations on the terms set forth herein for Lenders that are not Disqualified Lenders. Any supplement to the list of Disqualified Lenders pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above shall be sent by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in writing (including by email) and such supplement shall take effect on the Business Day such notice is received by the Administrative Agent (it being understood that no such supplement to the list of Disqualified Lenders shall operate to disqualify any Person that is already a Lender).

Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country that is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country that is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

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Early Opt-in Effective Date” means, with respect to any Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to the Lenders, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

Early Opt-in Election” means the occurrence of:

(1) a notification by the Administrative Agent to (or the request by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to notify) each of the other parties hereto that at least five currently outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time contain (as a result of amendment or as originally executed) a SOFR-based rate (including SOFR, a term SOFR or any other rate based upon SOFR) as a benchmark rate (and such syndicated credit facilities are identified in such notice and are publicly available for review), and

(2) the joint election by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower to trigger a fallback from USD LIBOR and the provision by the Administrative Agent of written notice of such election to the Lenders.

Earn-Out Obligations” those certain obligations of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary arising in connection with any acquisition of assets or businesses permitted under Section 6.6 to the seller of such assets or businesses and the payment of which is dependent on the future earnings or performance of such assets or businesses and contained in the agreement relating to such acquisition or in an employment agreement delivered in connection therewith.

ED” means the United States Department of Education and any successor agency administering student financial assistance under Title IV, HEA Programs.

Educational Agency”: means any entity or organization, whether governmental or non-governmental, that engages in granting or withholding educational approvals, administers student financial assistance to or for students of, or otherwise regulates educational institutions, programs or courses, in accordance with standards relating to the performance, operation, financial condition, privacy or academic standards of such institutions, programs or courses, including (i) ED, any Accrediting Body, any State Educational Agency, and (ii) any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction to enforce laws or regulations concerning misrepresentation, unfair, deceptive or abusive acts and practices, consumer fraud, or other consumer protection laws and regulations as such laws and regulations apply to educational institutions, programs and courses; provided, that the term Educational Agency does not include the data protection authority of any European Union member nation.

Educational Law”: means any federal, state, local or similar statute, law, regulation, ordinance, order, rule, official ED guidance or standard issued or administered by any Educational Agency.

Educational Services Agreement” means an agreement between any Credit Party and any educational institution for the provision of any services supporting the operation of such institution or its educational programs or courses in any respect, including but not limited to, as applicable: marketing; student recruiting or admissions; enrollment management; course support for online delivery of courses; the provision of technology; faculty recruiting or development, placement services for student internships, externships or clinical experiences; and student counseling.

 

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EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Yield” means, as to any Indebtedness as of any date of determination, the effective yield on such Indebtedness in the reasonable determination of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower and consistent with generally accepted financial practices, taking into account the applicable interest rate margins, any interest rate floors (the effect of which floors shall be determined in a manner set forth in the proviso below) or similar devices and all fees, including upfront or similar fees or original issue discount (amortized over the shorter of (a) the remaining weighted average life to maturity of such Indebtedness and (b) the four years following the date of incurrence thereof) payable generally to lenders or other institutions providing such Indebtedness, but excluding any arrangement, structuring, ticking, commitment, underwriting or other similar fees payable in connection therewith and, if applicable, consent fees for an amendment (in each case regardless of whether any such fees are paid to or shared in whole or in part with any lender) and any other fees not paid to all relevant lenders generally; provided that with respect to any Indebtedness that includes a “LIBOR floor” or “Base Rate floor,” (i) to the extent that the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (with an Interest Period of one month) or Base Rate (without giving effect to any floors in such definitions), as applicable, on the date that the Effective Yield is being calculated is less than such floor, the amount of such difference shall be deemed added to the interest rate margin for such Indebtedness for the purpose of calculating the Effective Yield and (ii) to the extent that the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate (with an Interest Period of one month) or Base Rate (without giving effect to any floors in such definitions), as applicable, on the date that the Effective Yield is being calculated is greater than such floor, then the floor shall be disregarded in calculating the Effective Yield.

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.6(b)(iii), 10.6(b)(v) and 10.6(b)(vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.6(b)(iii)).

Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA (regardless of whether such plan is subject to ERISA, but other than any Multiemployer Plan or Foreign Pension Plan) which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed by, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, solely with respect to such a plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, or with respect to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any material liability.

Environmental Claim” means any notice of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other written notice or order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) in connection with any Hazardous Material or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity; or (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health or safety (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials), natural resources or the environment.

 

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Environmental Laws” means any and all current or future foreign or domestic, federal or state (or any subdivision of either of them) Laws, Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of Governmental Authorities relating to (i) pollution or the protection of the environment, including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity; (ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials; or (iii) occupational safety and health (with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials), industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare (in each case with respect to exposure to Hazardous Materials), in any manner applicable to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any real property thereof.

Equity Interests” means all shares of capital stock, partnership interests (whether general or limited), limited liability company membership interests, beneficial interests in a trust and any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of profits or losses, or distributions of assets, of an issuing Person, including any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing, but excluding any debt Securities convertible into or exchangeable for such Equity Interests (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Convertible Bond Indebtedness).

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and any successor thereto.

ERISA Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code of which that Person is a member; (ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii) solely for purposes of Section 412 of the Code, any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Code of which that Person is a member.

ERISA Event” means (i) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30 day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) with respect to any Pension Plan, the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Code or, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, the failure to make any required contribution in accordance with Section 515 of ERISA except where such failure to make a required contribution does not result and could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or the application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard or an extension of any amortization period, within the meaning of Sections 412(c) or 431(d) of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition

 

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which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability on any ERISA Party pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) with respect to a Multiemployer Plan, the withdrawal of any ERISA Party in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) if there is any potential liability to the ERISA Parties therefor, or the receipt by any ERISA Party of notice that such plan is in insolvency pursuant to Section 4245 of ERISA, or that such plan is to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA (to the extent such termination will or is likely to result in a liability to the ERISA Parties) or under 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission which could reasonably be expected to give rise to the imposition on the ERISA Parties of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of Title 26 of the Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan to the extent that such fines, penalties, taxes or related charges result in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (ix) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits), suit, action, proceeding, hearing, audit or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, investigation against any Foreign Pension Plan or the assets thereof, Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against an ERISA Party in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan or Foreign Pension Plan that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Code, or the receipt of notice of the failure of a Foreign Pension Plan to qualify for any applicable tax-favored status or to be registered and maintained in good standing with the applicable Governmental Authority; or (xi) the imposition of a lien on the assets of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) or Section 4068 of ERISA.

Erroneous Payment” as defined in Section 9.14(a).

ERISA Party” means the Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of either of the foregoing.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements” means for any day as applied to a Eurodollar Loan, the aggregate (without duplication) of the maximum rates (expressed as a decimal fraction) of reserve requirements in effect on such day (including basic, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserves) under any regulations of the Board of Governors or other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction with respect thereto dealing with reserve requirements prescribed for eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as “Eurocurrency Liabilities” in Regulation D of the Board of Governors) maintained by a member bank of the Federal Reserve System.

Eurodollar Base Rate” means (i) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate which appears on the page of the applicable Bloomberg LIBOR Screen Page which displays an average London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date, (ii) in the event the rate referenced in the preceding clause (i) does not appear on such page or service or if such page or service shall cease to be available, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate on such other page or other service which displays an average London interbank offered rate administered by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date or (iii) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) are not available, the rate per annum equal to the average quotation rate offered by three first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) in Dollars of amounts in same day funds with maturities comparable to such period as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date.

 

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Eurodollar Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

Eurodollar Rate” means with respect to each day during each Interest Period pertaining to a Eurodollar Loan, a rate per annum equal to (x) the Eurodollar Base Rate as of such date divided by (y) (1.00 minus Eurocurrency Reserve Requirements as of such date).

Event of Default” as defined in Section 8.1.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any successor statute.

Excluded Assets” shall have the meaning given to Excluded Assets in the Collateral Agreement.

Excluded Earnout” means any obligations of Borrower or any Subsidiary to pay additional consideration in connection with an acquisition if such additional consideration is payable (i) in capital stock or Equity Interests, (ii) in cash or (iii) any combination of the foregoing.

Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) Immaterial Subsidiaries and Unrestricted Subsidiaries, (b) any Subsidiary that is prohibited or restricted by applicable law, rule or regulation or by any contractual obligation existing on the Closing Date or at the time of acquisition thereof after the Closing Date, in each case, from guaranteeing or granting a Lien on its assets to secure the Obligations or which would require governmental (including regulatory) consent, approval, license or authorization to provide a bank guarantee unless such consent, approval, license or authorization has been received, (c) not-for-profit Subsidiaries, (d) (i) any direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiary that is a controlled foreign corporation within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code (a “CFC”), (ii) any direct or indirect subsidiary of a CFC, (iii) any Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company and (iv) any direct or indirect Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company, (e) special purpose entities (including any securitization vehicle (or similar entity)), (f) any Subsidiary acquired pursuant to an acquisition permitted under this Agreement financed with secured Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.1(q) and any Subsidiary thereof that guarantees such Indebtedness (in each case to the extent such secured Indebtedness prohibits such Subsidiary from becoming a Guarantor), (g) any other Subsidiary with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the cost or other consequences of guaranteeing the Obligations would be excessive in view of the benefits to be obtained by the Lenders therefrom, (h) any captive insurance Subsidiary and (i) any other Subsidiary of the Borrower, for so long as such Subsidiary would not be able to execute a guaranty or pledge, as applicable, without giving rise to material adverse tax consequences (including as a result of any law or regulation in any non-U.S. jurisdiction similar to Section 956 of the Code).    Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the “Company” (under and as defined in the Circuit Acquisition Agreement, but for the avoidance of doubt, not the Circuit Seller) constitute an “Excluded Subsidiary” for any purpose under this Agreement.

 

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Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, (a) any Swap Contract if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, as applicable, such Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Guarantor’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to any applicable keep well, support, or other agreement for the benefit of such Guarantor and any and all guarantees of such Guarantor’s Swap Obligations by other Credit Parties) at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor, or a grant by such Guarantor of a security interest, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or (b) any other Swap Obligation designated as an “Excluded Swap Obligation” of such Guarantor as specified in any agreement between the relevant Credit Parties and counterparty applicable to such Swap Obligations. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the applicable Commitment or, if such Lender did not fund the applicable Loan pursuant to a prior Commitment, on the date such Lender acquires the applicable interest in such Loan (in each case, other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 2.18 or Section 2.19) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(g) and (d) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

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Executive Order No. 13224” means that certain Executive Order No. 13224, effective September 24, 2001, as the same has been, or shall hereafter be, renewed, extended, amended or replaced.

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2020, by and among the Borrower, Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., as administrative agent and the lenders party and other financial institutions party thereto (as amended from time to time prior to the Closing Date).

Existing Letters of Credit” means each letter of credit issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule 1.1(a).

Facility” means the Term Loan Facilities or the Revolving Credit Facility.

Fair Share” as defined in Section 7.2.

Fair Share Contribution Amount” as defined in Section 7.2.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations thereunder or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to current Section 1471(b)(1) (or any amended or successor version described above) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules, or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities and implementing such Sections of the Code.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided, (i) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average of quotations for the day of such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

FEMA” means the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that administers the NFIP.

Financial Model” the financial model and other financial information delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders on May 7, 2021.

Financial Officer Certification” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the chief financial officer (or comparable officer) of the Borrower that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

 

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FIRREA” means the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989.

Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries ending on December 31 of each calendar year, as may be adjusted pursuant to this Agreement.

Flood Notice” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 5.12(a)(v)(B).

Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to USD LIBOR.

Foreign Lender” means (i) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (ii) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

Foreign Pension Plan” means any plan, fund (including, without limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program established or maintained outside of the United States by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries primarily for the benefit of employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries residing outside of the United States that provides, or results in, retirement income, a deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be made upon termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to ERISA or the Code.

Foreign Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary Holding Company” means any Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower substantially all of the assets of which consist of the Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and other Securities) of one or more Controlled Foreign Corporations or other Foreign Subsidiary Holding Companies.

Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

Funding Date” means the date on which the Initial Term Loans are funded (but in no event later than one Business Day after the Closing Date).

Funding Guarantor” as defined in Section 7.2.

Funding Notice” means a written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 or any other form reasonably approved by the Administrative Agent.

GAAP” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.2, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

 

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Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

Granting Lender” as defined in Section 10.6(e)(ii).

Grantor” as defined in the Collateral Agreement.

Guaranteed Obligations” as defined in Section 7.1.

Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a signatory hereto or that executes a Counterpart Agreement until such time as such Restricted Subsidiary is released in accordance with Section 7.12.

Guaranty” means the guaranty of each Guarantor set forth in Section 7.

Hazardous Materials” means any hazardous or toxic chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the environment, in each case due to its dangerous and deleterious properties or characteristics.

Hazardous Materials Activity” means any past, current, proposed or threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials, including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence, existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement, generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement, removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of the foregoing.

Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the Laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by Law, under such applicable Laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable Laws now allow.

Historical Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and the related consolidated statements of operations, and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows such Fiscal Year.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) whose total assets as of the most recent available quarterly or year-end financial statements after giving Pro Forma Effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, divisions or lines of business since the start of such four quarter period and on or prior to the date of acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary do not exceed 5.00% of the

 

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consolidated total assets (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date and (b) whose revenues for the most recently ended four quarter period for which financial statements are available do not exceed 5.00% of the consolidated revenues (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that (i) the total assets of all such Restricted Subsidiaries as of the most recent available quarterly or year-end financial statements shall not exceed 15.00% of the consolidated total assets (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at such date and (ii) the revenues of all such Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four-quarter period for which financial statements are available after giving Pro Forma Effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, divisions or lines of business since the start of such four quarter period and on or prior to the date of acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary shall not exceed 15.00% of the consolidated revenues (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP. The Borrower may change the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Immaterial Subsidiary by providing written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower formed or acquired after the Closing Date, as applicable, that meets the requirements of an “Immaterial Subsidiary” set forth herein shall be deemed designated as an “Immaterial Subsidiary” unless the Borrower otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent in writing.    Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the “Company” (under and as defined in the Circuit Acquisition Agreement, but for the avoidance of doubt, not the Circuit Seller) constitute an “Immaterial Subsidiary” for any purpose under this Agreement.

Incremental Equivalent Debt” means Indebtedness issued in accordance with Section 2.25 consisting of one or more series of junior lien term loans or notes, subordinated notes or senior unsecured notes, and, in the case of any issuance of notes, issued in a public offering, Rule 144A or other private placement transaction, a bridge facility in lieu of the foregoing, or junior lien or subordinated loans, secured or unsecured mezzanine Indebtedness or debt securities, in each case subject to the terms set forth in Section 2.25 and, if secured, shall be secured on a junior lien basis to the Initial Term Loan and shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Incremental Facility” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Facility Effective Date” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Lender” means any Person that makes a Loan pursuant to Section 2.22, or has a commitment to make a Loan pursuant to Section 2.22.

Incremental Revolving Commitment” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Revolving Increase” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Revolving Joinder” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Revolving Loans” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Term Facility” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Term Facility Maturity Date” means, with respect to any series or tranche of Incremental Term Loans established pursuant to an Incremental Term Joinder, the maturity date therefor as set forth in such Incremental Term Joinder.

 

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Incremental Term Joinder” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Term Loan Commitment” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Incremental Term Loans” has the meaning as defined in Section 2.22.

Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means, without duplication, (i) indebtedness for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, lease payments under operating leases); (iii) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services, including earn-outs earned but past due (excluding trade or similar payables, accrued income taxes, VAT, deferred taxes, sales taxes, equity taxes and accrued liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of such Person’s business and excluding Excluded Earnouts); (iv) the undrawn face amount of any letter of credit, bankers’ acceptances, bank guarantees, surety bonds, performance bonds, and similar instruments issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings; (v) Disqualified Equity Interests; (vi) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the Indebtedness of another; (vii) any obligation of such Person in respect of the Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) hereof the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the Indebtedness of the primary obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof; (viii) any liability of such Person for the Indebtedness of another in respect of the Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (vi) hereof through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or (b) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (a) or (b) of this clause (viii), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (vii) above; (ix) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract; and (x) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (ix) above secured by a Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the Indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the credit of that Person; provided, the amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date; provided, further that the following shall not constitute Indebtedness: (i) any right of use liabilities recorded in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), (ii) liabilities recorded under GAAP related to lease accounting (ASC 840) (other than in respect of capital leases), (iii) any liabilities resulting from equity awards accounted for as a liability, (iv) prepaid or deferred revenue arising in the ordinary course of business and purchase price holdbacks arising in the ordinary course of business in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy unperformed obligations of the seller of such asset, (v) Capped Call Transactions, (vi) purchase price adjustments and Earn-Out obligations (until such obligations or adjustments become a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and solely if not paid after becoming due and payable), (vii) royalty payments made in the ordinary course of business in respect of licenses (to the extent such licenses are permitted hereby), (viii) any accruals for payroll and other non-interest bearing liabilities accrued in the ordinary course of business, including tax accruals, (ix) deferred rent obligations, taxes and compensation, (x) customary payables with respect to money orders or wire transfers, (xi) customary obligations under employment arrangements, (xii) obligations in respect of any license, permit or other approval arising in the ordinary course of business, and (xiii) any obligations attributable to the exercise of appraisal rights and the settlement or resolution of any claims or actions (whether actual, contingent or potential) with respect thereto.

 

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Indemnified Taxes” means (i) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Credit Document and (ii) to the extent not otherwise described in (i), Other Taxes.

Indemnitee” as defined in Section 10.3(a).

Initial Term Loan” means a term loan made by the Lenders on the Funding Date to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1(a).

Initial Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund an Initial Term Loan and “Initial Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all of the Lenders in the aggregate. The amount of each Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment, if any, is set forth on Appendix A or in the applicable Assignment and Assumption, subject to any adjustment or reduction pursuant to the terms and conditions hereof. The aggregate amount of the Initial Term Loan Commitments as of the Closing Date is $475,000,000.

Initial Term Loan Facility” means the Initial Term Loan Commitments and the provisions herein related to the Initial Term Loans.

Initial Term Loan Maturity Date” means December 28, 2024.

Intellectual Property” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Collateral Agreement.

Intellectual Property Security Agreement” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Collateral Agreement.

Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) an intercreditor agreement governing the Lien priorities among the Obligations and any Incremental Equivalent Debt in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent or (b) any form of first lien/first lien intercreditor agreement or first lien/second lien intercreditor agreement required by the provider of the applicable program under which Permitted COVID Senior Lien Indebtedness is incurred in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Interest Payment Date” means with respect to (i) any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date and the final maturity date of such Loan; and (ii) any Eurodollar Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan.

Interest Period” means, in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, an interest period of one, three, or six, as selected by the Borrower, (i) initially, commencing on the Funding Date and ending on the last Business Day of such period, and (ii) thereafter commencing on the day

 

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on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires and ending on the last Business Day of the next succeeding one-month, three, or six, (as selected by the Borrower in the Conversion/Continuation Notice and); provided, (a) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day; (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject to clause (c), of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; and (c) no Interest Period with respect any Initial Term Loan shall extend beyond the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

Investment” means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Securities, Equity Interests or any other assets constituting a business line or unit of, or a division of, or make any other investment in, any other Person ; and (ii) any direct or indirect loan, advance or capital contribution by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any other Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment at any time shall be the amount actually invested (measured at the time made), without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment less any returns to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such Investment made in cash or Cash Equivalent; provided that, the aggregate amount of such returns shall not exceed the original amount of such Investment.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

Junior Financing” means Junior Indebtedness or any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, in each case, that is required to be subordinated in payment, lien priority or any other manner to the Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Convertible Bond Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be Junior Financing unless such Convertible Bond Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations.

Junior Financing Documentation” means any documentation governing any Junior Financing.

Junior Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of any Person so long as (a) such Indebtedness is either unsecured or Subordinated Indebtedness or Second Lien Indebtedness; and (b) if such Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness or Second Lien Indebtedness, the other terms and conditions contained in the relevant definitions thereof shall be satisfied. For the avoidance of doubt, the Senior Notes and any Permitted Refinancing (but not a conversion thereof into Equity Interests) thereof shall be Junior Indebtedness.

Junior Restricted Financing” as defined in Section 6.3.

Laws” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, guidances, guidelines, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, codes, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, governmental agreements and governmental restrictions, whether now or hereafter in effect.

 

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LCA Election” means the Borrower’s election to treat a Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder as a Limited Condition Acquisition.

LCA Test Date” as defined in Section 1.9.

Lender” means (a) at any time on or prior to the Funding Date, any Lender that has an Initial Term Loan Commitment at such time and (b) at any time after the Funding Date, any Lender that holds Term Loans, or Term Loan Commitments at such time or any Incremental Revolving Commitments.

Lender Affiliated Parties” as defined in Section 10.22.

Lender Party” as defined in Section 10.17.

Lien” means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, but not including the interest of a lessor under a lease which is not a Capital Lease. For the avoidance of doubt, Convertible Bond Indebtedness and Capped Call Transactions, in each case, shall not constitute Liens.

Limited Condition Acquisition” any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted hereunder by Borrower or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries whose consummation is not conditioned on the availability of, or on the obtaining of, third party financing.

Liquidity” means the amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, plus the unused commitments under any revolving facility then if effect.

Loan” means a Term Loan and any extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower pursuant to any Incremental Revolving Joinder.

Margin Stock” has the meaning assigned thereto in Regulation U of the Board of Governors.

Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have (i) a material adverse effect on the business, assets, results of operations or financial condition of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (it being understood and agreed that any event, change or condition attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic shall not be deemed to be a Material Adverse Effect) or (ii) a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of Agent and any other Secured Party under the Credit Documents, taken as a whole, including the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of the Credit Documents.

 

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Material Indebtedness” means (i) any Incremental Equivalent Debt and (ii) Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) of any one or more of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least the lesser of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) any “material indebtedness”, “threshold amount” or similar threshold amount under any Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents.

Material Real Estate” means any wholly-owned, fee-owned Real Estate Asset having a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000.

Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the Initial Term Loans, the Term Loan Maturity Date, (b) with respect to any tranche of Extended Term Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Extension Request accepted by the respective Lender or Lenders, (c) with respect to any Specified Refinancing Term Loans, the final maturity date as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment and (d) with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, the applicable Incremental Term Facility Maturity Date; provided that if any such day is not a Business Day, the applicable Maturity Date shall be the Business Day immediately succeeding such day.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Mortgage” means a mortgage in form and substance reasonably agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Mortgaged Property” means each Material Real Estate for which a Mortgage is required pursuant to Section 5.12.

Multiemployer Plan” means any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed to by, the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates, or with respect to which the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any material liability.

NAIC” means The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and any successor thereto.

NFIP” means the National Flood Insurance Program created by the U.S. Congress pursuant to the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as revised by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 and the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, that mandates the purchase of flood insurance to cover real property improvements located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in participating communities and provides protection to property owners through a federal insurance program.

Note” means a Term Loan Note.

Notice” means a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice.

Notice Office” means the office of the Administrative Agent set forth on Appendix B hereto, or such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.

 

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Obligations” means (a) the Credit Document Obligations, (b) the Secured Cash Management Obligations and (c) the Secured Swap Obligations (excluding with respect to any Credit Party, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Credit Party).

Obligee Guarantor” as defined in Section 7.7.

OFAC” means the US Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control, or any successor thereto.

Organizational Documents” means (i) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association, constitution or organization and its by-laws (or other formative documents however described peculiar to the jurisdiction of the corporation in question); (ii) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership and its partnership agreement; (iii) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement; (iv) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization and its operating agreement; and (v) relative to any Person that is any other type of entity, such documents as shall be comparable to the foregoing. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Credit Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a Governmental Authority, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such Governmental Authority.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Credit Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Credit Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Credit Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.18 or Section 2.19).

Outstanding Amount” means with respect to the Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Specified Refinancing Revolving Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any Borrowings and prepayments or repayments of the Term Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Specified Refinancing Revolving Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date.

Owned IP” means all of the Intellectual Property owned, or purported to be owned, by the Borrower or any Credit Party or any Restricted Subsidiary of a Credit Party.

Participant” as defined in Section 10.6(d).

Participant Register” as defined in Section 10.6(d).

PATRIOT Act” means USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act, Title III of Pub. L. 109-177.

 

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Payment Office” means the account of the Administrative Agent as provided to the Borrower and the Lenders in writing or such other account as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate in writing as such to the Borrower and Lenders.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

Permitted Acquisition” means (a) the Circuit Acquisition and (b) any other acquisition, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the Equity Interests of, or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided, in the case of clause (b), that:

(i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result immediately therefrom;

(ii) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;

(iii) in the case of the acquisition of Equity Interests, all of the Equity Interests (except for any such Equity Interests in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law) acquired or otherwise issued by such Person or any newly formed Restricted Subsidiary in connection with such acquisition shall be owned 100% by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary or the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall have offered to purchase 100% of such Equity Interests, and the Borrower shall take, or cause to be taken, each of the actions set forth in Sections 5.12 and 5.13, as applicable, within the time period(s) set forth therein; and

(iv) the total consideration (exclusive of any consideration (i) consisting of common stock of the Borrower or (ii) permitted under the Available Amount) paid in connection with each Permitted Acquisition of Persons that do not become Credit Parties or assets that are not acquired by a Credit Party (including any Earn-Out Obligations but excluding any Indebtedness of any Person acquired that is assumed by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following such acquisitions to the extent permitted under Section 6.1(q)) shall not exceed $50,000,000.

Permitted COVID Senior Lien Indebtedness” means Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 6.1(s) that is secured by a Lien but no greater than pari passu in right of priority with the Lien securing the Obligations.

Permitted Encumbrance” as defined in Section 6.2(b).

Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents” means the credit agreement and other documentation in respect of any Incremental Equivalent Debt.

Permitted Lien” means each Lien permitted pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

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Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other reasonable amounts paid, and fees and expenses, commissions, underwriting discounts and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(j), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a weighted average life to maturity equal to or greater than the weighted average life to maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (c) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is secured, such Indebtedness after being so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended continues to be secured in right of payment and priority to the Obligations on the same basis as the Indebtedness being so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (d) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such Indebtedness after modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension continues to be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended, (e) any Indebtedness after modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension shall not receive any credit support or enhancement, including in the form of letters of credit or surety bonds and (f) the proceeds of the newly incurred Indebtedness shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to repay the refinanced Indebtedness on a dollar for dollar basis.

Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, joint ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

Platform” as defined in Section 10.1(d)(i).

Pledged Equity Interests” has the meaning specific in the Collateral Agreement.

Prime Rate” means a variable per annum rate, as of any date of determination, equal to the rate as of such date published in the “Money Rates” section of The Wall Street Journal as being the “Prime Rate” (or, if more than one rate is published as the Prime Rate, then the highest of such rates). The Prime Rate will change as of the date of publication in The Wall Street Journal of a Prime Rate that is different from that published on the preceding Business Day. In the event that The Wall Street Journal shall, for any reason, fail or cease to publish the Prime Rate, the Administrative Agent shall choose a reasonably comparable index or source to use as the basis for the Prime Rate.

Privacy, Data Security and Consumer Protection Laws” means all applicable laws, regulations, and legally binding guidelines concerning the collection, receiving, processing, handling, disposal, privacy, protection, accessing, using, disclosing, electronically transmitting, securing, sharing, transferring and storing of Protected Information.

 

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Pro Forma Basis,” “Pro Forma Compliance” and “Pro Forma Effect” mean, with respect to the calculation of any test, financial ratio, basket or covenant under this Agreement, including the Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, the minimum required Recurring Revenues and the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Interest Expense, Consolidated Net Income, Consolidated Total Assets, and Recurring Revenues of any Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of any date, that pro forma effect will be given to the Transactions, any Specified Transactions, any acquisition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, Investment, any issuance, incurrence, assumption or repayment or redemption of Indebtedness (including Indebtedness issued, incurred or assumed or repaid or redeemed as a result of, or to finance, any relevant transaction and for which any such test, financial ratio, basket or covenant is being calculated), any issuance or redemption of Equity Interests, all sales, transfers and other dispositions or discontinuance of any Subsidiary, line of business, division, segment or operating unit, any operational change (including the entry into any material contract or arrangement) or any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary to an Unrestricted Subsidiary or of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case that have occurred during the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period of such Person being used to calculate such test, financial ratio, basket or covenant (the “Reference Period”), or subsequent to the end of the Reference Period but prior to such date or prior to or substantially simultaneously with the event for which a determination under this definition is made (including (i) any such event occurring at a Person who became a Restricted Subsidiary of the subject Person or was merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the subject Person or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the subject Person after the commencement of the Reference Period and (ii) with respect to any proposed Investment or acquisition of the subject Person for which committed financing is or is sought to be obtained, the event for which a determination under this definition is made may occur after the date upon which the relevant determination or calculation is made), in each case, as if each such event occurred on the first day of the Reference Period; provided that (x) pro forma effect will be given to Pro Forma Cost Savings and (y) no amount shall be added back pursuant to this definition to the extent duplicative of amounts that are otherwise included in computing Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period; provided, however, that (1) notwithstanding the foregoing, pro forma effect will not be given to any interest expense attributable to any Indebtedness incurred or Equity Interests issued or, in each case, assumed in anticipation of, or in connection with, the transaction or series of related transactions for which such computation is required to be made, and (2) to the extent not already covered above, any such calculation may include adjustments calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X.

Any pro forma calculation may include, without limitation, (1) adjustments calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X and (2) adjustments calculated to give effect to any Pro Forma Cost Savings; provided that any such adjustments that consist of reductions in costs and other operating improvements or synergies shall be calculated in accordance with, and satisfy the requirements specified in, the definition of “Pro Forma Cost Savings”.

Pro Forma Cost Savings” means, without duplication of any amounts referenced in the definition of “Pro Forma Basis,” an amount equal to the amount of cost savings, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and synergies, in each case, related to mergers or other business combinations, acquisitions or other investments, divestitures, restructurings, integration, insourcing initiatives, operating improvements, cost savings initiatives or any other initiative, action or event (including optimization actions and other revenue enhancements), including any of the foregoing consummated prior to the Closing Date, in each case, projected in good faith to be realized (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such items had been realized on the first day of such period) as a result of actions taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken by the Borrower (or any successor thereto) or any Restricted Subsidiary, net of the amount of actual benefits realized or expected

 

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to be realized during such period that are otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA from such actions; provided that such cost savings, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and synergies are reasonably identifiable (as determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer, in his or her capacity as such and not in his or her personal capacity, of the Borrower (or any successor thereto) or of any direct or indirect parent of the Borrower) and are reasonably anticipated to result from actions taken or with respect to which substantial steps have been taken or are expected to be taken within the first eighteen (18) months after the consummation or commencement, as applicable, of any change that is expected to result in such cost savings, operating expense reductions, operating improvements or synergies; provided, further, that the aggregate amount of Pro Forma Cost Savings shall not exceed, when combined with the addbacks made pursuant to clause (a)(xiii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA, 35% of Consolidated EBITDA in any period of four consecutive quarters, after giving effect to the Pro Forma Cost Savings for such period; provided, further, that no cost savings, operating expense reductions, operating improvements and synergies shall be added pursuant to this definition to the extent duplicative of any expenses or charges otherwise added to Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA, whether through a pro forma adjustment, addback, exclusion or otherwise, for such period.

Pro Rata Share” means, with respect to any Lender, with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to each Term Loan Facility, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Term Loan Exposure of such Lender under such Term Loan Facility by (b) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all of the Lenders under such Term Loan Facility.

Protected Information” means any information that: (i) identifies (or in combination with other information may identify), relates to, describes, is capable of being associated with, or can be reasonably linked, directly or indirectly, to a natural person, including an individual’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, photograph, social security number or tax identification number, credit card number, bank account number, biometric identifiers, persistent identifiers including IP address; as well as medical, health or insurance information; or (ii) is “personal information”, “personal data” or similar defined term protected by one or more of the applicable Privacy, Security and Consumer Protection Laws.

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of a Person incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or cost of acquisition, repair, construction or improvement of property or assets used or useful in the business of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Public Company Costs” means any costs, fees and expenses associated with, in anticipation of, or in preparation for, compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith and costs, fees and expenses relating to compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (as applicable to companies with equity or debt securities held by the public), the rules of national securities exchanges for companies with listed equity or debt securities, directors’ or managers’ compensation, fees and expense reimbursements, any charges, expenses, costs, accruals, reserves, payments, fees and expenses or loss of any kind relating to investor relations, shareholder meetings and reports to shareholders and debtholders, directors’ and officers’ insurance and other executive costs, legal and other professional fees and listing fees.

 

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Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests (other than warrants, rights or options referenced in the definition thereof) that (a) does not have a maturity and is not mandatorily redeemable; (b) by its terms (or by the terms of any employee stock option, incentive stock or other equity-based plan or arrangement under which it is issued or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (x) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable (excluding any mandatory redemption resulting from an asset sale or change in control so long as no payments in respect thereof are due or owing, or otherwise required to be made, until all Obligations have been paid in full), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, or requires the payment of any cash dividend or any other scheduled payment constituting a return of capital, in each case, at any time on or after the ninety-first (91st) day following the latest Term Loan Maturity Date, or (y) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Equity Interests referred to in clause (x) above, in each case, at any time on or after the ninety-first (91st) day following the latest Term Loan Maturity Date; or (c) is preferred stock, so long as (x) no holder thereof can require the issuer to redeem any such stock for cash prior to the latest Term Loan Maturity Date and (y) any redemption feature of such stock is available only if permitted under this Agreement.

Real Estate Asset” means an interest in any real property.

Recipient” means (i) any Agent or (ii) any Lender, as applicable.

Recurring Revenues” means, with respect to any measurement period, all recurring maintenance and subscription and recurring support revenues, and other recurring revenues of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, which recurring revenues are earned during such period identified within the Borrower’s financial statements for the fiscal quarter most recently ended for which financial statements have been delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as adjusted to exclude the impact of purchase accounting, calculated on a basis consistent with the financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to the Closing Date. There shall be included in determining Recurring Revenues for any period, without duplication, the actual amount of Recurring Revenues of any Restricted Subsidiary acquired by the Borrower or Unrestricted Subsidiary redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary (solely to the extent acquired or redesignated, as applicable, during such period) for such period, on a consolidated based for such acquired or designated Restricted Subsidiary (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such acquisition or designation). For purposes of Section 6.14, there shall be excluded in determining Recurring Revenues for any period the actual amount for such period of Recurring Revenues of any Restricted Subsidiary sold or otherwise disposed of or classified as discontinued operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all as determined on a consolidated basis for such sold, discontinued or designated Restricted Subsidiary (including the portion thereof occurring prior to such sale, transfer, disposition or designation).

Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders providing Specified Refinancing Debt, effecting the incurrence of such Specified Refinancing Debt in accordance with Section 2.23.

 

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Refinancing Notes” means one or more series of senior unsecured notes, senior secured notes secured by a lien on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans, senior secured notes secured by a lien on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Initial Term Loans or senior secured notes secured by a Lien on assets not constituting Collateral, in each case issued in respect of a refinancing of outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower under any one or more Term Loan Tranches; provided that, (a) if guaranteed, such Refinancing Notes shall not be guaranteed by any Person that is not a Credit Party or does not become a Credit Party substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Refinancing Notes; (b) such Refinancing Notes, (x) if secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, shall not be secured by any assets other than assets that constitute Collateral, and (y) at the option of the Borrower, shall be secured by a lien on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans, secured by a lien on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Initial Term Loans, secured by a Lien on assets not constituting Collateral or unsecured; provided that if such Refinancing Notes are secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, such Refinancing Notes shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; (c) no Refinancing Notes shall (i) mature prior to the latest Term Loan Maturity Date of the Term Loan Tranche being refinanced or (ii) be subject to any amortization prior to the final maturity thereof (except if such Refinancing Notes are in the form of term loans that are secured on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans, customary amortization not to exceed 1.0% per annum), or be subject to any mandatory redemption or prepayment provisions or rights (except (x) customary assets sale, casualty events or similar event, change of control provisions, special mandatory redemptions in connection with customary escrow arrangements and customary acceleration rights after an event of default and (y) customary “AHYDO” payments); (d) such Refinancing Notes shall have covenants and events of default (excluding optional prepayment and redemption terms) that are, taken as a whole, not more restrictive to the Borrowers than those applicable to the Initial Term Loans (taken as a whole) (except for (x) covenants and events of default applicable only to periods after the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date of and existing at the time of incurrence or issuance of such Refinancing Notes, (y) any financial maintenance covenant to the extent such covenant is also added for the benefit of the Lenders holding the Initial Term Loans, without further Lender approval or voting requirement and (z) that reflect market terms and conditions (taken as a whole) at the time of incurrence or issuance (as determined in good faith by the Borrower)) or otherwise customary for similar debt securities in light of then-prevailing market conditions at the time of issuance (as determined by the Borrower in good faith; provided that, at the Borrower’s option, delivery of a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent in good faith, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Refinancing Notes or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement set forth in this clause (d), shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent provides notice to the Borrower of its objection during such three Business Day (or shorter) period (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it objects)); (e) such Refinancing Notes may not have obligors or Liens that are more extensive than those which applied to the Indebtedness being refinanced (it being understood that the roles of such obligors as a borrower or a guarantor with respect to such obligations may be interchanged); and (f) the net cash proceeds of such Refinancing Notes shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the pro rata prepayment of outstanding Term Loans under the applicable Term Loan Tranche being so refinanced (or to the less than pro rata prepayment of the applicable outstanding Term Loans made by any Term Loan Lenders that will be purchasers of the Refinancing Notes, as approved by such Term Loan Lenders) and the payment of fees, expenses and premiums, if any, payable in connection therewith.

 

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Refinancing Notes Indentures” means, collectively, the indentures or other similar agreements pursuant to which any Refinancing Notes are issued, together with all instruments and other agreements in connection therewith, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, but only to the extent permitted under the terms of the Credit Documents.

Register” as defined in Section 10.6(c).

Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors, as in effect from time to time.

Regulation FD” means Regulation FD as promulgated by the US Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act and Exchange Act as in effect from time to time.

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, or leaching of any Hazardous Material into the environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material).

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

Remaining Obligations” means, as of any date of determination, the Obligations that as of such date of determination are Obligations under the Credit Documents that survive termination of the Credit Documents, but as of such date of determination are not due and payable and for which no claims have been made.

Removal Effective Date” as defined in Section 9.6(b).

Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50.0% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings, (b) aggregate unused Term Loan Commitments and (c) aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments; provided that the unused Term Loan Commitments of and unused Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

Resignation Effective Date” as defined in Section 9.6(a).

Resolution Authority” shall mean an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

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Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interest of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Persons thereof).

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Revolving Credit Commitments” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Incremental Revolving Commitments to the Borrower established pursuant to Section 2.22, as the same may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement. The Revolving Credit Commitments shall include all Incremental Revolving Commitments and Specified Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments.

Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments in respect of any Revolving Tranche at such time.

Revolving Credit Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment or a Revolving Credit Loan at such time.

Revolving Credit Loan” means a Loan made by a Revolving Credit Lender.

Revolving Tranche” means (a) the Revolving Credit Facility pursuant to which Incremental Revolving Loans are made under the Revolving Credit Commitments and (b) any Specified Refinancing Debt constituting revolving credit facility commitments, in each case, including the extensions of credit made thereunder. Revolving Tranches may be added after the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof, e.g., Incremental Revolving Commitments and Extended Revolving Commitments.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sales and Marketing Expense” means expenses incurred in connection with new degree program launches.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country or territory which is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions broadly restricting or prohibiting dealings with such country, territory or government.

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under Sanctions, including (i) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the United States (including by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any of its member states, Her Majesty’s Treasury, Switzerland or any other relevant authority, (ii) any Person located, organized or resident in, or any Governmental Authority or governmental instrumentality of, a Sanctioned Country or (iii) any Person 50% or more directly or indirectly owned by, controlled by, or acting for the benefit or on behalf of, any Person described in clauses (i) or (ii) hereof.

 

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Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes or restrictive measures enacted, imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (i) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, or the U.S. Department of Commerce; (ii) the United Nations Security Council; (iii) the European Union or any of its member states; (iv) Her Majesty’s Treasury; or (v) Switzerland.

Second Lien Indebtedness” means Junior Indebtedness of any Person that is secured by a junior Lien on the Collateral; provided that the holder of such Indebtedness executes and delivers an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Secured Cash Management Obligations” means the due and punctual payment and performance of all obligations of the Credit Parties in respect of any overdraft, reimbursement and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements and cash management services, corporate credit and purchasing cards and related programs or any automated clearing house transfers of funds (collectively, “Cash Management Services”) provided to any Credit Party (whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whenever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor)) that are (a) owed on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 1.1(b) or (b) incurred after the Closing Date to the extent that such obligations have been designated in writing by the Borrower and the provider of such Cash Management Services to the Administrative Agent as Secured Cash Management Obligations; it being understood that each such provider of such Cash Management Services to the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be deemed (i) to appoint the Administrative Agent as its agent under the applicable Credit Documents and (ii) to agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 9, Section 10.2, Section 10.14 and any applicable Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a Lender.

Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Collateral Agreement.

Secured Swap Obligations” means all obligations of the Borrower and the Guarantors under each Swap Contract that (a) is in effect on the Closing Date and set forth in Schedule 1.1(c) or (b) is entered into after the Closing Date to the extent that such obligations have been designated in writing by the Borrower and the counterparty to such Swap Contract to the Administrative Agent as Secured Swap Obligations (for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower may provide one notice to the Administrative Agent designating all Swap Contracts entered into under a specified Master Agreement as Secured Swap Obligations); it being understood that such counterparty shall be deemed (i) to appoint the Administrative Agent as its agent under the applicable Credit Documents and (ii) to agree to be bound by the provisions of Section 9, Section 10.2, Section 10.14 and any applicable Intercreditor Agreement as if it were a Lender.

Securities” means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible, subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as “securities” or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

 

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Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, and any successor statute.

Securities and Exchange Commission” means the US Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

Senior Notes” mean the Borrower’s convertible senior notes due 2025 issued pursuant to the Senior Notes Indenture.

Senior Notes Indenture” means that certain indenture governing the Senior Notes, dated April 23, 2020, between the Borrower and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee.

SOFR” means a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate) on the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org (or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the administrator of the secured overnight financing rate from time to time).

Solvency Certificate” means a Solvency Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (i) the sum of the debt (including contingent liabilities) of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not exceed the present fair saleable value (on a going concern basis) of the assets of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the capital of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small in relation to the business of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, contemplated as of the date hereof; and (iii) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, debts including current obligations beyond their ability to pay generally such debt as they mature in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Accounting Standards Codification 450, Contingencies).

SPC” as defined in Section 10.6(e)(ii).

Special Flood Hazard Area” means an area that FEMA’s current flood maps indicate has at least a one percent (1%) chance of a flood equal to or exceeding the base flood elevation (a 100-year flood) in any given year.

Specified Indebtedness” as defined in Section 8.1(b).

Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in Section 4.1(a) and (as it applies to the Credit Documents) (b), Section 4.3, Section 4.4(a), Section 4.6 (with respect to the entering into, borrowing under, guaranteeing under, and performance of the Credit Documents and the granting of Liens in the Collateral), Section 4.14, Section 4.15, Section 4.18, and Section 4.19(c) (with respect to the use of proceeds).

 

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Specified Existing Tranche” has the meaning specified in Section 2.24(a).

Specified Refinancing Agent” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23(a).

Specified Refinancing Debt” has the meaning specified in Section 2.23(a).

Specified Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).

Specified Refinancing Revolving Loans” means Specified Refinancing Debt constituting revolving loans.

Specified Refinancing Term Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.18(a).

Specified Refinancing Term Loans” means Specified Refinancing Debt constituting term loans.

Specified Transaction” means any incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness (excluding Indebtedness incurred for working capital purposes other than pursuant to this Agreement) or Investment (including any proposed Investment or acquisition) that results in a Person becoming a Subsidiary, any designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, any acquisition or any Asset Sale that results in a Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary of the Borrower, any Investment constituting an acquisition of assets constituting a business unit, line of business or division of another Person or any Asset Sale of a business unit, line of business or division of any Credit Party, in each case whether by merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise or any material restructuring of the Borrower or implementation of any initiative not in the ordinary course of business.

State Educational Agency” means any state or local educational licensing body that provides a license, permit, authorization or other approval necessary for an educational institution or other entity to operate or to provide educational programs or courses in that state.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means any unsecured Junior Indebtedness of the Borrower the payment of principal and interest of which and other obligations of the Borrower in respect thereof are subordinated to the prior payment in full of the Obligations on terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity deemed to constitute a subsidiary of such Person under GAAP. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a direct or indirect Subsidiary or direct or indirect Subsidiaries of the Borrower, unless the context otherwise requires.

 

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Swap Contract” means (i) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (ii) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement; provided that (x) no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Contract and (y) no Capped Call Transaction shall be a Swap Contract.

Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation to pay or perform under any Swap Contract.

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (i) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (ii) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (i), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

Term Loan” means an advance made by any Lender under any Term Loan Facility.

Term Loan Commitment” means, as to each Lender, (i) its Initial Term Loan Commitment, (ii) its Incremental Term Loan Commitment, or (iii) its Specified Refinancing Term Commitment. The amount of each Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment is as set forth in the definition thereof and the amount of each Lender’s other Term Loan Commitments shall be as set forth in the Assignment and Assumption, or in the amendment or agreement relating to the respective Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Specified Refinancing Term Commitment pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Term Loan Commitment, as the case may be, as such amounts may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

Term Loan Exposure” means, in the case of any Term Loan Facility, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans owing to a Lender under such Term Loan Facility; provided, at any time prior to the making of such Term Loans under such Term Loan Facility, the Term Loan Exposure of any Lender shall be equal to such Lender’s Term Loan Commitment under such Term Loan Facility.

 

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Term Loan Facility” means a facility in respect of any Term Loan Tranche (including any Incremental Term Facility with respect to any Term Loan Tranche), as the context may require.

Term Loan Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment or a Term Loan at such time.

Term Loan Maturity Date” means, with respect to the Initial Term Loans, the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date, and with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, Specified Refinancing Term Loans, or Extended Term Loans, the date set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Joinder or amendment applicable to such Loans.

Term Loan Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B.

Term Loan Tranche” means the respective facility and commitments utilized in making (or, where applicable, conversion of) Term Loans hereunder, with there being one Tranche on the Closing Date, i.e., Initial Term Loans and Initial Term Loan Commitments. Additional Term Loan Tranches may be added after the Closing Date pursuant to the terms hereof, e.g., Incremental Term Loans, Specified Refinancing Term Loans, Incremental Term Loan Commitments, Extended Term Loans and Specified Refinancing Term Commitments.

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable corresponding tenor, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans.

Tranche” means any Term Loan Tranche or any Revolving Tranche.

Test Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower ending on or prior to such date for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered under Section 5.1(a) or (b) or, with respect to any calculation made in connection with any Limited Condition Acquisition, calculation of Consolidated EBITDA, or calculation of the Recurring Revenue, at the request of Borrower, the most recently completed four consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower for which internally prepared financial statements are available (as determined in good faith by the Borrower).

Title Policy” means, with respect to any Mortgaged Property, an ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy or unconditional commitment therefor issued by one or more title companies reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent with respect to such Mortgaged Property, in an amount not less than the fair market value of such Mortgaged Property, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.

Transactions” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are a party and the making of the Borrowings hereunder, (b) all existing indebtedness for borrowed money under the Existing Credit Agreement and all related guaranties and security interests being terminated and released substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Term Loan Facility (or arrangements for such termination and release reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent being made), (c) to consummate Permitted Acquisitions and (d) the payment of all fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transactions described in the foregoing provisions of this definition (the “Transaction Costs”).

 

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Type of Loan” means a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided, if by reason of mandatory provisions of Law, the perfection, the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of the security interests of the Collateral Agent in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, the term “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

UK Financial Institution” shall mean any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” shall mean the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in paragraph (g) of Section 2.17.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Borrower designated by the Borrower as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 5.17 subsequent to the date hereof and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

USD LIBOR” means the London interbank offered rate for U.S. dollars.

Withholding Agent” means the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any other applicable withholding agent.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

 

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1.2 Accounting Terms.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the reconciliation statements provided for in Section 5.1(e), if applicable) (except for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end adjustments). If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or financial requirement set forth in any Credit Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to the Lenders) financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement which include a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Subject to the foregoing, calculations in connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions hereof shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the Historical Financial Statements except for any calculations otherwise permitted to be made in accordance with this Agreement to the extent not addressed in the preparation of the Historical Financial Statements. Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts referred to herein shall be made, without giving effect to any election under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 159 (or any other Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect, including Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” 820, ASC 825) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries at “fair value,” as defined therein.

1.3 Interpretation, Etc. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in any Credit Document), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Sections, Appendices, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Appendices, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (e) any reference to any Law herein shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such Law as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, Securities, accounts and contract rights. The term “enforceability” and its derivatives when used to describe the enforceability of an agreement shall mean that such agreement is

 

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enforceable except as enforceability may be limited by any Debtor Relief Law and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined as set forth in the UCC unless otherwise defined herein; provided, that to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the UCC shall govern.

1.4 Timing of Performance. Subject to Section 2.16(d), when the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation under any Credit Document is required to be performed on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

1.5 Currency Generally. For purposes of determining compliance with Section 6.1, Section 6.2 and Section 6.6 with respect to any amount of Indebtedness, Lien or Investment in a currency other than Dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of currency exchange occurring after the time such Indebtedness, Lien or Investment is incurred or granted (so long as such Indebtedness, Lien or Investment, at the time incurred or granted, made or acquired, was permitted hereunder).

1.6 Divisions. For all purposes under the Credit Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

1.7 Negative Covenant Compliance. For purposes of determining whether the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries comply with any exception to Section 6 where compliance with any such exception is based on a financial ratio or metric being satisfied as of a particular point in time, it is understood that (a) compliance shall be measured at the time when the relevant event is undertaken, as such financial ratios and metrics are intended to be “incurrence” tests and not “maintenance” tests, (b) correspondingly, any such ratio and metric shall only prohibit the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries from creating, incurring, assuming, suffering to exist or making, as the case may be, any new, for example, Liens, Indebtedness or Investments, but shall not result in any previously permitted, for example, Liens, Indebtedness or Investments ceasing to be permitted hereunder.

1.8 Calculations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the financial definitions of the Borrower shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis with respect to each Specified Transaction occurring during the applicable four quarter period to which such calculation relates, and/or subsequent to the end of such four-quarter period (including, with respect to any proposed Investment or acquisition pursuant to Rule 2.7 of The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (or a similar arrangement) for which committed financing is obtained or is sought to be obtained, the relevant determination or calculation may be made with respect to an event occurring or intended to occur subsequent to such four-quarter period). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of calculating any leverage ratio herein in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, (i) there shall be no netting of the cash proceeds proposed to be received in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (ii) with respect to revolving facilities or other available financing commitments, such facilities or commitments will not be given effect other than to the extent actually drawn in cash. Calculations on a Pro Forma Basis will be made by the Borrower in good faith (subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement) and may be based on internally available financial information or information reflected in annual, quarterly or monthly financial statements.

 

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1.9 Limited Condition Acquisitions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of (i) measuring the relevant financial ratios and basket availability with respect to the incurrence of any Indebtedness (including any Incremental Term Facilities or Incremental Revolving Increase) or Liens or the making of any Investments or Restricted Payments or (ii) determining compliance with the representations and warranties or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, in each case, in connection with a Limited Condition Acquisition, if Borrower has made an LCA Election with respect to such Limited Condition Acquisition, the date of determination of whether any such action is permitted hereunder shall be deemed to be the date on which the definitive documentation with respect to such Limited Condition Acquisition is entered into (the “LCA Test Date”) and, if, after giving Pro Forma Effect to the Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions to be entered into in connection therewith as if they had occurred at the beginning of the most recent Fiscal Quarter ending prior to the LCA Test Date, a Default or Event of Default shall not then have occurred and be continuing and Borrower could have taken such action on the relevant LCA Test Date in compliance with such financial ratio, basket, representation or warranty, such financial ratio, basket, representation or warranty and such condition with respect to the lack of Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have been complied with. For the avoidance of doubt, such ratios and other provisions shall not be tested at the time of the consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition and, if Borrower has made an LCA Election for any Limited Condition Acquisition, then in connection with any subsequent calculation of any financial ratio or basket availability on or following the relevant LCA Test Date and prior to the earlier of (x) the date on which such Limited Condition Acquisition is consummated or (y) the date the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Acquisition is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition, any such financial ratio or basket availability shall be calculated (and tested) on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Acquisition and other transactions in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) have been consummated until such time as the applicable Limited Condition Acquisition has actually closed or the definitive agreement with respect thereto has been terminated.

SECTION 2 LOANS

2.1 Term Loans.

(a) Initial Term Loan Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 3, each Lender severally agrees to make, on the Funding Date, an Initial Term Loan to the Borrower in an amount equal to such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment. The Borrower may make only one borrowing under each Initial Term Loan Commitment. Each Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment shall terminate immediately and without further action on the Funding Date after giving effect to the funding of such Lender’s Initial Term Loan Commitment on such date.

(b) Repayments and Prepayments. Any amount of the Initial Term Loans that is subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

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(c) Amortization. Subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 2.12, the Borrower shall repay Term Loans on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December (commencing on September 30, 2021) in the principal amount of Term Loans equal to (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Term Loans immediately after the funding thereof on the Funding Date multiplied by (ii) 0.25%.

(d) Maturity. To the extent not previously paid, all amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Initial Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

(e) Funding Notice. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a fully executed Funding Notice for the Initial Term Loans no later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least two (2) Business Days in advance of the Closing Date (or such later time as each Lender may agree) and, promptly upon receipt thereof, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing.

(f) Funding of Initial Term Loans. Each Lender shall make each Initial Term Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) to the Payment Office. Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified in Section 3 and receipt of all requested funds, the Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of the Initial Term Loans available to the Borrower on the Funding Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Initial Term Loans received by the Administrative Agent from the Lenders to be wired to the account of the Borrower or to such other account as may be designated in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

2.2 Pro Rata Shares. All Loans shall be made, and all participations purchased, by the Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that (i) the failure of any Lender to fund any such Loan shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation hereunder and (ii) no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby nor shall any Term Loan Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a result of a default by any other Lender in such other Lender’s obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder or purchase a participation required hereby.

2.3 Use of Proceeds.

(a) Margin Regulations. The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not use any portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension in any manner that causes such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors or any other regulation thereof applicable to Margin Stock.

(b) Anti-Corruption Laws, AML Laws and Sanctions. The Borrower shall not request any Loan, nor use, and shall not permit that its Restricted Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers and employees (in such individual’s capacity as such) to use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of any Loan, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Restricted Subsidiary, other Affiliate, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or AML Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the transactions contemplated hereunder, whether as underwriter, advisor lender, investor or otherwise).

 

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2.4 Evidence of Debt; Notes.

(a) Evidence of Debt. Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Borrower, absent manifest error; provided, failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect the Borrower’s Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; and provided; further, in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

(b) Notes. If so requested by any Lender by written notice to the Borrower at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date, or at any time thereafter, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.6) on the Closing Date (or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, promptly after the Borrower’s receipt of such notice) a Note or Notes to evidence such Lender’s applicable Loan.

2.5 Interest on Loans.

(a) Interest. Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made to repayment thereof (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at an interest rate equal to the Base Rate or the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, as applicable, plus the Applicable Margin for such Type of Loan.

(b) Interest Rate Election. The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan, and the Interest Period with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, shall be selected by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

(c) Interest Periods. In connection with Eurodollar Loans there shall be no more than ten Interest Periods outstanding at any time. In the event the Borrower fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a Eurodollar Loan) will be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of then-current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan will remain as, or (if not then outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event the Borrower fails to specify an Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. Promptly on each Interest Rate Determination Date, the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the Eurodollar Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and each Lender.

 

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(d) Computation of Interest. Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.5(a) shall be computed (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as the case may be, and (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a Eurodollar Loan, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such Eurodollar Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided, if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

(e) Interest Payable. Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan shall accrue on a daily basis and be payable in arrears in cash (i) on each Interest Payment Date applicable to that Loan; (ii) concurrently with any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) at maturity, including the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

2.6 Conversion and Continuation.

(a) Conversion. Subject to Section 2.15 and so long as no Event of Default under any of Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) shall have occurred and then be continuing and the Administrative Agent (acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders) shall not have delivered a notice revoking such conversion rights hereunder, the Borrower shall have the option to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan equal to $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided, a Eurodollar Loan may not be converted on a date other than the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable to such Eurodollar Loan unless the Borrower shall pay all amounts due under Section 2.15 in connection with any such conversion.

(b) Continuation. Subject to Section 2.15 and so long as no Event of Default under any of Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) shall have occurred and then be continuing and the Administrative Agent (acting upon the instructions of the Required Lenders) shall not have delivered a notice revoking such conversion rights hereunder, the Borrower shall also have the option, upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any Eurodollar Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $1,000,000 and integral multiples of $500,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Loan.

(c) Conversion/Continuation Notice. The Borrower shall deliver a Conversion/ Continuation Notice to the Administrative Agent at the Notice Office no later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any Eurodollar Loans shall be irrevocable on and after the date of receipt thereof by the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

 

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2.7 Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under any of Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g), the overdue portion of any principal amount of all Loans and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, any overdue interest payments on the Loans or any overdue premium, fees or other amounts owed hereunder not paid when due, in each case whether at stated maturity, by notice of prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise, shall bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) from the date of such Event of Default, payable on demand at a rate that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of any such overdue interest, overdue premium, fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Term Loans outstanding as Base Rate Loans). Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.7 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

2.8 Fees.

(a) Fees to Agents and Lenders. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon under the Agency Fee Letter and (ii) on the Closing Date (or, if applicable, the Funding Date), closing fees to the Lenders as separately agreed upon.

(b) Prepayment Premium. Upon the occurrence of an Applicable Premium Trigger Event, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Lenders, the Applicable Premium. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Credit Document, it is understood and agreed that if the Obligations are accelerated as a result of the occurrence and continuance of any Event of Default (including by operation of law or otherwise), the Applicable Premium, if any, determined as of the date of acceleration, will also be due and payable and will be treated and deemed as though the Term Loans were prepaid as of such date and shall constitute part of the Obligations for all purposes herein. Any Applicable Premium payable in accordance with this Section 2.8(b) shall be presumed to be equal to the liquidated damages sustained by the Lenders as the result of the occurrence of the Applicable Premium Trigger Event, and the Credit Parties agree that it is reasonable under the circumstances currently existing. The Applicable Premium, if any, shall also be payable in the event the Obligations (and/or this Agreement) are satisfied or released by foreclosure (whether by power of judicial proceeding), deed in lieu of foreclosure or by any other means. THE CREDIT PARTIES EXPRESSLY WAIVE THE PROVISIONS OF ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE STATUTE OR LAW THAT PROHIBITS OR MAY PROHIBIT THE COLLECTION OF THE FOREGOING APPLICABLE PREMIUM IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH ACCELERATION. The Credit Parties expressly agree that (i) the Applicable Premium is reasonable and is the product of an arm’s length transaction between sophisticated business people, ably represented by counsel, (ii) the Applicable Premium shall be payable notwithstanding the then prevailing market rates at the time payment is made, (iii) there has been a course of conduct between Lenders and the Credit Parties giving specific consideration in this transaction for such agreement to pay the Applicable Premium, (iv) the Credit Parties shall be estopped hereafter from claiming differently than as agreed to in this Section 2.8(b), (v) their agreement to pay the Applicable Premium is a material inducement to the Lenders to provide the Term Loan Commitments and make the Term Loans, and (vi) the Applicable Premium represents a good faith, reasonable estimate and calculation of the lost profits or damages of the Lenders and that it would be impractical and extremely difficult to ascertain the actual amount of damages to the Lenders or profits lost by the Lenders as a result of such Applicable Premium Trigger Event.

 

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2.9 Maturity. The outstanding Initial Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall be paid in full no later than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date.

2.10 Voluntary Prepayments. Any time and from time to time, with respect to any Type of Loan, the Borrower may prepay, without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.15(c) and 2.8(b)), any Loan on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of and integral multiples in excess of that amount, and upon delivery of the prepayment notice as set forth in the following table:

 

Type of Loan

   Minimum
Amount
     Integral
Multiple
     Prior Notice  

Base Rate Loans

   $ 1,000,000      $ 1,000,000        One Business Day  

Eurodollar Loans

   $ 1,000,000      $ 1,000,000        Three Business Days  

in each case given to the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, by 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date required and the Administrative Agent will promptly notify each applicable Lender of such prepayment. Upon delivery of the prepayment notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such written notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein; provided, such prepayment obligation may be conditioned on the occurrence of any subsequent event (including a Change of Control or refinancing transaction).

2.11 Mandatory Prepayments.

(a) Issuance of Debt. No later than the fifth Business Day following the date of receipt of the proceeds of the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (unless such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1), the Borrower shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds from such incurrence, net of any underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses and the amount of any reserves established by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case, in respect of such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Borrower at such time of net cash proceeds in the amount of such reduction; provided, further, that, after payment in full of all Obligations in respect of the Initial Term Loans (other than Remaining Obligations), the Borrower may use a portion of such net cash proceeds to prepay or repurchase any Incremental Equivalent Debt to the extent Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents require such a prepayment or repurchase thereof with the proceeds of such incurrence of Indebtedness, in each case in an amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) the amount required under the Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents and (ii) a pro rata payment amount based on the outstanding principal amounts of such Incremental Equivalent Debt and the Loans.

 

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(b) Asset Sales; Casualty and Condemnation. In the event and on each occasion that any net cash proceeds are received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of (1) any Asset Sale in reliance on Section 6.8(r) or (2) any Casualty Event, in an aggregate amount greater than $25,000,000 per Fiscal Year, the Borrower shall, within ten Business Days (or, if later, within ten Business Days after the later of the date the threshold referred to above is first exceeded and the date the relevant net cash proceeds are received) after such net cash proceeds are received, prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.12(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the net cash proceeds net of the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on the asset subject to such Asset Sale or Casualty Event and that is required to be repaid in connection with such Asset Sale or Casualty Event (other than Indebtedness under this Agreement or Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents), together with any applicable premiums, penalties, interest or breakage costs, any underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and expenses and the amount of any reserves established by the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries to fund contingent liabilities or remedy any underlying concern reasonably estimated to be payable, in each case, in respect of such event, provided that any reduction at any time in the amount of any such reserves (other than as a result of payments made in respect thereof) shall be deemed to constitute the receipt by the Borrower at such time of net cash proceeds in the amount of such reduction; provided, further, that, in the case of any Asset Sale in reliance on Section 6.8(r), so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, if the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries invest (or commit to invest) the net cash proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) within 18 months after receipt of such net cash proceeds in assets that are used or useful in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including acquisitions or other Investments permitted under Section 6.6 (other than cash and Cash Equivalents)), then no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of such net cash proceeds in respect of such event (or the applicable portion of such net cash proceeds, if applicable) except to the extent of any such net cash proceeds therefrom that have not been so invested (or committed to be invested) by the end of such 18 month period (or if committed to be so invested within such 18 month period, have not been so invested within 24 months after receipt thereof), at which time a prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such net cash proceeds that have not been so invested (or committed to be invested); provided, further, that, after payment in full of all Obligations in respect of the Initial Term Loans (other than Remaining Obligations), the Borrower may use a portion of such net cash proceeds to prepay or repurchase any Incremental Equivalent Debt to the extent Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents require such a prepayment or repurchase thereof with the proceeds of such Asset Sale, in each case in an amount not to exceed the lesser of (i) the amount required under the Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents and (ii) a pro rata payment amount based on the outstanding principal amounts of such Incremental Equivalent Debt and the Loans.

(c) Circuit Acquisition. In the event the Circuit Acquisition is not consummated on or before Circuit Acquisition Prepayment Date, the Borrower shall, within ten Business Days of such Circuit Acquisition Prepayment Date, prepay the Initial Term Loan in whole without premium or penalty (but subject to Section 2.15(c)) but any such prepayment shall be accompanied by a payment of all interest accrued on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment; provided, that, (x) if, on or prior to December 31, 2021, the Borrower and the Circuit Seller mutually agree to extend in writing the “outside date” (or similar term referenced in the Circuit Acquisition Agreement) of the Circuit Acquisition to a date later than December 31, 2021 and (y) the Circuit Acquisition is consummated on or prior to June 30, 2022, the Borrower shall not be required to make any mandatory prepayment of the Initial Term Loan pursuant to this clause (c).

 

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(d) Notice to the Administrative Agent. The Borrower shall deliver a prepayment notice to the Administrative Agent of any mandatory prepayment required to be made pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 2.11 at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) prior to the date of such prepayment provided, such prepayment obligation may be conditioned on the occurrence of such event (including a Change of Control or refinancing transaction). Each such prepayment notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the aggregate amount of such prepayment to be made by the Borrower. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of the contents of the Borrower’s prepayment notice. Any Lender may elect, by written notice to the Administrative Agent by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least one Business Day prior to the prepayment date, to decline all or any portion of any prepayment of its Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(b) (such amounts, “Declined Proceeds”). Any Lender that fails to provide written notice to the Administrative Agent in the time frame set forth above shall be deemed to have accepted the prepayment. Any Declined Proceeds shall be retained by the Borrower and added to the “Available Amount” in accordance with the terms of such definition.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 2.11, (i) to the extent that any or all of the net cash proceeds of any Asset Sale by a Foreign Subsidiary (or a Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary) (a “Foreign Disposition”) or the net cash proceeds of any Casualty Event from a Foreign Subsidiary (or a Domestic Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary) (a “Foreign Casualty Event”), in each case giving rise to a prepayment event pursuant to Section 2.11(b) is prohibited, restricted or delayed by applicable local law, rule or regulation (including, without limitation, financial assistance and corporate benefit restrictions and fiduciary and statutory duties of any director or officer of such Subsidiaries) from being repatriated to the Borrower or so prepaid or such repatriation or prepayment would present a material risk of liability for the applicable Restricted Subsidiary or its directors or officers (or gives rise to a material risk of breach of fiduciary or statutory duties by any director or officer), in each case, as determined by the Borrower in good faith, then the portion of such net cash proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in this Section 2.11 but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary and (ii) to the extent that the Borrower has determined in good faith that repatriation of any or all of the net cash proceeds of any Foreign Disposition or any Foreign Casualty Event, in each case giving rise to a prepayment event pursuant to Section 2.11(b), would result in adverse tax or regulatory consequences (as determined by the Borrower in good faith), the net cash proceeds so affected will not be required to be applied to repay Term Loans at the times provided in this Section 2.11 but may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary.

2.12 Application of Prepayments.

(a) Application of Voluntary Prepayments. Any prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.10 shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof as specified by the Borrower in the applicable notice of prepayment (and absent such direction in direct order of maturity); provided, any such prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans of each of the Lenders on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof).

(b) Application of Mandatory Prepayments. Any prepayment of any Loan required to be made pursuant to Section 2.11(a), (b) or (c) shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof as specified by the Borrower in the applicable notice of prepayment (and absent such direction in direct order of maturity); provided, any such prepayment of the Term Loans shall be applied to prepay the Term Loans of each of the Lenders on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof).

 

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(c) Application of Prepayments to Types of Loans. Any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to Eurodollar Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any payment required to be made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.15(c).

2.13 General Provisions Regarding Payments.

(a) Payments Due. All payments by the Borrower of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, without defense, setoff or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to the Administrative Agent not later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date due at the Payment Office for the account of the Lenders; for purposes of computing interest and fees, funds received by the Administrative Agent after that time on such due date may in the discretion of the Administrative Agent be deemed to have been paid by the Borrower on the next succeeding Business Day.

(b) Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may (but shall not be obligated to), in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

(c) Payments to Include Interest. All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall include payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and, in any event, any payments in respect of any Loan on a date when interest is due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest then due and payable before application to principal.

(d) Distribution of Payments. The Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such account as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due thereto, including all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by the Administrative Agent.

(e) Affected Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, if any Conversion/Continuation Notice is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any Eurodollar Loans, the Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

 

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(f) Payment Due on Non-Business Day. Subject to the provisos set forth in the definition of “Interest Period”, whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder.

(g) [Reserved].

(h) Non-Conforming Payment. In the event any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder is not made in same day funds prior to 2:00 p.m. (New York City time), the Administrative Agent may deem such payment to be a non-conforming payment and if so, shall give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrower and each applicable Lender. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the rate determined pursuant to Section 2.7 from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

2.14 Ratable Sharing. Subject to Section 10.6(b)(v) and (ix), if any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations greater than its Pro Rata Share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent in writing of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided: (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and (ii) the provisions of this Section 2.14 shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement, or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or Participant, other than to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than pursuant to Section 10.6(d)), as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply. Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Credit Party in the amount of such participation.

2.15 Making or Maintaining Eurodollar Loans.

(a) Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate. Subject to Section 2.21, in the event that (a) the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto, absent manifest error), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market (other than the circumstances described in Section 2.21) adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate or (b) the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurodollar

 

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Loan or a conversion thereto or a continuation thereof that the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile, e-mail or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Borrower and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, Eurodollar Loans until such time as the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (ii) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by the Borrower with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be a request for Base Rate Loans and (iii) the utilization of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case, until the Administrative Agent revokes such notice.

(b) Illegality or Impracticability of Eurodollar Loans. In the event that on any date any Lender (in the case of clause (i) below) or the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (in the case of clause (ii) below) shall have determined in good faith (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto, absent manifest error) that the making, maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any Law (or would conflict with any treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful) or (ii) has become impracticable, as a result of contingencies occurring after the date hereof which materially and adversely affect the London interbank market or the position of the Lenders in that market, then, and in any such event, the affected Lenders shall each be an “Affected Lender” and it shall on that day give notice (by e-mail) to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of such determination (which written notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). If the Administrative Agent receives a notice from (A) any Lender pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence or (B) a notice from the Administrative Agent or Lenders constituting Required Lenders pursuant to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, then (1) the obligation of the Lenders (or, in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender) to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by each Affected Lender, (2) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a Eurodollar Loan then being requested by Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Lenders (or in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender) shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (3) the Lenders’ (or in the case of any notice pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such Lender’s) obligations to maintain their respective outstanding Eurodollar Loans (the “Affected Loans”) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by Law, and (4) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a Eurodollar Loan then being requested by Borrower pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, Borrower shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.15(c), to rescind such Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice as to all Lenders by giving written notice to the Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).

 

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(c) Compensation for Breakage or Non Commencement of Interest Periods. The Borrower shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all actual and reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid or payable by such Lender to Lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any Eurodollar Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Funding Notice or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or continuation of any Eurodollar Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Conversion/Continuation Notice; (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its Eurodollar Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan; or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its Eurodollar Loans is not made on any date specified in a written notice of prepayment given by the Borrower.

(d) Booking of Eurodollar Loans. Any Lender may make, carry or transfer Eurodollar Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

(e) [reserved].

(f) [reserved].

2.16 Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

  (i)

impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate);

 

  (ii)

subject any Lender to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Excluded Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, Commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

  (iii)

impose on any Lender the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender or participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Eurodollar Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon written request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or

 

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amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered; provided that to the extent any such costs or reductions are incurred by any Lender as a result of any requests, rules, guidelines or directives enacted or promulgated under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 and Basel III after the Closing Date, then such Lender shall be compensated pursuant to this Section 2.16(a) only to the extent such Lender certified that it is imposing such charges on similarly situated borrowers under the other syndicated credit facilities that such Lender is a lender under.

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by such Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth in reasonable detail the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 2.16(a) or 2.16(b) and delivered to the Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within thirty Business Days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided, the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

2.17 Taxes; Withholding, Etc.

(a) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

(b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Credit Party under any Credit Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Credit Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

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(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Credit Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(d) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Credit Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 Business Days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Credit Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Credit Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.6(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Credit Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Credit Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

(f) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Credit Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Credit Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(g) Status of Lenders.

 

  (i)

Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Credit Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such

 

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  payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(g)(ii)(A), 2.17(g)(ii)(B) and 2.17(g)(ii)(D)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

  (ii)

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed copies of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

(B) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

  (i)

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Credit Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Credit Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

  (ii)

executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

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  (iii)

in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and that no payment in connection with any Credit Document is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business by such Foreign Lender (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E; or

 

  (iv)

to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2 or Exhibit D-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership (and not a participating Lender) and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D-4 on behalf of such direct and indirect partner(s);

(C) any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of originals as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Credit Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional

 

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documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine whether such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount, if any, to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal ineligibility to do so.

(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out of pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

(i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Credit Document.

2.18 Obligation to Mitigate. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or requires the Borrower to pay additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (a) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.16 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future, and (b) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

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2.19 Replacement of Lenders. (i) If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.16, or if the Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, or (ii) if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or (iii) if any Lender declines to approve any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement or any Credit Document that requires approval of all Lenders (directly affected or otherwise) pursuant to Section 10.5 and to which the Required Lenders have consented (or a majority of the Lenders directly affected) or (iv) if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon written notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.6), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Credit Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided:

(a) the Administrative Agent shall have received the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.6(b)(iv) and if such assignee Lender is not an existing Lender, it shall provide the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an IRS Form W-9, Borrower, with all requested “know your customer” documentation, a duly executed IRS Form W-9 or such other applicable IRS Form and an administrative questionnaire;

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.19(c) from or on behalf of the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts));

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.16 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and

(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Law.

2.20 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) General. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in Section 10.5.

(ii) Reallocation of Payments. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of that Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 8 or otherwise, and including any amounts made available to the Administrative Agent by that Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.4), shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by that Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, as the Borrower may

 

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request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which that Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; third, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; fifth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; sixth, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to any Credit Party as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Credit Party against that Defaulting Lender as a result of that Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and seventh, to that Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans and such Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clause (a) of the definition thereof, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the relevant Loans of the relevant non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied pursuant to this Section 2.20(a)(ii).

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing in their sole discretion that a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Commitments, whereupon that Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

2.21 Benchmark Replacement Setting.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document (and any Swap Contract shall be deemed not to be a “Credit Document” for purposes of this Section):

(a) Replacing USD LIBOR. On March 5, 2021 the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulatory supervisor of USD LIBOR’s administrator (“IBA”), announced in a public statement the future cessation or loss of representativeness of overnight/Spot Next, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and 12- month USD LIBOR tenor settings. On the earlier of (i) the date that all Available Tenors of USD LIBOR have either permanently or indefinitely ceased to be provided by IBA or have been announced by the FCA pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative and (ii) the Early Opt-in Effective Date, if the then-current Benchmark is USD LIBOR, the Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of any setting of such Benchmark on such day and all subsequent settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Credit Document. If the Benchmark Replacement is Daily Simple SOFR, all interest payments will be payable on a quarterly basis.

 

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(b) Replacing Future Benchmarks. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Credit Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Credit Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. At any time that the administrator of the then-current Benchmark has permanently or indefinitely ceased to provide such Benchmark or such Benchmark has been announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark pursuant to public statement or publication of information to be no longer representative of the underlying market and economic reality that such Benchmark is intended to measure and that representativeness will not be restored, the Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Loans to be made, converted or continued that would bear interest by reference to such Benchmark until the Borrower’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark, and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans. During the period referenced in the foregoing sentence, the component of the Base Rate based upon the Benchmark will not be used in a determination of the Base Rate.

(c) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation and administration of a Benchmark Replacement, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Credit Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement.

(d) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (i) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (ii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party hereto, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section.

Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. At any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or USD LIBOR), then the Administrative Agent may remove any tenor of such Benchmark that is unavailable or non-representative for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings and (ii) the Administrative Agent may reinstate any such previously removed tenor for Benchmark (including Benchmark Replacement) settings.

 

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2.22 Incremental Facilities.

(a) Borrower Request. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time after the Closing Date by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request the establishment of (i) one or more new term loan facilities or an increase in any existing tranche of Term Loans (each, an “Incremental Term Facility”) with new term loan commitments (each, an “Incremental Term Loan Commitment”) or (ii) one revolving loan facility or, after establishment, an increase in such revolving loan facility (such increase, an “Incremental Revolving Increase” and the initial or subsequent commitments thereunder, an “Incremental Revolving Commitment”; and, together with the Incremental Term Facilities, collectively referred to as the “Incremental Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount not in excess of the sum of: (i) the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 75% of Consolidated EBITDA on a Pro Forma Basis as of the last day of the most recently ended Test Period for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a) or (b) plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all voluntary prepayments of (A) Term Loans and (B) Incremental Revolving Loans with a corresponding permanent reduction of the Incremental Revolving Commitments (to the extent not financed with the proceeds from the incurrence of long-term Indebtedness) plus (iii) an unlimited amount of additional Loans that could be incurred by the Borrower at such time without causing (A) in the case of any Incremental Facility that is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans or on a junior lien basis with the Initial Term Loans, the Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio to be greater than (1) 4.50 to 1.00, if secured on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans or (2) 5.00 to 1.00, if secured on a junior basis with the Term Loans, or (B) in the case of any Incremental Facility that is unsecured, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio to be greater than (1) 5.50 to 1.00, in each case, calculated after giving Pro Forma Effect to the incurrence of such additional amount and the use of proceeds thereof, excluding the cash proceeds of any Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Commitments and assuming the full amount of any Incremental Revolving Commitments are borrowed (whether or not funded or outstanding); provided, for purposes of this clause (iii), if Consolidated EBITDA is negative for the applicable Reference Period for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio or the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, as the case may be, no amount shall be available under this clause (iii) for any purpose, minus the aggregate initial principal amount of any Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred pursuant to Section 2.25 (it being understood and agreed that unless notified by the Borrower, (I) the Borrower shall be deemed to have utilized, amounts of the type described in clause (iii) above prior to the utilization of amounts under clauses (i) or (ii) above and (II) Loans may be incurred in respect of any or all of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, and the proceeds from any such incurrence in respect of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above, may be utilized in a single transaction by, first, calculating the incurrence in respect of clause (iii) above (without giving effect to any incurrence in respect of clause (i) or (ii)), second, calculating the incurrence in respect of clause (ii) above and, third, calculating the incurrence in respect of clause (i) above); provided that the Borrower may redesignate any such Indebtedness originally designated as incurred pursuant to clause (i) above if, at the time of such redesignation, the Borrower would be permitted to incur under clause (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness being so redesignated (for purposes of clarity, with any such redesignation having the effect of increasing the Borrower’s ability to incur indebtedness under clause (i) above as of the date of such redesignation by the amount of such Indebtedness so redesignated); and in minimum increments of $5,000,000 (or such lesser minimum increments as the Administrative Agent shall agree in its sole discretion) (the foregoing amount, the “Available Incremental Amount”). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any Incremental Term Loans the proceeds of which are used to repay or otherwise

 

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redeem, repurchase or retire Term Loans shall not utilize any portion of the Available Incremental Amount and shall not reduce the Available Incremental Amount. Each such notice shall specify (i) the date (each, an “Incremental Facility Effective Date”) on which the Borrower proposes that commitments under the applicable Incremental Facility shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent (or such earlier date as the Administrative Agent shall agree in its sole discretion) and (ii) the identity of each Person to whom the Borrower proposes any portion of such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable, be allocated and the amounts of such allocations.

(b) Conditions. Any Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable, shall become effective as of its Incremental Facility Effective Date; provided that:

(i) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent, the notice of borrowing for such extension of credit in accordance with this Agreement (except as otherwise set forth in the applicable Incremental Term Joinder or Incremental Revolving Joinder, as applicable);

(ii) each of the representations and warranties made by any Credit Party in or pursuant to the Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent made as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless qualified by materiality, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of such specific date); provided that, if the primary purpose of such Incremental Facility is to finance a Permitted Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Section 6.6, the foregoing shall be limited to the Specified Representations (other than Section 4.21 with respect to the target in such Permitted Acquisition and its Restricted Subsidiaries);

(iii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the borrowings to be made on the Incremental Facility Effective Date (except as otherwise set forth in the Incremental Term Joinder or Incremental Revolving Joinder, as applicable); provided that, if the primary purpose of such Incremental Facility is to finance a Permitted Acquisition or an Investment permitted under Section 6.6, the foregoing shall be limited to no Event of Default under 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g);

(iv) the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any customary legal opinions or other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction; and

(v) after giving effect to any such Incremental Revolving Commitment, the aggregate amount of Incremental Revolving Commitments hereunder shall not exceed $100,000,000.

 

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(c) Terms of Incremental Facilities. The terms and provisions of the Incremental Term Loans made pursuant to an Incremental Term Loan Commitment (the “Incremental Term Loans”) and the Incremental Revolving Commitments made pursuant to an Incremental Revolving Increase (the “Incremental Revolving Loans”) shall be established pursuant to an Incremental Term Joinder or Incremental Revolving Joinder, as applicable, as follows:

(i) the initial Incremental Revolving Commitments shall be subject to the same documentation applicable to the Initial Term Loans and after the incurrence of the initial Incremental Revolving Commitments, any Incremental Revolving Increase thereafter shall be on the same terms and subject to the same documentation applicable to such initial Incremental Revolving Commitments (except as otherwise set forth herein) and, to the extent not consistent with such initial Incremental Revolving Commitments, on terms reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent (except as otherwise set forth herein);

(ii) the maturity date of Incremental Revolving Loans and Incremental Term Loans shall not be earlier than the latest Term Loan Maturity Date;

(iii) any Incremental Revolving Loan shall have no scheduled amortization or mandatory commitment reduction prior to its termination date;

(iv) any Incremental Term Facility may provide for the ability to participate on a pro rata basis, or on a less than pro rata basis (but not on a greater than pro rata basis), in any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of existing Incremental Term Loans hereunder;

(v) the Incremental Term Loans may from time to time be Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate Loans, as determined by the Borrower and notified to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.6;

(vi) the applicable yield for the Incremental Term Loans or the Incremental Revolving Loans, as applicable, shall be determined by the Borrower and the applicable new Lenders;

(vii) the pricing, fees, prepayment provisions, amortization schedule (subject to clauses (ii) and (viii)) and pricing protection (if any) for any Incremental Term Facility shall be determined by the Borrower and the lenders thereunder and, except as otherwise provided herein, all other terms of such Incremental Term Facility will be as agreed between the Borrower and the lenders providing such Incremental Term Facility; provided, that, solely during the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is 12 months after the Closing Date, if, as of the date of the incurrence thereof, the Effective Yield relating to any Incremental Term Facility exceeds the Effective Yield relating to the Initial Term Loans by more than 0.50%, the Effective Yield relating to the Initial Term Loans shall be adjusted to be equal to the Effective Yield relating to such Incremental Term Loans minus 0.50%;

(viii) the Incremental Term Loans shall have a weighted average life to maturity that is not shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans; and

 

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(ix) the Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Increase, as applicable, shall rank pari passu in right of payment with other Loans and, if secured, shall be secured on a pari passu or junior lien basis with the Initial Term Loans.

Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Increases may be provided by any existing Lender (but no existing Lender shall have an obligation to make any Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Commitment, nor will the Borrower have any obligation to approach any existing Lenders to provide any Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Commitment) and additional banks, financial institutions and other institutional lenders who will become Lenders in connection with such Incremental Facility; provided that the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required with respect to any additional Lender to the same extent such consent would for an assignment of an existing Loan to such Lender pursuant to Section 10.6. The Incremental Term Loan Commitments or the Incremental Revolving Commitments, as applicable, shall be effected by a joinder agreement (the “Incremental Term Joinder” or “Incremental Revolving Joinder”, as applicable) executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender making such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or Incremental Revolving Commitment, as applicable, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to each of them. Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Increases may be used for the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ working capital and other general corporate purposes, including for capital expenditures, acquisitions, Restricted Payments, refinancing of Indebtedness and any other transactions not prohibited under this Agreement. The Incremental Term Joinder or the Incremental Revolving Joinder may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.22 (including without limitation to implement the relative lien priority contemplated hereby of any Incremental Term Loans). In addition, unless otherwise specifically provided herein, all references in the Credit Documents to Term Loans and Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, shall be deemed, unless the context otherwise requires, to include references to Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Term Loan Commitments, respectively, that are made pursuant to this Agreement.

(d) Equal and Ratable Benefit; Lien Priority. The Incremental Revolving Loans and Incremental Revolving Commitments, as applicable, established pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall constitute Loans and Commitments under, and shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and without limiting the foregoing, if secured, in any case, shall be secured on a senior basis to the Liens securing any Incremental Term Loans and subject to the foregoing shall otherwise benefit equally and ratably from security interests created by the Collateral Documents and the guarantees of the Guarantors. The Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Term Loan Commitments, as applicable, established pursuant to this Section 2.22 shall constitute Loans, Commitments, Term Loans and Term Loan Commitments under, and, subject to the relative Lien priority contemplated hereby, shall be entitled to all the benefits afforded by, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall benefit equally and ratably from the guarantees of the Guarantors. The Credit Parties shall take any actions reasonably required by the Administrative Agent to ensure and/or demonstrate that the Lien and security interests granted by the Collateral Documents are subject to the relative Lien priority contemplated hereby and shall otherwise continue to be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code or otherwise after giving effect to the establishment of any such class of Incremental Term Loans or Incremental Revolving Loans, as applicable, or any such Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Increase, as applicable.

 

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2.23 Specified Refinancing Debt.

(a) The Borrower may, from time to time after the Closing Date, add one or more new term loan facilities and new revolving credit facilities to the Facilities (“Specified Refinancing Debt”; and the commitments in respect of such new term facilities, the “Specified Refinancing Term Commitment” and the commitments in respect of such new revolving credit facilities, the “Specified Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitment”) pursuant to procedures reasonably specified by any Person appointed by the Borrower, as agent under such Specified Refinancing Debt (such Person (who may be the Administrative Agent, if it so agrees), the “Specified Refinancing Agent”) and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower, to refinance (including by extending the maturity) (i) all or any portion of any Term Loan Tranches then outstanding under this Agreement, (ii) all or any portion of any Revolving Tranches then in effect under this Agreement or (iii) all or any portion of any Incremental Revolving Commitment or Incremental Term Loan Commitment incurred under Section 2.22, in each case pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that such Specified Refinancing Debt: (i) may not have obligors or Liens that are more extensive than those which applied to the Indebtedness being refinanced (it being understood that the roles of such obligors as a borrower or a guarantor with respect to such obligations may be interchanged); (ii) if guaranteed, shall not be guaranteed by any Person that is not a Credit Party or does not become a Credit Party substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Specified Refinancing Debt; (iii) (x) if secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, shall not be secured by any assets other than assets that constitute Collateral, and (y) at the option of the Borrower, shall be secured by a lien on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans, secured by a lien on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Initial Term Loans, secured by a Lien on assets not constituting Collateral or unsecured; provided that, if such Specified Refinancing Debt is secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, such Specified Refinancing Debt shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (iv) [reserved]; (v) shall have such pricing and optional prepayment terms as may be agreed by the Borrower and the applicable Lenders thereof; (vi) (x) to the extent constituting revolving credit facilities, shall not have a maturity date (or have mandatory commitment reductions or amortization) that is prior to the scheduled Maturity Date of the Revolving Tranche being refinanced and (y) to the extent constituting term loan facilities, shall have a maturity date that is not prior to the date that is the latest Term Loan Maturity Date of, and will have a weighted average life to maturity that is not shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of, the Term Loans being refinanced; (vii) in the case of Specified Refinancing Term Loans, shall share ratably in any prepayments of the then outstanding Initial Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 (or otherwise provide for more favorable prepayment treatment for the then outstanding Initial Term Loans than the Specified Refinancing Term Loans); (viii) in the case of Specified Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, shall provide that each Borrowing shall be allocated pro rata among the Revolving Tranches; (ix) subject to clauses (v) and (vi) above, shall have covenants and events of default (excluding optional prepayment and redemption terms) that are, taken as a whole, not more restrictive to the Borrower than those applicable to the Initial Term Loans (taken as a whole) (except for (x) covenants and events of default applicable only to periods after the Maturity Date of the Initial Term Loans and existing at the time of incurrence or issuance of such Specified Refinancing Debt and (y) any financial maintenance covenant to the extent such covenant is

 

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also added for the benefit of the Lenders holding the Initial Term Loans, without further Lender approval or voting requirement) or otherwise are customary for similar debt securities in light of then-prevailing market conditions at the time of issuance (as determined by the Borrower in good faith; provided that, at the Borrower’s option, delivery of a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower to the Specified Refinancing Agent in good faith at least three Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed by the Specified Refinancing Agent) prior to the incurrence of such Specified Refinancing Debt, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Specified Refinancing Debt or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement set forth in this clause (a), shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Specified Refinancing Agent provides notice to the Borrower of its objection during such three Business Day (or shorter) period (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it objects)); and the net cash proceeds of such Specified Refinancing Debt shall be applied, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, to the pro rata prepayment of outstanding Loans being so refinanced (or less than the pro rata prepayment of outstanding Loans made by any Term Loan Lenders or the Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable, that will be lenders of the Specified Refinancing Debt, as approved by such Term Loan Lenders or the Revolving Credit Lenders, as applicable; provided that in the case of Revolving Credit Loans, a corresponding amount of Revolving Credit Commitments shall be permanently reduced), in each case pursuant to this Agreement, as applicable, and the payment of fees, expenses and premiums, if any, payable in connection therewith; provided, however, that such Specified Refinancing Debt shall not have a principal or commitment amount (or accreted value) greater than the Loans being refinanced (plus an amount equal to accrued interest, fees, discounts, premiums and expenses). Any Lender approached to provide all or a portion of any Specified Refinancing Debt may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Specified Refinancing Debt. To achieve the full amount of a requested issuance of Specified Refinancing Debt, and subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent in the case of Specified Refinancing Revolving Credit Commitments, the Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Lenders in respect of such Specified Refinancing Debt pursuant to a joinder agreement to this Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Specified Refinancing Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, any allocations of Specified Refinancing Debt shall be made at the Borrower’s sole discretion, and the Borrower will not be obligated to allocate any Specified Refinancing Debt to any Lender.

(b) The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to conditions as are mutually agreed with the participating Lenders providing such Specified Refinancing Debt and to the extent reasonably requested by the Specified Refinancing Agent, receipt by the Specified Refinancing Agent of legal opinions, board resolutions, officers’ certificates and/or reaffirmation agreements with respect to the Borrower and the Guarantors, including any supplements or amendments to the Collateral Documents providing for such Specified Refinancing Debt to be secured thereby, consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date under Section 3 (other than changes to such legal opinions resulting from a change in Law, change in fact or change to counsel’s form of opinion). The Lenders hereby authorize the Specified Refinancing Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the Borrower as may be necessary in order to establish new Tranches of Specified Refinancing Debt and to make such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Specified Refinancing Agent and the Borrower in connection with the establishment of such new Tranches, in each case on terms consistent with and/or to effect the provisions of this Section 2.23.

 

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(c) Each class of Specified Refinancing Debt incurred under this Section 2.23 shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (x) not less $5,000,000 and (y) an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any Refinancing Amendment may provide for the issuance of letters of credit for the account of the Borrower in respect of a Revolving Tranche pursuant to any revolving credit facility established thereby, in each case on terms substantially equivalent to the terms applicable to letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Commitments.

(d) The Specified Refinancing Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Refinancing Amendment. Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that, upon the effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to reflect the existence and terms of the Specified Refinancing Debt incurred pursuant thereto (including the addition of such Specified Refinancing Debt as separate “Facilities” hereunder and treated in a manner consistent with the Facilities being refinanced, including for purposes of prepayments and voting). Any Refinancing Amendment may, without the consent of any Person other than the Borrower, the Specified Refinancing Agent and the Lenders providing such Specified Refinancing Debt, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Specified Refinancing Agent and the Borrower, to effect the provisions of or consistent with this Section 2.24. If the Specified Refinancing Agent is not the Administrative Agent, the actions authorized to be taken by the Specified Refinancing Agent herein shall be done in consultation with the Administrative Agent and, with respect to the preparation of any documentation necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Section 2.23 (including amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents), any comments to such documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent shall be reflected therein.

2.24 Extension of Term Loans and Revolving Credit Commitments.

(a) The Borrower may at any time and from time to time request that all or a portion of the (i) Term Loans of one or more Tranches existing at the time of such request (each, an “Existing Term Tranche”, and the Term Loans of such Tranche, the “Existing Term Loans”) or (ii) Revolving Credit Commitments of one or more Tranches existing at the time of such request (each, an “Existing Revolving Tranche” and together with the Existing Term Tranches, each an “Existing Tranche”, and the Revolving Credit Commitments of such Existing Revolving Tranche together with the Existing Term Loans, the “Existing Loans”), in each case, be converted to extend the scheduled maturity date(s) of any payment of principal with respect to all or a portion of any principal amount of any Existing Tranche (any such Existing Tranche which has been so extended, an “Extended Term Tranche” or “Extended Revolving Tranche”, as applicable, and each an “Extended Tranche”, and the Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, of such Extended Tranches, the “Extended Term Loans” or “Extended Revolving Commitments”, as applicable, and collectively, the “Extended Loans”) and to provide for other terms consistent with this Section 2.24; provided that (i) any such request shall be made by the Borrower to certain Lenders specified by the Borrower with Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, with a like maturity date (whether under one or more Tranches) on a pro rata basis (based on the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans or on the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments) and (ii) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied unless waived by the Borrower in its sole discretion. In order to establish any Extended Tranche, the Borrower shall provide a written notice to the Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the

 

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Extended Loans Agent”) (who shall provide a copy of such notice to each of the requested Lenders of the applicable Existing Tranche) (an “Extension Request”) setting forth the proposed terms of the Extended Tranche to be established, which terms shall be substantially similar to those applicable to the Existing Tranche from which they are to be extended (the “Specified Existing Tranche”), except that (w) all or any of the final maturity dates of such Extended Tranches shall be delayed to later dates than the final maturity dates of the Specified Existing Tranche, (x) (A) the interest margins with respect to the Extended Tranche may be higher or lower than the interest margins for the Specified Existing Tranche and/or (B) additional fees may be payable to the Lenders providing such Extended Tranche in addition to or in lieu of any increased margins contemplated by the preceding clause (A), (y) in the case of any Extended Term Tranche, such Extended Term Tranche shall share ratably in any prepayments of the then outstanding Initial Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.14 (or otherwise provide for more favorable mandatory prepayment treatment for the then outstanding Initial Term Loans than such Extended Term Tranche) and (z) in the case of any Extended Term Tranche, so long as the weighted average life to maturity of such Extended Tranche would be no shorter than the remaining weighted average life to maturity of the Specified Existing Tranche, amortization rates with respect to the Extended Term Tranche may be higher or lower than the amortization rates for the Specified Existing Tranche, in each case to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.24 or otherwise, assignments and participations of Extended Tranches shall be governed by the same or, at the Borrower’s discretion, more restrictive assignment and participation provisions applicable to Initial Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments, as applicable, set forth in Section 10.6. No requested Lender shall have any obligation to agree to have any of its Existing Loans converted into an Extended Tranche pursuant to any Extension Request. Any Extended Tranche shall constitute a separate Tranche of Loans from the Specified Existing Tranches and from any other Existing Tranches (together with any other Extended Tranches so established on such date). On the Extension Date applicable to any applicable Revolving Tranche under a Revolving Credit Facility, the Borrower shall prepay the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such Extension Date applicable to the relevant Revolving Tranche (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.15) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans applicable to the non-extending Revolving Credit Lenders under such Revolving Tranche in accordance with any revised Pro Rata Share of a Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the extended Revolving Credit Facility arising from any non-ratable Extension to the Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section 2.24.

(b) The Borrower shall provide the applicable Extension Request at least ten Business Days (or such shorter period as the Extended Loans Agent may agree in its sole discretion) prior to the date on which Lenders under the applicable Existing Tranche or Existing Tranches are requested to respond. Any Lender (an “Extending Lender”) wishing to have all or a portion of its Specified Existing Tranche converted into an Extended Tranche shall notify the Extended Loans Agent (each, an “Extension Election”) on or prior to the date specified in such Extension Request of the amount of its Specified Existing Tranche that it has elected to convert into an Extended Tranche. In the event that the aggregate amount of the Specified Existing Tranche subject to Extension Elections exceeds the amount of Extended Tranches requested pursuant to the Extension Request, the Specified Existing Tranches subject to Extension Elections shall be converted to Extended Tranches on a pro rata basis based on the amount of Specified Existing Tranches included in each such Extension Election. In connection with any extension of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.24 (each, an “Extension”), the Borrower and Extended Loans Agent shall agree to such procedures regarding timing,

 

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rounding, lender revocation and other administrative adjustments to ensure reasonable administrative management of the credit facilities hereunder after such Extension, in each case acting reasonably to accomplish the purposes of this Section 2.24. The Borrower may amend, revoke or replace an Extension Request pursuant to procedures reasonably acceptable to the Extended Loans Agent at any time prior to the date on which Lenders under the applicable Existing Term Tranche or Existing Term Tranches are requested to respond to the Extension Request.

(c) Extended Tranches shall be established pursuant to an amendment (an “Extension Amendment”) to this Agreement (which may include amendments to provisions related to maturity, interest margins or fees referenced in clauses (x) and (y) of Section 2.24(a), or, in the case of Extended Term Tranches, amortization rates referenced in clause (z) of Section 2.24(a), and which, in each case, except to the extent expressly contemplated by the last sentence of this Section 2.24(c) and notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in Section 10.5, shall not require the consent of any Lender other than the Extending Lenders with respect to the Extended Tranches established thereby) executed by the Credit Parties, the Extended Loans Agent, and the Extending Lenders. Subject to the requirements of this Section 2.24 and without limiting the generality or applicability of Section 10.5 to any Section 2.24 Additional Amendments (as defined below), any Extension Amendment may provide for additional terms and/or additional amendments other than those referred to or contemplated above (any such additional amendment, a “Section 2.24 Additional Amendment”) to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; provided that such Section 2.24 Additional Amendments do not become effective prior to the time that such Section 2.24 Additional Amendments have been consented to (including, without limitation, pursuant to consents applicable to holders of any Extended Tranches provided for in any Extension Amendment) by such of the Lenders, Credit Parties and other parties (if any) as may be required in order for such Section 2.24 Additional Amendments to become effective in accordance with Section 10.5; provided, further, that (i) if incurred or guaranteed by the Borrower or any Guarantor, such Extended Tranche shall not be guaranteed by any Person that is not a Credit Party or does not become a Credit Party substantially concurrently with the establishment of such Extended Tranche, (ii) if secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, such Extended Tranche shall not be secured by any assets other than assets that constitute Collateral, and (iii) at the option of the Borrower, such Extended Tranche shall be secured by a lien on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Initial Term Loans, secured by a lien on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Initial Term Loans, secured by a Lien on assets not constituting Collateral or unsecured; provided that, if such Extended Tranche is secured by a lien on all or any portion of the Collateral, such Extended Tranche shall be subject to customary intercreditor arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10.5, any such Extension Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to any Credit Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower and the Extended Loans Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.24; provided that the foregoing shall not constitute a consent on behalf of any Lender to the terms of any Section 2.24 Additional Amendment. The Lenders hereby authorize the Extended Loans Agent to enter into amendments to this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with the Borrower as may be necessary in order to establish any Extended Loans and to make such technical amendments as may be necessary or appropriate in the reasonable opinion of the Extended Loans Agent and the Borrower in connection with the establishment of such Extended Loans, in each case on terms consistent with and/or to effect the provisions of this Section 2.24.

 

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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, on any date on which any Existing Tranche is converted to extend the related scheduled maturity date(s) in accordance with clause (a) above (an “Extension Date”), in the case of the Specified Existing Tranche of each Extending Lender, the aggregate principal amount of such Specified Existing Tranche shall be deemed reduced by an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Extended Tranche so converted by such Lender on such date, and such Extended Tranches shall be established as a separate Tranche from the Specified Existing Tranche and from any other Existing Tranches (together with any other Extended Tranches so established on such date).

(e) If, in connection with any proposed Extension Amendment, any requested Lender declines to consent to the applicable extension on the terms and by the deadline set forth in the applicable Extension Request (each such other Lender, a “Non-Extending Lender”) then the Borrower may, on notice to the Extended Loans Agent and the Non-Extending Lender, replace such Non-Extending Lender by causing such Lender to (and such Lender shall be obligated to) assign pursuant to Section 2.19 (with the assignment fee and any other costs and expenses to be paid by the Borrower in such instance) all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more assignees; provided that neither the Extended Loans Agent nor any Lender shall have any obligation to the Borrower to find a replacement Lender; provided, further, that the applicable assignee shall have agreed to provide Extended Loans on the terms set forth in such Extension Amendment; provided, further, that all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Non-Extending Lender relating to the Existing Loans so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such Non-Extending Lender concurrently with such Assignment and Assumption. In connection with any such replacement under this Section 2.24, if the Non-Extending Lender does not execute and deliver to the Extended Loans Agent a duly completed Assignment and Assumption by the later of (A) the date on which the replacement Lender executes and delivers such Assignment and Assumption and (B) the date as of which all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Non-Extending Lender relating to the Existing Loans so assigned shall be paid in full by the assignee Lender to such Non-Extending Lender, then such Non-Extending Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment and Assumption as of such date and the Borrower shall be entitled (but not obligated) to execute and deliver such Assignment and Assumption on behalf of such Non-Extending Lender.

(f) Following any Extension Date, with the written consent of the Borrower, any Non-Extending Lender may elect to have all or a portion of its Existing Loans deemed to be an Extended Loan under the applicable Extended Tranche on any date (each date a “Designation Date”) prior to the maturity date of such Extended Tranche; provided that such Lender shall have provided written notice to the Borrower and the Extended Loans Agent at least ten Business Days prior to such Designation Date (or such shorter period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion); provided, further, that no greater amount shall be paid by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Affiliates to any such Non-Extending Lender as consideration for its extension into such Extended Tranche than was paid to any Extending Lender as consideration for its Extension into such Extended Tranche. Following a Designation Date, the Existing Loans held by such Lender so elected to be extended will be deemed to be Extended Loans of the applicable Extended Tranche, and any Existing Loans held by such Lender not elected to be extended, if any, shall continue to be “Existing Loans” of the applicable Tranche.

 

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(g) With respect to all Extensions consummated by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.24, (i) such Extensions shall not constitute optional or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Sections 2.10 and 2.11(a) and (ii) no Extension Request is required to be in any minimum amount or any minimum increment; provided that the Borrower may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Extension that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Extension Request in the Borrower’s sole discretion and may be waived by the Borrower) of Existing Loans of any or all applicable Tranches be extended. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby consent to the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.24 (including, for the avoidance of doubt, payment of any interest, fees or premium in respect of any Extended Loans on such terms as may be set forth in the relevant Extension Request) and hereby waive the requirements of any provision of this Agreement (including, without limitation, Sections 2.1(c), 2.10 and 2.11(a)) or any other Credit Document that may otherwise prohibit any such Extension or any other transaction contemplated by this Section 2.24.

2.25 Incremental Equivalent Debt.

(a) At any time and from time to time, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may issue one or more series of Incremental Equivalent Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, as of the date of and after giving effect to the issuance of any such Incremental Equivalent Debt when combined with the aggregate amount of all Incremental Term Loans, Incremental Term Loan Commitments and Incremental Revolving Commitments under Section 2.22, the Available Incremental Amount.

(b) The issuance of any Incremental Equivalent Debt pursuant to this Section 2.25 (i) shall in all cases, be subject to the terms and conditions applicable to Incremental Term Loan Commitments or Incremental Revolving Commitments (as applicable) set forth under Section 2.22(b) (other than clause (ii) thereof) and the maturity date of such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be no earlier than the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date; (ii) to the extent constituting term debt, the weighted average life to maturity of such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not be shorter than the weighted average life to maturity of the Initial Term Loans at the time of such incurrence (except to the extent of nominal amortization for periods where amortization has been eliminated as a result of prepayment of any applicable Term Loans), (iii) such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall not be guaranteed by any Person other than the Credit Parties, and (iv) the covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms of such Incremental Equivalent Debt shall be customary for similar debt instruments in light of then-prevailing market conditions at the time of issuance, it being understood that a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent prior to or at the incurrence of such Incremental Equivalent Debt, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Incremental Equivalent Debt or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions of the Incremental Equivalent Debt satisfy the requirement set forth in this clause (ii), shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions have been satisfied.

 

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SECTION 3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

3.1 Closing Date. The obligations of each Lender to make Loans on the Funding Date are effective upon the satisfaction, or waiver by such Lender, of the following conditions on or before the Closing Date (or, if applicable to the extent expressly specified below, the Funding Date), each to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (in each case in their sole discretion):

(a) Credit Agreement and Collateral Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received fully executed copies of (i) this Agreement (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto), and (ii) the Collateral Agreement (together with the schedules and exhibits thereto and the Perfection Certificate referenced therein).

(b) Funding Notice. The Administrative Agent shall have received a fully executed and delivered Funding Notice, no later than 2:00 p.m. (New York City time) at least two (2) Business Day in advance of the Closing Date (or such later time as the Administrative Agent may agree), together with a flow of funds memorandum attached thereto with respect to the initial funding of Loans on the Funding Date.

(c) Existing Credit Agreement. Substantially concurrently with the funding of the Initial Term Loans, the Existing Credit Agreement shall have been terminated and the Administrative Agent shall have received a customary payoff letter in connection with such termination.

(d) Securities. Substantially concurrently with the funding of the Initial Term Loans, the Collateral Agent shall have received stock certificates representing the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower required by the Collateral Agreement to be delivered to the Collateral Agent with endorsements and stock powers, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent; provided, that any requirement under this clause (d) shall not be required to be satisfied on the Closing Date or the Funding Date and shall not be a condition to the availability of the initial Loans on the Funding Date but shall be required to be satisfied within ninety (90) days following the Closing Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree in its sole discretion.

(e) Opinions of Counsel to Credit Parties. The Administrative Agent and its counsel shall have received executed copies of the favorable written opinion of Paul Hastings LLP, counsel for the Credit Parties.

(f) Evidence of Insurance. The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Borrower’s insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 is in full force and effect and that the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has been named as additional insured and loss payee thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.5; provided, that any requirement under this clause (f) shall not be required to be satisfied on the Closing Date or the Funding Date and shall not be a condition to the availability of the initial Loans on the Funding Date but shall be required to be satisfied within ninety (90) days following the Closing Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may reasonably agree in its sole discretion.

(g) Fees. The Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders the fees payable to each such Person on the Closing Date (or, if applicable, the Funding Date) referred to in Section 2.8(a) to the extent due and payable on the Closing Date (or, if applicable, the Funding Date).

 

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(h) Representations and Warranties. As of the Closing Date, the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for those representations and warranties that are conditioned by materiality, which shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Closing Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall have been true and correct in all material respects (except for those representations and warranties that are conditioned by materiality, which shall have been true and correct in all respects) on and as of such earlier date.

(i) No Event of Default. As of the Closing Date, no Event of Default under any of Sections 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) shall have occurred and be continuing or would immediately result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension.

(j) Secretarys Certificate and Attachments. The Administrative Agent shall have received an executed certificate from the officer’s certificate of each Credit Party, together with all applicable attachments, certifying as to the following:

 

  (i)

Organizational Documents. Attached thereto is a copy of each Organizational Document of such Credit Party, to the extent applicable and customary in the relevant jurisdiction of such Credit Party, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Closing Date or a recent date prior thereto.

 

  (ii)

Signature and Incumbency. Set forth therein are the signature and incumbency of the officers or other authorized representatives of such Credit Party executing the Credit Documents to which it is a party.

 

  (iii)

Resolutions. Attached thereto are copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Credit Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Closing Date, certified as of the Closing Date as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment.

 

  (iv)

Good Standing Certificates. Attached thereto is a good standing certificate (if applicable) from the applicable Governmental Authority of such Credit Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation dated as of a recent date prior to the Closing Date.

(k) Solvency Certificate. The Administrative Agent shall have received a duly executed Solvency Certificate.

(l) Know-Your-Customer, Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received all documentation and other information required under Anti-Terrorism Laws and applicable “know-your-customer” and anti-money laundering Laws, including certificates required under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, including, without limitation, a duly executed W-9 (or such other applicable tax form) of the Borrower.

 

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(m) Promissory Notes. Delivery of each Note requested by a Lender in accordance with Section 2.4(b), if any.

(n) Expenses. The Administrative Agent shall have received, or substantially simultaneously with the initial funding of the Loans on the Funding Date shall receive, to the extent invoiced at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date (except as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Borrower), reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) required to be reimbursed or paid by any Credit Party under any Credit Document.

SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

In order to induce the Lenders and each Agent to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Credit Party represents and warrant to the Lenders and the Agents on the Closing Date that the following statements are true and correct:

4.1 Organization; Required Power and Authority; Qualification. Except as permitted under Section 6.7, each Credit Party (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization or incorporation as identified in Schedule 4.1, (b) has all requisite corporate (or equivalent) power and authority to own and operate its properties, to lease the property it operates as lessee, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Credit Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except, in each case, in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.2 Equity Interests and Ownership. The Equity Interests constituting Pledged Equity Interests have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment or other agreement (including preemptive rights) to which Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party requiring, and there is no Equity Interest constituting Pledged Equity Interests outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any additional Equity Interests constituting Pledged Equity Interests of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase, Equity Interests constituting Pledged Equity Interests of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.2 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in their respective Restricted Subsidiaries in which Equity Interests constituting Pledged Equity Interests are held as of the Closing Date.

4.3 Due Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or limited liability or other entity action, as applicable, on the part of each Credit Party that is a party thereto.

4.4 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not (a) violate any of the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any Guarantor or otherwise require any approval of any stockholder, member or partner of the Borrower or any Guarantor, except for such approvals

 

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or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date; (b) violate any provision of any Law applicable to or otherwise binding on the Borrower or any Guarantor, except to the extent such violation could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of the Borrower or any Guarantor (other than any Liens created under any of the Credit Documents in favor of the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties or any other Permitted Lien); or (d) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, or otherwise require any approval or consent of any Person under, any material Contractual Obligation (other than the Existing Credit Agreement and documents related thereto) relating to any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor, except to the extent such conflict, breach or default could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and except for such approvals or consents (i) which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and have been disclosed in writing to the Lenders or (ii) the failure of which to obtain could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority, except (a) such as have been obtained and are in full force and effect, (b) for filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date or (c) those which, if not obtained or made, would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.6 Binding Obligation. Each Credit Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar Laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

4.7 Historical Financial Statements. The Historical Financial Statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position, on a consolidated basis, of the Persons described in such financial statements as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows, on a consolidated basis, of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

4.8 No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2020, no event or change has occurred that has caused or could reasonably be expected to cause, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

4.9 Adverse Proceedings. There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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4.10 Payment of Taxes. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries have paid all Taxes that were due and payable (including in the capacity as a withholding agent), other than any Tax being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) reserves or other appropriate provisions, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor or (b) the failure to so pay would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

4.11 Title. Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), (c) to each of the Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ knowledge, valid license rights in (in the case of license interests in Intellectual Property), and (d) good title to or right to use (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective properties and assets reflected in their respective Historical Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.7 and in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for (x) assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.8 or (y) except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except for Permitted Encumbrances and as otherwise permitted by this Agreement including by Section 6.2, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

4.12 Real Estate Assets. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 4.12 is a complete and correct list of (a) all Real Estate Assets, and (b) all leases, subleases or assignments of leases (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions of any thereof) affecting each Real Estate Asset of any Credit Party, regardless of whether such Credit Party is the landlord or tenant (whether directly or as an assignee or successor in interest) under such lease, sublease or assignment.

4.13 Environmental Matters. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries nor any of their respective properties or operations are subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law, any Environmental Claim, or any Hazardous Materials Activity, in each case which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 USC. § 9604) or any comparable state Law that individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. To each of the Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ knowledge, there are and have been, no conditions, occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has filed any notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment of Hazardous Materials at any Facility, and none of the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ operations involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state equivalent that individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition has occurred or is occurring with

 

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respect to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. The representations and warranties in this Section 4.13 are the sole representations and warranties of Borrower with respect to environmental matters, including matters arising under Environmental Law or involving Environmental Claims, Hazardous Materials, or Hazardous Materials Activities.

4.14 Investment Company Regulation. Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors is, or is required to be, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

4.15 Margin Stock. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension made to or for the benefit of any Credit Party will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.

4.16 Employee Matters. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board, and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is pending against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened involving the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, (c) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (d) to the knowledge of the Borrower, no union organization activity that is taking place, except, with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) above, either individually or in the aggregate, that could not reasonably be likely to give rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

4.17 Employee Benefit Plans. Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan and Foreign Pension Plan, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are in material compliance with all applicable Laws, including the provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Code, and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan; (ii) each Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter which would reasonably be expected to cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status; (iii) no liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments) has been or is expected to be incurred by any ERISA Party; (iv) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (v) no ERISA Party is in material “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan; and (vi) neither the Borrower nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has incurred any material obligation in connection with the termination of, or withdrawal from, any Foreign Pension Plan.

 

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4.18 Solvency. As of the Closing Date and immediately after giving effect to use of proceeds of the Initial Term Loans, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are, taken as a whole, Solvent.

4.19 Compliance with Laws; Use of Proceeds.

(a) Generally. Each of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable Laws in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property, except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Anti-Terrorism Laws. None of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (and, to the knowledge of each such Person, no joint venture or subsidiary thereof) is in violation in any material respect of any Anti-Terrorism Law. As of the Closing Date, to the knowledge of the Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct.

(c) AML Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. None of (i) the Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers, or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, any of their respective employees, or (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. No Loan, use of proceeds or other transaction contemplated by this Agreement will cause a violation of AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable Sanctions by any Person participating in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether as lender, borrower, guarantor, agent, or otherwise.

(d) Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the financing of Permitted Acquisitions and other permitted Investments.

4.20 Disclosure. No representation or warranty of any Credit Party contained in any Credit Document or in any other documents, certificates or written statements furnished to any Agent or the Lenders by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, taken as a whole, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to the Borrower, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein, taken as a whole, not materially misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made (after giving effect to all supplements thereto). Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by the Agents and the Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts or a guarantee of performance and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies many of which are beyond the control of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ significantly from the projected results and such differences may be material.

 

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4.21 Collateral. Subject to Sections 3.1(d), 3.1(f) and 5.15 of this Agreement (including with respect to any security interest that cannot be created, pledged or perfected on the Closing Date after the use by the Borrower of commercially reasonable efforts to create, pledge or perfect any such security interest in the Collateral on the Closing Date), the security interest of the Collateral Agent in the Collateral constitutes a valid, perfected first priority security interest in and continuing Lien on all of each Credit Party’s right, title and interest in, to and under the Collateral (subject to Permitted Encumbrances and other Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, until substantially immediately following the funding of the Initial Term Loans, Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement).

4.22 Status as Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations constitute “senior indebtedness” as defined in any applicable Junior Financing Documentation.

4.23 Intellectual Property. Except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Borrower or the other Credit Parties own all software that was developed by, for, or on behalf of Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for use in the business, (ii) each Credit Party owns and possesses all right, title and interest in and to the Owned IP free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, and (iii) each Credit Party has sufficient rights pursuant to a license or other valid and enforceable rights to all other Intellectual Property used in, or held for use in, the operation of each Credit Party’s business as currently conducted. To the knowledge of any Credit Party, all material Owned IP is subsisting, valid, and enforceable.

4.24 Education Law Matters.

(a) Educational Authorizations. Each Credit Party complies, and during the past three (3) years has complied, in all material respects with all applicable Educational Laws regarding any licenses, permits, authorizations or other approvals required to be obtained from any Educational Agency to conduct its business.

(b) Incentive Compensation. Each Credit Party complies, and during the past three (3) years has complied, in all material respects with all applicable Educational Laws concerning the compensation of persons or entities engaged in student recruiting, admissions or financial aid activities, including but not limited to 20 U.S.C. § 1094(a)(20) and ED regulations at 34 C.F.R. § 668.14(b)(22).

(c) Misrepresentation. Each Credit Party complies, and for the past three (3) years has complied, in all material respects with all applicable Educational Laws regarding consumer marketing and student recruiting, has not committed any misrepresentation (either affirmatively or by omission) about the Credit Party or about any educational institution with which the Credit Party has an Educational Services Agreement, or about any educational program or course offered by a Credit Party or supported by an Educational Services Agreement. With respect to educational institutions, programs and courses supported by any Credit Party pursuant to an Educational Services Agreement, the Credit Party uses only marketing materials approved by the pertinent educational institution.

(d) Educational Records. Each Credit Party and each Educational Services Agreement complies, and for the past three (3) years has complied, in all material respects with all Privacy, Data Security and Consumer Protection Laws that are (i) applicable to any Protected Information created, obtained or maintained pursuant to any Educational Services Agreement, and (ii) subject to enforcement by any Educational Agency.

 

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(e) Accessibility. Each Credit Party and each Educational Services Agreement complies, and for the past three (3) years has complied, in all material respects with all applicable Laws concerning the accessibility of educational programs and courses to persons with disabilities.

SECTION 5 AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

On and after the Closing Date, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations), each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

5.1 Financial Statements and Other Reports and Notices. Deliver to the Administrative Agent (for further distribution to the Lenders):

(a) Quarterly Financial Statements. 45 days (or such longer period as permitted by the SEC) after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2021, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income or operations, stockholders’ equity (to the extent required on Form 10-Q) and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and the portion of the Fiscal Year through the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification; provided, the filing by the Borrower of a Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) with the Securities and Exchange Commission as at the end of and for any applicable Fiscal Quarter shall be deemed to satisfy the obligations under this Section 5.1(a) to deliver financial statements with respect to such Fiscal Quarter.

(b) Annual Financial Statements. 90 days (or such longer period as permitted by the SEC) after the end of each Fiscal Year, beginning with the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2021, (i) the consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail; and (ii) with respect to such consolidated financial statements a report thereon by KPMG LLP or other independent certified public accountant of recognized national standing selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which report shall not contain any going concern, scope of audit or similar qualification (other than resulting from (1) the maturity of the Loans at the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date or any other Indebtedness maturing within one year from the time such report is delivered or (2) any prospective or actual default as a result of a breach of any financial covenant in documentation governing any Indebtedness permitted hereunder), and shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements); provided, the filing by the Borrower of a Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) with the Securities and Exchange Commission as at the end of and for any applicable Fiscal Year shall be deemed to satisfy the obligations under this Section 5.1(b) to deliver financial statements with respect to such Fiscal Year.

 

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(c) Compliance Certificate. (i) Together with each delivery of financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate.

(d) Statements of Reconciliation after Change in Accounting Principles. If, as a result of any change in the accounting policies of the Borrower from those used in the preparation of the Historical Financial Statements, the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or 5.1(b) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Projections. No later than ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year shown on a quarterly basis (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected cash flow, projected changes in financial position and projected income and a description of the underlying assumptions applicable thereto and projected covenant compliance levels) (collectively, the “Projections”).

(f) [reserved].

(g) Notices. Promptly upon any officer of any Credit Party obtaining knowledge of any of the following, a certificate of its Authorized Officer specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto:

 

  (i)

any Default or Event of Default;

 

  (ii)

the institution of, or non-frivolous threat by, any Adverse Proceeding that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (iii)

the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event that would result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

  (iv)

(A) any Release required to be reported to any Governmental Authority under any applicable Environmental Laws that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (B) any remedial action taken by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in response to (1) any Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of which could reasonably be expected to result in one or more Environmental Claims having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (2) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

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  (v)

any event or change that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect.

(h) [reserved].

(i) Other Information. (A) promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC, or with any national securities exchange, as the case may be, in each case that is not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; provided that such information shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such information has been posted on the Borrower’s website on the Internet on any investor relations page at http://www.2u.com (or any successor page) or at http://www.sec.gov and (B) promptly following any request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation (which information and documentation shall be delivered directly to the requesting Persons and no other Persons).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a), (b) or (i)(A) shall be (x) deemed to have been delivered on the date (A) on which such information has been posted on the Internet at www.sec.gov or such other website previously notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent) or (B) on which the Borrower files its Form 10-K or 10-Q, as applicable, with the SEC.

5.2 Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Sections 6.8 and 6.9 and with respect to Immaterial Subsidiaries, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights and franchises, licenses and permits material to its business; provided, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower shall not be required to preserve any such existence, right or franchise, licenses and permits if the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims. Pay all applicable Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets for sums that have become due and payable with respect thereto except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted and adequate reserves in conformity with GAAP are being maintained or (b) the failure to make a payment could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to constitute a Material Adverse Effect.

5.4 Maintenance of Properties. Maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, all material properties useful and necessary in the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and from time to time will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.5 Insurance. Use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance, business interruption insurance and casualty insurance (including customary flood insurance with respect to any Material Real Estate located in a Special Flood Hazard Area) with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the assets, properties and businesses of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries will maintain or cause to be maintained actual cash value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses. Each such policy of insurance of property and/or liability shall, within ninety (90) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), (i) in the case of liability insurance policies, name the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent, that names the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as the loss payee thereunder for any covered loss and the Borrower shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have each such loss payable clause or endorsement, as the case may be, provide for at least thirty days’ (or such lesser period as is reasonably acceptable to the Collateral Agent) prior written notice to the Collateral Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy, except, in each case, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. If at any time the area in which any improved Mortgaged Property is located is designated a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicable Credit Party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain customary flood insurance.

5.6 Books and Records. Keep proper books of record and accounts in which full, true and correct entries in conformity in all material respects with GAAP shall have been made.

5.7 Inspections. Permit each of the Administrative Agent and any authorized representatives designated by the Administrative Agent (and, solely during the existence of an Event of Default, any Lender or such Lender’s authorized representatives designated by such Lender, and any such visits shall be coordinated by the Administrative Agent) to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants (and the Borrower will be given the opportunity to participate in any such discussion with such independent public accountants), all upon reasonable prior notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested and at the Credit Parties’ expense; provided, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Credit Parties shall only be obligated to reimburse the Administrative Agent and any such authorized representative for the expenses of one such visit and inspection per calendar year and only one such visit shall occur per calendar year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.7, none of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall be required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making copies or abstracts of, or discussion of, any document, information or other matter that (i) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or

 

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non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective representatives) is prohibited by applicable Law or any third party contract legally binding on Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, or (iii) is subject to attorney, client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work-product.

5.8 Lenders Meetings. Participate in a telephone meeting of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders no more than once per year and upon the request of the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders, during each other Fiscal Quarter of such Fiscal year, in any case, to be held at a time as may be mutually and reasonably agreed to by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (provided that the requirement set forth in this Section shall be satisfied by the Borrower providing the Lenders with access to earnings call for such Fiscal Quarter with the holders of the Equity Interests of the Borrower).

5.9 Compliance with Laws.

(a) Generally. Comply with the requirements of all applicable Laws (including all Environmental Laws), except for any noncompliance which would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Anti-Terrorism Laws. Comply in all material respects with all Anti-Terrorism Laws applicable thereto.

(c) Anti-Corruption Laws. Maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Restricted Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects.

5.10 Environmental. Promptly take any and all actions necessary and required under Environmental Laws to (a) cure any violation of applicable Environmental Laws by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (b) make an appropriate response to any Environmental Claim against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and discharge any legally binding obligations it may have to any Person thereunder, in each case, where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

5.11 Subsidiaries. Within 45 days (or such longer period as acceptable to the Administrative Agent) after the date any Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, other than an Immaterial Subsidiary, or ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, shall:

(a) Notice to Administrative Agent. Promptly send to the Administrative Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Person, if applicable, (x) the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower or ceased to be an Excluded Subsidiary, and (y) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 with respect to all Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof;

(b) Counterpart Agreement. Other than with respect to an Excluded Subsidiary, promptly cause such Restricted Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder and a Grantor under the Collateral Agreement by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent a Counterpart Agreement and a joinder to the Collateral Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;

 

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(c) Corporate Documents. Other than with respect to an Excluded Subsidiary, take all such corporate or limited liability company or other entity organizational actions, as applicable, and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such applicable documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Section 3.1(j); and

(d) Collateral Documents. Other than with respect to an Excluded Subsidiary, deliver all such applicable documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date and take all of the actions necessary to grant and to perfect a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, until substantially immediately following the funding of the Initial Term Loans, Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement) in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, under the Collateral Agreement (but subject to any limitations sets forth therein) in the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary and in substantially all of the personal property of such Restricted Subsidiary (other than Excluded Assets).

5.12 Material Real Estate.

(a) With respect to each Material Real Estate listed in Schedule 5.12 (each, a “Closing Date Mortgaged Property”), within ninety (90) days of the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), and within ninety (90) days after the acquisition of any Material Real Estate (or such later date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion), the Borrower or the applicable Credit Party shall execute and/or deliver, or cause to be executed and/or delivered, to the Administrative Agent, for each Material Real Estate, the following, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i)

to the extent an appraisal is required under FIRREA, an appraisal complying with FIRREA;

 

  (ii)

a fully executed and acknowledged Mortgage in form suitable for filing or recording in all filing or recording offices that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or desirable in order to create a valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject only to Permitted Encumbrances) on the Mortgaged Property described therein in favor of the Collateral Agent;

 

  (iii)

a Title Policy insuring that the Mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority Lien on the respective property, free and clear of all defects, encumbrances and Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances;

 

  (iv)

then current A.L.T.A. surveys in respect of such Mortgaged Property, certified to the Administrative Agent by a licensed surveyor or an update to an existing A.L.T.A. survey or an existing A.L.T.A. survey with a “no change” affidavit sufficient to allow the issuer of the lender’s title insurance policy to issue such policy without a survey exception;

 

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  (v)

the Borrower shall use commercially reasonable efforts to deliver (A) a completed “Life of Loan” standard flood hazard determination form as to any improved Mortgaged Property, (B) if the improvements located on a Mortgaged Property are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, a notification to the Borrower (a “Flood Notice”) and (if applicable) notification to the Borrower that flood insurance coverage under the NFIP is not available because the community in which the Mortgaged Property is located does not participate in the NFIP, and (C) if the Flood Notice is required to be given (x) documentation evidencing the Borrower’s receipt of the Flood Notice (e.g., a countersigned Flood Notice) and (y) evidence of Flood Insurance as required by Section 5.5;

 

  (vi)

a PZR Zoning Report, or equivalent zoning report or municipal zoning letter, providing that the continued operation of the properties and assets as currently conducted conforms with all applicable zoning and building laws, rules or regulations or a zoning endorsement to the Lender’s title policy; and

 

  (vii)

an opinion of local counsel in each state in which such Mortgaged Property is located with respect to the enforceability of the form of Mortgage to be recorded in such state and such other matters as are customary and as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(b) In addition to the obligations set forth in Section 5.12(a), within forty-five (45) days (or such later time as agreed by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) after written notice from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower that any Mortgaged Property which was not previously located in an area designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area has been redesignated as a Special Flood Hazard Area, the Credit Parties shall satisfy the Flood Insurance requirements of Section 5.5.

(c) From time to time, if the Administrative Agent reasonably determines that obtaining appraisals is necessary in order for the Administrative Agent or any Lender to comply with applicable laws or regulations (including any appraisals required to comply with FIRREA), and at any time if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent may, or may require the Borrower to, in either case at the Borrower’s expense, obtain appraisals in form and substance and from appraisers reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent stating the then current fair market value of all or any portion of the personal property of any Credit Party and the fair market value or such other value as determined by the Administrative Agent (for example, replacement cost for purposes of Flood Insurance) of any Material Real Estate of any Credit Party.

5.13 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for working capital and other general corporate purposes (including permitted Investments and the Circuit Acquisition).

 

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5.14 Further Assurances. Subject to the express limitations set forth herein and in the Collateral Documents, at any time or from time to time upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Credit Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Credit Documents. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Credit Party shall take such actions as the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrower, and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are Grantors and all of the outstanding Equity Interests of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower (subject to limitations contained in the Credit Documents with respect to Foreign Subsidiaries and any Excluded Subsidiaries). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, it is understood and agreed that the Credit Parties shall cause any Restricted Subsidiary (that is not an Excluded Subsidiary) acquired by the Borrower in connection with the Circuit Acquisition to become within forty-five (45) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the consummation of the Circuit Acquisition a Guarantor.

5.15 Post-Closing Obligations. Execute and deliver the documents and complete the tasks set forth on Schedule 5.15, in each case within the time limits specified on such schedule (which may be extended in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion which extension may be granted by electronic email).

5.16 Compliance with Education Law.

(a) Comply in all material respects with all Educational Laws applicable to its operations, including the maintenance of all licenses, permits, approvals and authorizations necessary from any Educational Agency to conduct its business.

(b) Cause all Educational Services Agreements to comply in all material respects with Educational Laws applicable to the Credit Parties; and

(c) Comply in all material respects with all Privacy, Data Security and Consumer Protection Laws that are (i) applicable to any Protected Information created, obtained or maintained pursuant to any Educational Services Agreement, and (ii) subject to enforcement by any Educational Agency.

5.17 Designation of Subsidiaries. (a) Subject to Sections 5.17(b) and (c) below, the Borrower may at any time designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that (i) the designation of any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall constitute an Investment by the Borrower therein at the date of designation in an amount equal to the fair market value of the Borrower’s Investment therein and (ii) the designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary shall constitute the incurrence at the time of designation of any Indebtedness or Liens of such Subsidiary existing at such time.

(b) The Borrower may not (x) designate any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (y) designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, in each case unless no Event of Default shall have occurred or be continuing immediately before and after giving effect to such designation.

 

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(c) No Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if, upon the effectiveness of such designation, such Subsidiary is and would continue to be a restricted subsidiary under the terms of the Senior Notes Indenture or any other Material Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

SECTION 6 NEGATIVE COVENANTS

On and after the Closing Date, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations), no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

6.1 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) (i) the Obligations (including Incremental Facilities and Specified Refinancing Debt), (ii) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date (other than the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Indenture) and set forth in Schedule 6.1(a)(ii) and, in the case of this clause (ii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof, (iii) the Senior Notes and the Senior Notes Indenture outstanding on the Closing Date and, in the case of this clause (iii), any Permitted Refinancing thereof (or successive Permitted Refinancings thereof), (iv) Indebtedness evidenced by Refinancing Notes and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (or successive Permitted Refinancings thereof) and (v) Indebtedness constituting Incremental Equivalent Debt and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (or successive Permitted Refinancings thereof);

(b) Indebtedness that may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory, appeal or similar obligations (but not with respect to letters of credit) incurred in the ordinary course of business or in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, banker’s acceptances, customs, Taxes and other similar tax guarantees, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement-type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;

(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of cash pooling, customary cash management, setting off, netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with deposit and securities accounts arising in the ordinary course of business;

(d) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, such Indebtedness is extinguished within 30 days after its incurrence;

(e) Indebtedness consisting of (i) unpaid insurance premiums (not in excess of eighteen months’ premiums) owing to insurance companies and insurance brokers incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business, (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in the case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) in the ordinary course of business and (iii) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of bank guarantees, warehouse receipts, letters of credit, or similar instruments issued or created in the ordinary course of business, including in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers compensation claims; provided that any reimbursement obligations in respect thereof are reimbursed within 30 days following the due date the thereof;

 

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(f) guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(g) (i) endorsements for collection, deposit or negotiation and warranties of products or services, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business and (ii) treasury and cash management obligations, including depository, credit or debit card, purchasing cards, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements;

(h) Indebtedness and guaranties of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries owing to (or made by) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent the Investment made by the person extending such credit or making such guaranty is permitted under Section 6.6(e); provided, any such Indebtedness owing by a Credit Party to a non-Credit Party shall be subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) pursuant to terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(i) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (which may consist of promissory notes issued by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) to current or former officers, managers, consultants, directors and employees, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any parent thereof permitted by Section 6.4;

(j) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Capital Leases, Purchase Money Indebtedness and other obligations the proceeds of which are used to acquire or construct fixed or capital assets or improvements with respect thereto and any Permitted Refinancing thereof and Indebtedness incurred in connection with sale and leaseback transactions permitted hereunder in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $35,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to 50% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) at any time for all such Persons;

(k) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000,000 at any time outstanding (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Convertible Bond Indebtedness); provided, that, (x) unsecured Indebtedness in the form of Convertible Bond Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (k) shall mature no earlier than one-hundred eighty (180) days after the Initial Term Loan Maturity Date and (y) if guaranteed, any such unsecured Indebtedness shall not at any time be guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower other than Subsidiaries that are Guarantors;

(l) other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding (for the Borrower and all Restricted Subsidiaries) not in excess of the greater of (i) $35,000,000 and (ii) 50% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

 

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(m) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under Swap Contracts entered into for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person or in respect of Incremental Equivalent Debt or foreign exchange risk and in each case, not for speculative purposes;

(n) guarantees of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as, in the case of guarantee provided by a Credit Party in respect of Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, such guarantee is in the ordinary course of business;

(o) Indebtedness (other than for borrowed money) in respect of bid bonds, performance bonds, surety bonds, appeal bonds, completion guaranties and similar obligations, in each case, incurred by Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, including guaranties or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting such bid bonds, performance bonds, surety bonds, appeal bonds, completion guaranties and similar obligations;

(p) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(q) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries assumed in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investment permitted under Section 6.6, together with any Permitted Refinancing thereof, in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to 75% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) at any time for all such Persons; provided that such Indebtedness is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition; provided further that any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the Circuit Acquisition shall not be included in the calculation of the cap under this clause (q);

(r) Indebtedness in the form of reimbursement obligations under letters of credit in an aggregate face amount not to exceed the sum of (i) the face amount of the Existing Letters of Credit on the Closing Date, (ii) the face amount of any letters of credit assumed or back-stopped in connection with the consummation of the Circuit Acquisition, and (iii) $30,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(s) Indebtedness incurred in connection with, related to or associated with any governmental assistance and/or sponsored facility or program related to the COVID-19 pandemic (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any assistance, facility or program contemplated by the CARES Act or established by the Federal Reserve under the authority of Section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act); provided that any such Indebtedness shall not be senior in right of payment to the Initial Term Loans;

(t) additional secured Indebtedness, secured on a junior basis in right of security with the Obligations, of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries so long as on and as of the date of determination the Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio, is no greater than 5.00:1.00 based upon the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) or (b) (determined

 

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on a Pro Forma Basis and assuming all simultaneously established revolving credit facilities established pursuant to this clause (t) are fully drawn and excluding the cash proceeds of any borrowing under any such Indebtedness); (i) such Indebtedness shall be subject to customary intercreditor terms reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent and shall be secured solely by assets constituting Collateral securing the Obligations, (ii) such Indebtedness has a maturity date that is at least ninety-one (91) days after that of the Loans and has no scheduled amortization payments or mandatory redemption (other than customary asset sale or event of loss, change of control mandatory offers to repurchase and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the date that is at least ninety-one (91) days after the maturity of the Loans, (iii) if guaranteed, such Indebtedness shall not have guarantees from a guarantor that is not a Guarantor of the Obligations, and (iv) such Indebtedness shall have covenants no more restrictive (excluding pricing), when taken as a whole, than those under this Agreement (except for covenants or other provisions that are (A) applicable only to periods after the final maturity date of the Loans, or (B) made applicable to the Loans) (it being understood that, to the extent that any financial maintenance covenant is added for the benefit of any such Indebtedness, no consent with respect to such financial maintenance covenant shall be required from the Administrative Agent or any existing Lender to the extent that such financial maintenance covenant cross-defaults or is added to the documentation for the Loans);

(u) unsecured Indebtedness so long as the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (determined on a Pro Forma Basis) is not greater than 5.50:1:00 based upon the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Sections 5.1(a) or (b); provided, that (A) such Indebtedness shall not have guarantees from a guarantor that is not a Guarantor of the Obligations, and (B) such Indebtedness shall have covenants no more restrictive (excluding pricing), when taken as a whole, than those under this Agreement (except for covenants or other provisions that are (A) applicable only to periods after the final maturity date of the Loans, or (B) made applicable to the Loans) (it being understood that, to the extent that any financial maintenance covenant is added for the benefit of any such Indebtedness, no consent with respect to such financial maintenance covenant shall be required from the Administrative Agent or any existing Lender to the extent that such financial maintenance covenant cross-defaults or is added to the documentation for the Loans);

(v) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary that may be deemed to exist in connection with agreements providing for indemnification, deferred purchase price obligations or other purchase price adjustments and similar obligations in connection with acquisitions or sales of assets and/or businesses;

(w) Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Credit Parties in an aggregate principal amount (for all such Restricted Subsidiaries) not to exceed at any time outstanding the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) 50% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

(x) Indebtedness arising from judgments or decrees not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h);

(y) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date owed by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower;

 

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(z) (i) Earn-Out Obligations consisting of common stock of the Borrower and (ii) any other unsecured Earn-Out Obligations in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(aa) Indebtedness and guaranties of a non-wholly owned Subsidiary owing to (or made by) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent the Investment made by the person extending such credit or making such guaranty is permitted under Section 6.6(ff); and

(bb) until substantially immediately following the funding of the Initial Term Loans, Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement.

6.2 Liens. Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:

(a) (i) Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Credit Document, (ii) Liens existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.2(a)(ii) and any replacements, renewals or extensions thereof, (iii) Liens securing Incremental Equivalent Debt and any Swap Contracts and cash management obligations secured on a pari passu basis with any Incremental Equivalent Debt, which shall in all cases be subject to the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) Lien on Collateral securing Indebtedness under Section 6.1(a)(iv)-(v) and other obligations (other than Indebtedness) outstanding under the Refinancing Notes Indenture, the Permitted Incremental Equivalent Debt Documents or any Permitted Refinancing thereof ;

(b) each of the following Liens (each, a “Permitted Encumbrance”), excluding any such Lien imposed by any section of ERISA:

 

  (i)

Liens for Taxes, assessments, charges or other governmental levies if the applicable Person is in compliance with Section 5.3 with respect thereto;

 

  (ii)

statutory or common law (or restatements of such laws in underlying contracts) Liens of landlords, sub-landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, construction contractors or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (iii)

(A) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation and (B) pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

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  (iv)

pledges or deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, utilities, governmental contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness for borrowed money), statutory or regulatory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (v)

covenants, conditions, easements, rights-of-way, building codes, restrictions (including zoning restrictions), encroachments, licenses, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects or survey matters, in each case affecting Real Estate Assets and that do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and any exceptions on the Title Policies issued in connection with the Mortgaged Properties;

 

  (vi)

Liens (A) in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of Law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business or (B) on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (vii)

Liens (A) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-208 or 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection and (B) in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of Law or under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institutions general terms and conditions;

 

  (viii)

(A) any interest or title of a lessor, sub-lessor, licensor or sub-licensor under leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or not otherwise materially interfering with the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ business taken as a whole and (B) licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases with respect to any assets granted to third Persons or the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or not otherwise materially interfering with the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ business taken as a whole;

 

  (ix)

Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for sale of goods entered into by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business permitted by this Agreement;

 

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  (x)

Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

  (xi)

Liens that are contractual, statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off, rights of pledge or similar rights and remedies (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks or other deposit-taking financial institutions or investment or securities accounts, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xii)

Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in connection with any Investment, Asset Sale, letter of intent or other transaction permitted hereunder;

 

  (xiii)

ground leases in respect of Real Estate Assets on which facilities owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries are located;

 

  (xiv)

(A) zoning, building, entitlement and other land use regulations by Governmental Authorities with which the normal operation of the business complies, and (B) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

  (xv)

Liens arising from precautionary Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or similar filings;

 

  (xvi)

Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

 

  (xvii)

Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and the proceeds thereof securing such Person’s obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit or banker’s acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or goods;

 

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  (xviii)

deposits of cash with the owner or lessor of premises leased and operated by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure the performance of the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s obligations under the terms of the lease for such premises;

 

  (xix)

in the case of any non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, any put and call arrangements or restrictions on disposition related to its Equity Interests set forth in its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreement;

 

  (xx)

Liens arising by operation of law in the United States under Article 2 of the UCC in favor of a reclaiming seller of goods or buyer of goods;

 

  (xxi)

Liens disclosed as an exception to a Title Policy;

 

  (xxii)

Liens deemed to exist in connection with repurchase agreements, reverse repurchase agreements, securities lending and borrowing agreements and similar transactions;

 

  (xxiii)

Liens on amounts deposited as “security deposits” (or their equivalent) and other Liens relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in the ordinary course of business in connection with actions or transactions not prohibited by this Agreement;

 

  (xxiv)

Liens on cash and Cash Equivalents securing obligations under master netting agreements and other Swap Contracts permitted hereunder;

 

  (xxv)

Liens encumbering property or assets under construction (and proceeds or products thereof) arising from progress or partial payments by a customer of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries relating to such property or assets;

 

  (xxvi)

Liens on cash, Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with any defeasance, discharge or redemption of Indebtedness;

 

  (xxvii)

Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under Section 6.6;

(c) Liens securing judgments or orders for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.1(h);

(d) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(j); provided, such Liens do not at any time extend to or cover any assets (except for replacements, additions and accessions to such assets) other than the assets subject to such Capital Leases or Purchase Money Indebtedness or other obligation permitted thereunder and the proceeds and products thereof and customary security deposits;

 

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(e) Liens existing on property at the time of its acquisition or existing on the property of any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise securing Indebtedness acquired or assumed by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any replacements, renewals or extensions thereof; provided, (i) such Lien was not created in contemplation of such acquisition or such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien does not extend to or cover any other assets or property (other than the proceeds, products and accessions thereof and other than after-acquired property subjected to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition);

(f) Liens securing obligations of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding amount for all such Persons not to exceed the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

(g) Liens (i) in favor of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary on assets of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party securing permitted intercompany Indebtedness and (ii) in favor of the Borrower or any Guarantor; provided that any Lien made in favor of the Borrower or any Guarantor shall constitute Collateral;

(h) Liens securing any Indebtedness under Section 6.1(r), (t), (w) and any Permitted Refinancings thereof;

(i) Liens on Margin Stock owned by the Borrower and Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

(j) Liens securing any Indebtedness under Section 6.1(s) and any Permitted Refinancings thereof; provided that (x) to extent any such Liens are on Collateral, they shall not be senior in priority to the Liens securing the Obligations and (y) to the extent any such Liens are on assets not constituting Collateral, such assets are included in the Collateral substantially concurrently with the incurrence of such Indebtedness;

(k) Liens (including put and call arrangements) on Equity Interests and other securities of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(l) until substantially immediately following the funding of the Initial Term Loans, Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

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6.3 Payments and Prepayments of Junior Financing or Convertible Bond Indebtedness; Amendments to Certain Documents.

(a) Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner any Junior Financing or Convertible Bond Indebtedness (collectively, the Junior Restricted Financing”), except:

 

  (i)

the conversion or exchange of any Junior Restricted Financing to Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower or any parent thereof;

 

  (ii)

repayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other satisfaction prior to scheduled maturity in respect of any Junior Restricted Financing not to exceed $50,000,000 in aggregate;

 

  (iii)

required payments of regularly scheduled payments of interest, fees and premiums and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, mandatory prepayments required by the terms of the documentation governing such Junior Restricted Financing;

 

  (iv)

refinancings, replacements, substitutions, exchanges and renewals of any such Junior Restricted Financing to the extent such refinancing, replacement, exchange or renewed Indebtedness constitutes Junior Restricted Financing and is otherwise permitted by Section 6.1;

 

  (v)

payments of intercompany Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1;

 

  (vi)

so long as (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and (y) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 5.00 to 1.00, payments, prepayments, repurchases or redemptions with the Available Amount;

 

  (vii)

additional repayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments in respect of any Junior Restricted Financing in an aggregate amount not to exceed the unused capacity under Section 6.4(i) (it being understood that any such repayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments made in reliance on this clause (vii) shall reduce the amounts available under Section 6.4(i));

 

  (viii)

any payment that is intended to prevent any Indebtedness from being treated as an “applicable high yield discount obligation” within the meaning of Section 163(i)(1) of the Code;

 

  (ix)

so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, payments not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.3(a) using the proceeds of any issuance of common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests); provided that the payment and the issuance of such Equity Interests are substantially concurrent; and

 

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  (x)

so long as (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and (y) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 4.25 to 1.00, any payments, prepayments, repurchases or redemptions.

(b) Amend, modify or change any term or condition of any Junior Financing Documentation in violation of the applicable definition or criteria thereof of the applicable subordination terms or intercreditor agreement, or in any manner that is materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

(c) Amend, modify, waive or otherwise change, or consent or agree to any amendment, modification, waiver or other change to, any of the terms of any Organizational Document of any Credit Party or any Pledged Equity Interests if such amendment, modification, waiver or change could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.4 Restricted Payments. Declare, order, pay or make any Restricted Payment (other than dividends payable solely in common stock of the Person making such dividend) except that, without duplication:

(a) each Restricted Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower and other Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower (and, in the case of a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to the Borrower, any other Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on its relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);

(b) the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other Restricted Payments payable solely in the Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of such Person (and, in the case of such a Restricted Payment by a non-wholly owned Restricted Subsidiary, to the Borrower and any other Restricted Subsidiary and to each other owner of Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary based on their relative ownership interests of the relevant class of Equity Interests);

(c) the Borrower may (x) repurchase fractional shares of its Equity Interests arising out of stock dividends, splits or combinations, business combinations or conversions of convertible securities or exercises of warrants, options or restricted stock units, (y) “net exercise” or “net share settle” warrants, options or restricted stock units or (z) make cash settlement payments upon the exercise of warrants, options or restricted stock units to purchase its Equity Interests;

(d) the Borrower may redeem or otherwise cancel Equity Interests or rights in respect thereof granted to (or make payments on behalf of) directors, officers, employees or other providers of services to the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries in an amount required to satisfy tax withholding obligations and any exercise price for options relating to the vesting, settlement or exercise of such Equity Interests or rights;

(e) the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may make any Restricted Payment that has been declared by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Restricted Payment was otherwise permitted to be incurred under this Section 6.4 at the time of declaration and is made within 60 days of such declaration;

 

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(f) the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests pursuant to any accelerated stock repurchase or similar agreement;

(g) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom, the Borrower may make Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.4 using the proceeds of any issuance of common Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests); provided that the Restricted Payment and the issuance of such Equity Interests are substantially concurrent;

(h) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments:

(i) to (1) purchase its Equity Interests from present or former officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Borrower or Subsidiary upon the death, disability or termination of employment or services of such individual, (2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests from (A) employees and officers of the Borrower ranking at least at the senior vice president level or (B) the other employees, officers, directors and consultants of the Borrower or any Subsidiary by, in the case of this clause (2), net exercise, net settlement, net withholding or otherwise, pursuant to the terms of any employee stock option, incentive stock or other equity-based plan or arrangement and (3) consummate ordinary course net settlements made pursuant to its equity incentive program; provided, that the aggregate amount of payments under this clause (h)(i)(2)(B) and (h)(i)(3) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year (with fifty percent (50%) of unused amounts in any fiscal year being permitted to be carried over for the succeeding fiscal years) plus, in each case, any proceeds received by the Borrower after the Closing Date in connection with the issuance of Equity Interests that are used for the purposes described in this clause (h)(i) (which proceeds, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not be included in the calculation of the Available Amount); provided, further, that any payment in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall count as an Investment under Section 6.6(cc);

(ii) the proceeds of which shall be used by a parent entity to pay its operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and other corporate overhead costs and expenses (including administrative, legal, accounting and similar expenses provided by third parties), which are reasonable and customary and incurred in the ordinary course of business in any fiscal year plus any reasonable and customary indemnification claims made by directors or officers of the Borrower attributable to the ownership or operations of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(iii) the proceeds of which shall be used by the Borrower to pay franchise or similar taxes and other fees and expenses required to maintain its corporate existence;

(iv) the proceeds of which shall be used to pay customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to officers and employees of the Borrower to the extent such salaries, bonuses and other benefits are attributable to the ownership or operations of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

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(v) to allow any parent entity of the Borrower to pay fees and expenses (other than to Affiliates) related to any unsuccessful equity or debt offering by any parent entity of the Borrower that is directly attributable to the ownership or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(i) other Restricted Payments not otherwise permitted by this Section 6.4 in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to 37.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) minus any repayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and other payments made in reliance of this clause (i) in accordance with Section 6.3(a)(vii);

(j) for any taxable period for which the Borrower or any Subsidiaries of the Borrower are members of a consolidated, combined, unitary, or similar income tax group for federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes or are entities treated as disregarded from any such members for U.S. federal income Tax purposes (a “Tax Group”) of which the Borrower, any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the common parent, the Borrower and the Borrower’s Subsidiaries may make dividends or other distributions, directly or indirectly, to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (and the Borrower may make such dividends or other distributions to any direct or indirect parent company of the Borrower) to permit the parent of the Tax Group to pay any consolidated, combined or similar income Taxes of such Tax Group that are due and payable by the parent of such Tax Group for such taxable period, but only to the extent attributable to the Borrower and/or Subsidiaries of the Borrower, provided that dividends or other distributions in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted only to the extent that dividends or other distributions were made by such Unrestricted Subsidiary to such Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries for such purpose; provided further that (x) the amount of dividends permitted to be made under this Section 6.4(j) for any taxable period shall not exceed the lesser of (A) the amount of such Taxes that would have been due and payable by the Borrower and/or the applicable Subsidiaries of the Borrower had the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries of the Borrower, as applicable, been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer (or a stand-alone corporate Tax Group) and (B) the actual Tax liability of the Borrower for such taxable period, (y) to the extent that such Taxes are attributable to Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Credit Parties, such Taxes must be funded by such Subsidiaries and (z) if the Borrower receives a refund from a Governmental Authority in respect of any amounts paid pursuant to this Section 6.4(j), any subsequent distributions pursuant to this Section 6.4(j) shall be reduced by the amount of such refund;

(k) the Borrower may (i) enter into Capped Call Transactions in connection with the issuance of Convertible Bond Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1 and satisfy its obligations to pay premiums upon entering into such transactions and (ii) make any payment in connection therewith by delivery of shares of the Borrower’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower) upon net share settlement thereof (together with cash in lieu of fractional shares) or set-off, netting and/or payment of an early termination payment or similar payment thereunder upon any early termination thereof, in each case made in the Borrower’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the Equity Interests of the Borrower);

 

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(l) the Borrower may make cash payments to satisfy obligations in respect of Capped Call Transactions solely to the extent the Borrower does not have the option of satisfying such payment obligations through the issuance of the Borrower’s common stock or is required to satisfy such payment obligations in cash, it being understood and agreed that any payment made in cash in connection with Capped Call Transactions by set-off, netting and/or payment of an early termination payment or similar payment thereunder upon any early termination thereof, in each case, after using commercially reasonable efforts to satisfy such obligation (or the portion thereof remaining after giving effect to any netting or set-off against termination or similar payments under an applicable hedging transaction) by delivery of shares of the Borrower’s common stock shall be deemed to be a payment obligation required to be satisfied in cash;

(m) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments consisting of the cashless exercise of options and warrants of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(n) so long as (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 5.00 to 1.00, the Borrower may make Restricted Payments with the Available Amount; and

(o) any Restricted Payments, so long as (x) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, (y) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 4.00 to 1.00.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.4 to the contrary, (i) in no event will any Credit Party (directly or indirectly through one or a series of transactions) sell, transfer, assign or grant an exclusive license with respect to or contribute any material Intellectual Property to any non-Credit Party and (ii) in no event shall the Equity Interests in any Unrestricted Subsidiary be the subject of a dividend or other Restricted Payment (pursuant to this Section 6.4 or otherwise).

6.5 Burdensome Agreements. Create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any Contractual Obligation that encumbers or restricts the ability of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to:

(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests owned by the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; or

(b) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property or revenues;

provided, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 6.5 shall not apply to Contractual Obligations that:

 

  (i)

are binding on a Restricted Subsidiary at the time such Restricted Subsidiary first becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, so long as such Contractual Obligations were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (and any amendments or modifications thereof that do not materially expand the scope of any such prohibition restriction or condition);

 

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  (ii)

represent Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party which is permitted by Section 6.1 and which does not apply to any Credit Party;

 

  (iii)

are customary restrictions that arise in connection with (x) any Permitted Lien and relate to the property subject to such Lien or (y) arise in connection with any disposition permitted by Section 6.8 or 6.9 and relate solely to the assets or Person subject to such disposition;

 

  (iv)

are customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures permitted under Section 6.6;

 

  (v)

are negative pledges and restrictions on Liens in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1 but solely to the extent any negative pledge relates to the property financed by such Indebtedness and the proceeds, accessions and products thereof;

 

  (vi)

are customary restrictions on leases, subleases, licenses or contemplated by asset sale, merger, purchase or other similar agreements not prohibited hereby so long as such restrictions relate to the property interest, rights or the assets subject thereto;

 

  (vii)

are customary provisions restricting subletting, transfer or assignment of any lease governing a leasehold interest of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (viii)

are customary provisions restricting assignment or transfer of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (ix)

are restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (x)

arise in connection with cash or other deposits permitted under Sections 6.2 and 6.6 and limited to such cash or deposit;

 

  (xi)

are restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xii)

are restrictions regarding licensing or sublicensing by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (xiii)

are restrictions on cash earnest money deposits in favor of sellers in connection with acquisitions not prohibited hereunder;

 

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  (xiv)

are customary provisions in partnership agreements, limited liability company organizational governance documents, asset sale and stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that restrict the transfer of ownership interests in such partnership, limited liability company or similar person;

 

  (xv)

are in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.5 or any amendment thereto to the extent such amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect;

 

  (xvi)

are restrictions with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into in connection with the disposition of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (xvii)

are customary restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Liens permitted by this Agreement but solely to the extent that such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets subject to such permitted Lien;

 

  (xviii)

are customary restrictions pursuant to applicable Law, rule, regulation or order or the terms of any license, authorization, concession or permit; and

 

  (xix)

are set forth in any agreement governing Indebtedness not prohibited by Section 6.1; provided that such restrictions and conditions are customary for such Indebtedness.

6.6 Investments. Make or own any Investment in any Person except Investments in or constituting:

(a) cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) so long as (x) no Event of Default (or, in the case of an LCA Election, no Event of Default under 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g)) shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and (y) the Consolidated Senior Secured Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00, Investments with the Available Amount;

(c) Investments existing as of the Closing Date of Borrower or a Subsidiary in another Subsidiary;

(d) Equity Interests of any Guarantor acquired after the Closing Date;

(e) (i) intercompany Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Credit Party; provided that all such intercompany Investments to the extent such Investment is a loan or advance owed to a Credit Party are evidenced by an subordinated intercompany note, (ii) intercompany Investments by any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party to any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party, (iii) intercompany Investments by any Credit Party in any Restricted Subsidiary, that, after giving effect to such Investment, is not a Guarantor (including, without limitation, guarantees with respect to obligations of any such Restricted Subsidiary, loans made to any such Restricted Subsidiary and Investments resulting from mergers with or sales of assets to any such Subsidiary) in an amount (valued at cost) (but excluding all such Investments outstanding as of the Closing Date)

 

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not to exceed in the aggregate at any time outstanding $35,000,000, (iv) [reserved], (v) investments in connection with ordinary course of business cash management, cash pooling and other similar arrangements, or and (vi) investments held by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.6(e) and any modification, extension or renewal thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment is not increased at the time of such extension or renewal;

(f) accounts receivable arising and trade credit granted in the ordinary course of business;

(g) Investments consisting of non-cash loans made by the Borrower to officers, directors and employees of a Credit Party which are used by such Persons to purchase simultaneously Equity Interests of any parent thereof;

(h) promissory notes, securities and other non-cash consideration received in connection with Asset Sales permitted by Section 6.9;

(i) (i) Securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of such account debtors, (ii) deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (iii) Securities of trade creditors or customers that are received in settlement of bona fide disputes;

(j) Investments made in the ordinary course of business consisting of negotiable instruments held for collection in the ordinary course of business and lease, utility and other similar deposits in the ordinary course of business and deposits with suppliers in the ordinary course of business and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practice;

(k) advances, loans or extensions of credit by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with applicable Laws to officers, non- affiliated members of the Board of Directors, managers, consultants and employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for travel, entertainment or relocation, out of pocket or other business-related expenses;

(l) loans by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with applicable Laws to officers, non-affiliated members of the Board of Directors, managers, consultants and employees of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries the proceeds of which shall be used to purchase the Equity Interests of the Borrower in an aggregate amount outstanding for all such loans not to exceed $5,000,000 then outstanding;

(m) Investments for which the consideration consists solely of Equity Interests of the Borrower;

(n) to the extent constituting Investments, deposit and securities accounts maintained in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with the provisions of the Credit Documents;

(o) Investments consisting of Indebtedness, Liens, fundamental changes, Asset Sales and Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.4, respectively (other than by reference to this Section 6.6(o)); provided that no Investment can be made solely pursuant to this Section 6.6(o);

 

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(p) Investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or consolidates, merges or amalgamates with the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof, so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, or of such consolidation, merger or amalgamation;

(q) Permitted Acquisitions;

(r) Investments in Swap Contracts permitted under Section 6.1;

(s) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit and customary trade arrangements with customers consistent with past practices;

(t) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Investments and related transactions, including dispositions and the incurrence of intercompany Indebtedness, in connection with internal reorganizations and/or restructurings and related activities related to tax planning and reorganizations, restructurings and related activities which do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially detract from the value of the Collateral or adversely affect in any material respect the rights of the Secured Parties in respect of the Collateral or which facilitate the repatriation of cash to the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiaries;

(v) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of employees, directors, consultants, independent contractors or other service providers or other grantor trust subject to claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of the Borrower;

(w) guarantees permitted by Section 6.1 and guarantees of obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness;

(x) the licensing, cross-licensing, sublicensing or contribution of Intellectual Property rights pursuant to joint research development or marketing arrangements with Persons other than the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries which does not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(y) to the extent constituting Investments, any Capped Call Transactions;

(z) in addition to Investments otherwise expressly permitted by this Section 6.6, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, Investments in businesses permitted to be engaged in by the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Section 6.12 in an aggregate amount (valued at cost, if applicable) at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 75% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

 

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(aa) loans and advances in the ordinary course of business in respect of intercompany accounts attributable to the operation of the Borrower’s cash management system;

(bb) so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, Investments so long as the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio on a Pro Forma Basis does not exceed 5.00 to 1.00;

(cc) subject to Section 5.17, Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries (including Investments comprising the designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) an amount equal to 50% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

(dd) Investments constituting purchases and other acquisitions of websites and related assets in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice so long as the aggregate consideration in any fiscal year of the Borrower for such purchases and other acquisitions does not at any time exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 75% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b);

(ee) [reserved]; and

(ff) on and after the date on which the Circuit Acquisition is consummated, additional Investments (other than Investments in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower), so long as Liquidity, after giving effect thereto, is no less than $100,000,000.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.6 to the contrary, (x) in no event will any Credit Party (directly or indirectly through one or a series of transactions) sell, transfer, assign or grant an exclusive license with respect to or contribute any material Intellectual Property to any non-Credit Party, (y) Investments by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted to exist or be made solely in reliance on Section 6.6(cc) and (z) Investments made after the Closing Date by the Credit Parties in any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Credit Party shall not to exceed, solely in the case of this clause (z), the greater of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) 50% of Consolidated EBITDA calculated on a Pro Forma Basis for the most recent period of four Fiscal Quarters for which financial statements have been provided pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b).

6.7 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of related transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except:

(a) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged with or into the Borrower or any Guarantor, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to the Borrower or any Guarantor; provided, in the case of such a merger, the Borrower or such Guarantor, as applicable, shall be the continuing or surviving Person and shall not change its jurisdiction of establishment; and

 

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(b) any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor may be merged with or into another Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided, in the case of a merger between a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor and a Guarantor, the Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving Person and shall not change its jurisdiction of establishment;

(c) any Person may merge with or into or consolidate with the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower, if (A) any of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower (which Restricted Subsidiary shall have assumed the Obligations of the applicable Guarantor by operation of Law or through assumption documents satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to the extent a Guarantor is merged with or into or consolidated with such Restricted Subsidiary and such Guarantor is not the surviving person) is the surviving Person or (B) if the Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is not the surviving Person, (x) all Obligations of the Borrower or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have been assumed by the surviving Person by operation of Law or through assumption documents reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and (y) the surviving Person shall be organized under the laws of any jurisdiction within the United States;

(d) the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower may (A) with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary, merge into any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower for the purpose of effecting a change in its state of incorporation in the United States (if all Obligations shall have been assumed by such Restricted Subsidiary by operation of Law or through assumption documents reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), and (B) reincorporate in any other jurisdiction in the United States (including the District of Columbia), but must in each case promptly notify the Administrative Agent thereof;

(e) any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into any merger, consolidation or similar transaction with another Person to effect a transaction permitted under Section 6.6;

(f) any Immaterial Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve voluntarily; and

(g) transactions permitted under Sections 6.6 and 6.8 shall be permitted.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.7 to the contrary, in no event will any Credit Party, (directly or indirectly through one or a series of transactions) sell, transfer, assign or grant an exclusive license with respect to or contribute any material Intellectual Property to any non-Credit Party.

6.8 Asset Sales. Sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), sell and leaseback, assign, convey, license (as licensor or sublicensor), transfer or otherwise dispose to (any of the foregoing, an “Asset Sale”, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any settlement or early termination of any Capped Call Transaction shall not constitute an Asset Sale), any Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of the Borrower’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, leased or licensed, including the Equity Interests of any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of the Borrower, except:

 

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(a) the liquidation or other disposition of cash and Cash Equivalents;

(b) the sale, lease, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, exchange or disposition of inventory or other assets, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;

(c) the sale or discount, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of the applicable account debtors and dispositions of any securities received in any such bankruptcy or reorganization and the any surrender or waiver of contract rights or settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business;

(d) the sale, lease, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, exchange or disposition of used, worn out, obsolete or surplus property by the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries, including the abandonment or other disposition of intellectual property, in each case, which, in the reasonable judgment of the Borrower, is no longer economically practicable to maintain or necessary for or useful in the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(e) the sale, lease, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, exchange or disposition of equipment or Real Estate Assets to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property, (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property, or (iii) such transaction is part of a sale lease-back of such property permitted by Section 6.9;

(f) any conveyance, transfer, exchange or disposition of assets which would constitute a Restricted Payment permitted under Section 6.4 or an Investment permitted under Section 6.6 (other than, in each case, by reference to this Section 6.8(f));

(g) the sale, lease, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license, exchange or disposition of assets resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset, or consisting of or subsequent to a total loss or constructive total loss of property;

(h) Asset Sales constituting (i) Investments made in accordance with Section 6.6, (ii) sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 6.9 or (iii) Liens permitted under Section 6.1 (other than, in each case, by reference to this Section 6.8(h));

(i) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may lease or sublease (as lessee or sublessee) or license or sublicense (as licensee or sublicensee) real or personal property so long as any such lease, license, sublease or sublicense does not create a Capital Lease except to the extent permitted by Section 6.1;

(j) assignments, licenses, cross-licenses, or sublicenses with respect to Intellectual Property granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business which, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of the Collateral taken as a whole or materially interfere with the business of the Credit Parties and their Restricted Subsidiaries;

(k) Asset Sales to, between or among the Borrower and any Guarantor;

 

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(l) Asset Sales (x) between or among any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and any other Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or joint venture, (y) by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor to Borrower or any other Guarantor, or (z) by any Credit Party to a Restricted Subsidiary and/or joint venture that is not a Credit Party to the extent constituting an Investment permitted under Section 6.6(e);

(m) the unwinding or settling of any Swap Contracts;

(n) dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the applicable joint venture party as set forth in the joint venture arrangements or similar binding agreements among such joint venture party;

(o) dispositions or sales of a de minimis amount of Securities of a Restricted Subsidiary in order to qualify members of the governing body of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent required by Law;

(p) any grant of an option to purchase, lease or acquire property, so long as the disposition resulting from the exercise of such option would otherwise be permitted hereunder;

(q) Asset Sales in connection with tax restructurings and tax planning; provided that after giving effect to any such activities, the security interests of the Lenders in the Collateral, taken as a whole, would not be materially impaired, including as a result of the release of any Guarantor in connection therewith;

(r) Asset Sales of property to Persons other than the Borrower or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (including (x) the sale or issuance of Equity Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) any sale lease-back) not otherwise permitted under this Section 6.8; provided that (i) such disposition is made for fair market value, (ii) with respect to any Asset Sale pursuant to this clause (r) for a purchase price in excess of $35,000,000 for any such transaction, the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary shall receive not less than 75% of such consideration in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or publicly traded securities; provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (A) the greater of the principal amount and carrying value of any liabilities (as reflected on the most recent balance sheet of the Borrower (or a parent entity) provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto), or if incurred, accrued or increased subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the balance sheet of Borrower or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence, accrual or increase had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by Borrower of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Obligations, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets (or are otherwise extinguished in connection with the transactions relating to such Asset Sale) pursuant to a written agreement which releases the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such liabilities, (B) any securities (other than publicly traded securities) received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Asset Sale, shall be deemed to be cash and (C) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary in respect of such Asset Sale having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (r) that is at that time outstanding, not in excess

 

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(at the time of receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration) of 5% of Consolidated Total Assets for the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b) as of the time of receipt of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration, with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value, shall be deemed to be cash (for the avoidance of doubt, publicly traded securities shall not be subject to the foregoing limit);

(s) any Asset Sale of Margin Stock owned by the Borrower for cash at not less than its fair market value;

(t) (i) the issuance or sale of shares of any Restricted Subsidiary’s Equity Interests to (1) the Borrower or any Guarantor, or (2) if such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Credit Party, to another Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) compensatory issuances or grants of Equity Interests of the Borrower approved by the Borrower’s board of directors, any committee thereof or any designee of either to employees, officer, directors or consultants made pursuant to equity-based compensation plans or arrangements that have been approved by the shareholders of the Borrower;

(u) any Asset Sale of non-core assets (and other assets if required by law or applicable regulatory authorities) acquired in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or Investment permitted hereunder;

(v) Asset Sales in which the fair market value of the property does not exceed the greater of (A) 5.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Borrower in the aggregate for any fiscal year of the Borrower and (B) $5,000,000 in any fiscal year of the Borrower;

(w) dispositions of leases entered into in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, taken as a whole;

(x) Asset Sales comprised of the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and

(y) to the extent constituting Asset Sales, transactions contemplated by Sections 6.2, 6.4, 6.6 and 6.7.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6.8 to the contrary, in no event will any Credit Party (directly or indirectly through one or a series of transactions) sell, transfer, assign or grant an exclusive license with respect to or contribute any material Intellectual Property to any non-Credit Party.

6.9 Sales and Lease-Backs. Become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Person (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor), or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Person to any Person (other than the Borrower or any Guarantor) in connection with such lease, in each case other than as permitted by Section 6.8(r) or 6.1, as applicable.

 

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6.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Borrower (other than between or among the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries), on terms that are materially less favorable to the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), as the case may be, than those that might be obtained at the time from a Person who is not such an Affiliate; provided, the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) any transaction between or among the Borrower and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries not otherwise restricted hereunder;

(b) any transaction between or among non-Credit Party Restricted Subsidiaries not otherwise restricted hereunder;

(c) reasonable and customary indemnities (including the provision of directors and officers insurance) provided to, and reasonable and customary fees and out-of-pocket expense reimbursement paid to, members of the Board of Directors, officers and other employees of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(d) reasonable and customary employment, compensation (including bonus) and severance arrangements for members of the Board of Directors, officers and other employees of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and other employee benefit arrangements paid to or provided for the benefit of, directors, officers or employees thereof, each in the ordinary course of business, provided, that any payment in respect of an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall count as an Investment under Section 6.6(cc);

(e) Restricted Payments to the extent permitted under Section 6.4, Investments to the extent permitted under Section 6.6 and other transactions permitted by Section 6;

(f) any transaction existing on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 6.10(f) or any amendment thereto to the extent such amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect;

(g) transactions approved by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Borrower’s Board of Directors;

(h) any transaction involving amounts less than $5,000,000 individually and $15,000,000 in the aggregate;

(i) employment arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business between the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary and any employee thereof;

(j) pledges of Equity Interests of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(k) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers, or purchasers or sellers of goods or services or providers of employees or other labor, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Agreement that are fair to the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the members of the Board of Directors of the Borrower or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated Person; and

 

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(l) any voting agreement entered into by any holder of the Borrower’s Equity Interest existing on the Closing Date or any amendment thereto to the extent such amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect.

6.11 Fiscal Year. Change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31; provided, that Borrower may, upon written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its fiscal year to any other fiscal year reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in which case, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent will, and are hereby authorized by the Lenders to, make any adjustments to this Agreement that are necessary to reflect such change in fiscal year.

6.12 Lines of Business. Enter into any business, either directly or through any Restricted Subsidiary, except for those businesses in which the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on the date of this Agreement or that are similar, corollary, reasonably related, incidental, ancillary or complementary thereto.

6.13 Issuance of Qualified Equity Interests. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary (including any restrictions set forth in Sections 6.4, 6.7 and 6.8), but subject in all events to Section 8.1(j), for the avoidance of doubt, the Borrower shall be permitted to issue any Qualified Equity Interests.

6.14 Minimum Recurring Revenue Covenant. Cause Recurring Revenues, as of the last day of a Fiscal Quarter set forth below for the four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower than ended, to be not less than the amount set forth opposite such period in the table below:

 

Measurement Date

   Minimum
Recurring
Revenues
 

September 30, 2021

     $700,000,000  

December 31, 2021

     $700,000,000  

March 31, 2022

     $700,000,000  

June 30, 2022

     $700,000,000  

September 30, 2022

     $700,000,000  

December 31, 2022

     $700,000,000  

March 31, 2023 and the last day of each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter

     $900,000,000  

SECTION 7 GUARANTY

7.1 Guaranty of the Obligations. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.2, Guarantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 USC. § 362(a) following an Event of Default, collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).

 

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7.2 Contribution by Guarantors. All Guarantors desire to allocate among themselves (collectively, the “Contributing Guarantors”), in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by a Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Contributing Guarantors in an amount sufficient to cause each Contributing Guarantor’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. “Fair Share” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (x) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Contributing Guarantor to (y) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Contributing Guarantors times (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations. “Fair Share Contribution Amount” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder or thereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state Law; provided, solely for purposes of calculating the “Fair Share Contribution Amount” with respect to any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this Section 7.2, any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor. “Aggregate Payments” means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty (including in respect of this Section 7.2), minus (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor from the other Contributing Guarantors as contributions under this Section 7.2. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding Guarantor. The allocation among Contributing Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Contributing Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.2.

7.3 Payment by Guarantors. Subject to Section 7.2, Guarantors hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Secured Party may have at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of the Borrower to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due following an Event of Default but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 USC. § 362(a)), Guarantors will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Secured Parties, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for the Borrower’s becoming the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against the Borrower for such interest in such proceeding) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Secured Parties as aforesaid.

 

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7.4 Liability of Guarantors Absolute. Each Guarantor agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations). In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Guarantor agrees as follows:

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability;

(b) this Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not merely a contract of surety;

(c) the Administrative Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between the Borrower and any Secured Party with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

(d) the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are independent of the obligations of the Borrower and the obligations of any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the obligations of the Borrower, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not any action is brought against the Borrower or any of such other guarantors and whether or not the Borrower is joined in any such action or actions;

(e) payment by any Guarantor of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any Guarantor’s liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid when due. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Administrative Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Guarantor’s covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Guarantor from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Guarantor, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Guarantor’s liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations;

(f) any Secured Party, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand (except to the extent notice is required to be provided hereunder, in any other Credit Document or under applicable Law) and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Guarantor) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Secured Party in respect

 

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hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Secured Party may have against any such security, in each case as such Secured Party in its reasonable discretion may determine consistent herewith and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable (but so long as such sale is in accordance with applicable Law), and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Guarantor against the Borrower or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Credit Documents; and

(g) this Guaranty and the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) or unless the obligations of the Guarantors are reduced or terminated by the Agent and applicable Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether arising under the Credit Documents, at law, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) hereof, any of the other Credit Documents, or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Credit Document or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Credit Documents or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Secured Party might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations; and (v) any defenses, set-offs or counterclaims which the Borrower may allege or assert against any Secured Party in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (vi) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

7.5 Waivers by Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, for the benefit of the Secured Parties: (a) any right to require any Secured Party, as a condition of payment or performance by such Guarantor, to (i) proceed against the Borrower, any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from the Borrower, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of any Secured Party in favor of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Secured

 

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Party whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other Guarantor including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of the Borrower or any other Guarantor from any cause other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations); (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) (i) any principles or provisions of Law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Guarantor’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof (other than the default of payment), (iii) any rights to set-offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Secured Party protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (e) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to the Borrower and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.4 and any right to consent to any thereof; and (f) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by Law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms hereof (other than the defense of payment).

7.6 Guarantors Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, Etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) shall have been paid in full, each Guarantor hereby waives any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Guarantor of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise and including (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Secured Party now has or may hereafter have against the Borrower, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Secured Party. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) shall have been paid in full, each Guarantor shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Guarantor may have against any other guarantor (including any other Guarantor) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.2. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Guarantor may have against the Borrower or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Guarantor may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Secured Party may have against the Borrower, to all right, title and interest any Secured Party may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Secured Party may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) shall not have been finally and paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for the Administrative Agent on behalf of Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid over to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof and of the other Credit Documents.

 

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7.7 Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Guarantor now or hereafter held by any Guarantor (the “Obligee Guarantor”) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Guarantor after an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for the Administrative Agent on behalf of Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid over to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Guarantor under any other provision hereof.

7.8 Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

7.9 Authority of Guarantors or the Borrower. It is not necessary for any Secured Party to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Guarantor or the Borrower or the officers, members of the Board of Directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

7.10 Financial Condition of the Borrower. Any Credit Extension may be made to the Borrower or continued from time to time, in each case without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of the Borrower at the time of any such grant or continuation, as the case may be. No Secured Party shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment, or any Guarantor’s assessment, of the financial condition of the Borrower. Each Guarantor has adequate means to obtain information from the Borrower on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of the Borrower and its ability to perform its obligations under the Credit Documents, and each Guarantor assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of the Borrower and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Secured Party to disclose any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of the Borrower now known or hereafter known by any Secured Party.

7.11 Bankruptcy, Etc.

(a) The obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of the Borrower or any other Guarantor or by any defense which the Borrower or any other Guarantor may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

 

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(b) Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of Guarantors and Secured Parties that the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve the Borrower of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. Guarantors will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person to pay the Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of the Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by the Borrower, the obligations of Guarantors hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Secured Party as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

7.12 Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor. If all of the Equity Interests of any Guarantor or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof to a Person that is not the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, the Guaranty of such Guarantor or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Secured Party or any other Person effective as of the time of such sale or disposition. In addition, a Guarantor shall automatically be discharged and released of its Guaranty (i) upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary or (ii) upon the request of the Borrower, upon any Guarantor becoming an Excluded Subsidiary (other than as a result of becoming a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary).

7.13 Maximum Liability. It is the desire and intent of the Guarantors and the Secured Parties that this Guaranty shall be enforced against the Guarantor to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. The provisions of this Guaranty are severable, and in any action or proceeding involving any state corporate law, or any state, Federal or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law affecting the rights of creditors generally, if the obligations of any Guarantor under this Guaranty would otherwise be held or determined to be avoidable, invalid or unenforceable on account of the amount of such Guarantor’s liability under this Guaranty, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty to the contrary, the amount of such liability shall, without any further action by the Guarantors or the Secured Parties, be automatically limited and reduced to the highest amount that is valid and enforceable as determined in such action or proceeding (such highest amount determined hereunder being the relevant Guarantor’s “Maximum Liability”). Each Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may at any time and from time to time exceed the Maximum Liability of each Guarantor without impairing this Guaranty or affecting the rights and remedies of the Secured Parties hereunder; provided, nothing in this sentence shall be construed to increase any Guarantor’s obligations hereunder beyond its Maximum Liability.

 

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SECTION 8 EVENTS OF DEFAULT

8.1 Events of Default. The occurrence and continuance of any one or more of the following conditions or events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due. Failure by any Credit Party to pay (i) when due any principal of any Loan, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise or (ii) any interest on any Loan or any fee, expenses or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Credit Document within five (5) Business Days after the date due; or

(b) Default in Other Agreements. (i) Failure of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or more items of Material Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness under Swap Contracts, the Loans, the Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, and intercompany Indebtedness) (such Material Indebtedness, the “Specified Indebtedness”) beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor; (ii) breach or default by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any other term of (A) one or more items of Specified Indebtedness or (B) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Specified Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Specified Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, such Specified Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the satisfaction of any customary “conversion conditions” set forth in the instruments governing any Convertible Bond Indebtedness will not be deemed to constitute a default under this clause (b) on account of such satisfaction giving any holder of such Convertible Bond Indebtedness the right to convert the same and that this clause (b) shall not apply to any early payment requirement or unwinding or termination with respect to any Capped Call Transactions, or satisfaction of any condition giving rise to or permitting the foregoing in accordance with the terms thereof); or (iii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) and the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $50,000,000, or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined, but which shall not under any circumstances include any “Additional Termination Event” (however described)) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and (x) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary is required to make a payment in connection with such Termination Event, (y) the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $50,000,000, and (z) the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary shall fail to make such payment within the later to occur of five Business Days after the due date thereof and the expiration of any grace periods in such Swap Contract applicable to such payment obligation; or

(c) Breach of Certain Covenants. Failure of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in any of (i) Section 5.1(a) or (b), which failure continues for ten consecutive Business Days or (ii) Section 5.1(g)(i), Section 5.2 (as it relates to the existence of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization) and Section 6.14 (subject to Section 8.4); or

 

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(d) Breach of Representations, Etc. Any representation, warranty or certification made or deemed made by any Credit Party in any Credit Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by such Credit Party in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect (or, in the case of any representation or warranty qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of the date made or deemed made; or

(e) Other Defaults Under Credit Documents. The Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrower shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or any of the other Credit Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other subsection of this Section 8.1, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within thirty (30) days after receipt by the Borrower of notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender of such default; or

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state Law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (i) and (ii) shall continue for sixty (60) days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, Etc. (i) The Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under any Debtor Relief Law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such Law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries hall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or (iii) the Board of Directors of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.1(f); or

(h) Judgments and Attachments. Any final, non-appealable money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving in any individual or aggregate proceeding at any time an amount in excess of $50,000,000 (in each case to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company does not deny coverage or a third party indemnity and taking into account any deductibles) shall be entered or filed against the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days (or in any event later than five (5) days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder); or

 

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(i) Employee Benefit Plans. (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that results in the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) or 4068 of ERISA on the assets of the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries that primes the Liens that secure the Obligations; or

(j) Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur; or

(k) Guaranties, Collateral Documents and other Credit Documents. At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations), shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, or (ii) this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the satisfaction in full of the Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations) in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared null and void, or the Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in a material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document or the Lien securing the Obligations shall cease to constitute first priority security interests (subject to Permitted Liens, including, without limitation, until substantially immediately following the funding of the Initial Term Loans, Liens securing Indebtedness incurred under the Existing Credit Agreement), or (iii) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall contest in writing the validity or enforceability of any Credit Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, or (iv) the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall contest in writing the validity or perfection of any Lien in a material portion of Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents; or

Solely for the purpose of determining whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred under Section 8.1(f), (g) or (h), any reference in any such clause to any Restricted Subsidiary shall be deemed to include only any Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary (counting all such Subsidiaries subject to such Default or Event of Default as one Restricted Subsidiary).

8.2 Acceleration. (a) Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.1(f) or 8.1(g), automatically, and (b) upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, at the request of (or with the consent of) the Required Lenders, upon notice to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent:

 

  (i)

the aggregate principal of all Loans, all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, all fees (including any Applicable Premium) and all other Obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party; and

 

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  (ii)

the Administrative Agent shall, at the direction of the Required Lenders, cause the Collateral Agent to, exercise any and all of its other rights and remedies under applicable Law (including the UCC) or at equity, hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.

8.3 Application of Payments and Proceeds. After the acceleration of the principal amount of any of the Loans in accordance with Section 8.2, all payments and proceeds in respect of any of the Obligations received by any Agent or any Lender under any Credit Document, including any proceeds of any sale of, or other realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral, shall be applied as follows:

first, to all fees, costs, indemnities, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by or owing to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent with respect to this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or the Collateral;

second, to all fees, costs, indemnities, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by or owing to any Lender with respect to this Agreement, the other Credit Documents or the Collateral;

third, to accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations (including any interest which, but for the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such amounts);

fourth, to the principal amount of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Obligations then owing under Secured Cash Management Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations and all other Obligations, ratably among the applicable Secured Parties in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause fourth held by them;

fifth, to any other Indebtedness or obligations of any Credit Party owing to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or any Lender under the Credit Documents; and

sixth, to the Borrower or to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such balance or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

In carrying out the foregoing, (a) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to the application to the next succeeding category, and (b) each of the Persons entitled to receive a payment in any particular category shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share of amounts available to be applied pursuant thereto for such category. Each Credit Party irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments at any time or times thereafter received by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent from or on behalf of any Credit Party, and, as between each Credit Party on the one hand and the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties on the other, the Administrative Agent shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and to reapply any and all payments received against the Obligations in such manner as the Administrative Agent may deem advisable notwithstanding any previous application by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Guarantor shall not be paid with amounts received from such Guarantor or its assets, but appropriate adjustments shall be made with respect to payments from other Credit Parties to preserve the allocation to Obligations otherwise set forth above and/or the similar provisions in the other Credit Documents.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Obligations comprising under Secured Cash Management Obligations and Secured Swap Obligations shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable provider of such Secured Cash Management Obligations or counterparty to such Secured Swap Obligations, as the case may be.

8.4 Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8;

(a) For the purpose of determining whether an Event of Default under Section 6.14 has occurred as of the last day of the Test Period, the Borrower may, during the period beginning at the start of any Fiscal Quarter in which the Borrower determines that a breach of the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 may occur (a “Specified Fiscal Quarter”) until the expiration of the tenth (10th) Business Day (the “Cure Expiration Date”) after the date on which financial statements with respect to the Specified Fiscal Quarter are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a) or (b), designate any portion of the net cash proceeds from a sale or issuance of the Equity Interests (which Equity Interests shall not be Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Borrower (the “Cure Amount”) as an increase to the amount of Recurring Revenues for the Specified Fiscal Quarter and each Test Period that includes the Specified Fiscal Quarter; provided that (i) such amounts to be designated are actually received by the Borrower prior to the expiration of the Cure Expiration Date, (ii) such amounts do not exceed the aggregate amount necessary to cure any Event of Default in respect of Section 6.14 as of the end of the Specified Fiscal Quarter, (iii) such amounts shall not at any time be considered for purposes of determining pricing, mandatory prepayments, the availability or amount permitted pursuant to any term, provision or covenant hereunder or otherwise for any purpose hereunder, and (iv) the Borrower shall have provided notice to the Administrative Agent on the date such amounts are designated as a “Cure Amount” (it being understood that to the extent such notice is provided in advance of delivery of a Compliance Certificate for the applicable period, the amount of such net cash proceeds that is designated as the Cure Amount may be lower than specified in such notice to the extent that the amount necessary to cure any Event of Default in respect of Section 6.14 is less than the full amount of such originally designated amount).

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 8.1 and Section 8.2, (x) upon designation of the Cure Amount by the Borrower in an amount necessary to cure any Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Section 6.14, the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 will be deemed satisfied and complied with as of the end of the Specified Fiscal Quarter with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply with the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 and any Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 (and any other Default as a result thereof) will be deemed not to have occurred for purposes of the Credit Documents, (y) from and after the date that the Borrower delivers a written notice to the Administrative Agent that it intends to exercise its cure right under this Section 8.4 (a “Notice of Intent to Cure”) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender may exercise any rights or remedies under Section 8.2 (or under any other Credit Document) on the basis of any actual or purported Event of Default under the covenant set forth in Section 6.14 (and any other Default as a result thereof) until and unless the Cure Expiration Date has occurred without the Cure Amount having been designated and (z) no Lender shall be required to (but in its sole discretion may) make any Revolving Credit Loan from and after such time as the Administrative Agent has received the Notice of Intent to Cure unless and until the Cure Amount is actually received.                

 

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(c)  (i) In each period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters, there shall be not more than one (1) Fiscal Quarter in which the cure right set forth in this Section 8.4 is exercised and (ii) during the term of this Agreement, the Borrower may not exercise the cure right set forth in this Section 8.4 more than four (4) times in the aggregate.

SECTION 9 AGENTS

9.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Alter Domus to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Alter Domus to act on its behalf as the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as expressly set forth in Sections 9.6(a), 9.6(b), 9.14(c) and 9.14(e), the provisions of this Section are solely for the benefit of the Agents, the Lenders, and neither the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Credit Document (or any other similar term) with reference to an Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent to execute and deliver each Intercreditor Agreement and to take such action, and to exercise the powers, rights and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent thereunder and with respect thereto.

9.2 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as an Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not an Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as an Agent hereunder in its individual capacity, if applicable. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own Securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not an Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

9.3 Exculpatory Provisions.

(a) No Agent shall have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Agent:

 

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  (i)

shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

  (ii)

shall have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Credit Documents that such Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Credit Documents); provided, no Agent shall be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose such Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Credit Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law; and

 

  (iii)

shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Credit Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as an Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(b) No Agent shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.5 and Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. No Agent shall be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice conspicuously labeled as a “notice of default” and describing such Default is given to such Agent in writing by the Borrower or a Lender.

(c) No Agent shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the due execution, legality, validity, enforceability, effectiveness, genuineness, sufficiency or value of, or the attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien created or purported to be created under or in connection with, any Credit Document or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Section 3 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to such Agent.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (a) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any Lender or participant or prospective Lender or participant is a Disqualified Lender, or (b) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans or Commitments, or disclosure of confidential information, to any Disqualified Lender.

 

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9.4 Reliance by Agents. Each Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. Each Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, each Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless such Agent shall have received written notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. Each Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

9.5 Delegation of Duties. Each Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Credit Document by or through any one or more sub-agents or supplemental agents appointed by such Agent, including any Affiliate of any Agent. Each Agent and any such sub agent or supplemental agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Section shall apply to any such sub agent or supplemental agent and to the Related Parties of each Agent and any such sub-agent or supplemental agent. No Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents or supplemental agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that such Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents or supplemental agents. In connection with the designation of any such sub-agent or supplemental agent, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended solely to implement mechanical provisions customarily requested by such sub-agent or supplemental agent so long as such amendment is reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

9.6 Resignation of the Administrative Agent.

(a) Each Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor with the consent of the Borrower; provided, (x) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required while an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a), (f) or (g) exists and (y) such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, and shall be deemed to have been given unless the Borrower shall have objected to such appointment by written notice to the Required Lenders and Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty days after the retiring Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

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(b)  (i) if the Administrative Agent (x) becomes a Defaulting Lender and is not performing its role hereunder as Administrative Agent or (y) declines to approve any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement or any Credit Document that requires approval of all Lenders pursuant to Section 10.5 or if any other circumstance exists hereunder that gives the Borrower the right to replace a Lender as a party hereto, the Administrative Agent may be removed as the Administrative Agent hereunder at the request of the Borrower and the Required Lenders and (ii) the Required Lenders may, by notice in writing to the Borrower and the applicable Agent remove such Person as an Agent and, with the consent of the Borrower (provided, (x) no such consent of the Borrower shall be required while under this clause (b) if an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a), (f) or (g) exists and (y) such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, and shall be deemed to have been given unless the Borrower shall have objected to such appointment by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof), appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, (except that in the case of any Collateral held by the Collateral Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties, the retiring or removed Collateral Agent shall continue to hold such Collateral until such time as a successor Collateral Agent is appointed) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through such Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as an Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Agent, and the retiring or removed Agent (to the extent not already discharged as provided above) shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Credit Documents, the provisions of this Section and Sections 10.2 and 10.3 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Agent was acting as an Agent.

9.7 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon either Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. Without limiting the foregoing,

 

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each Lender acknowledges and agrees that neither such Lender, nor any of its respective Affiliates, participants or assignees, may rely on the Administrative Agent to carry out such Lender’s, participant’s or assignee’s customer identification program, or other obligations required or imposed under or pursuant to the PATRIOT Act or the regulations thereunder, including the regulations contained in 31 C.F.R. 103.121 (as hereafter amended or replaced, the “CIP Regulations”), or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, including any programs involving any of the following items relating to or in connection with any of the Credit Parties, their Affiliates or their agents, the Credit Documents or the transactions hereunder or contemplated hereby: (a) any identity verification procedures, (b) any recordkeeping, (c) comparisons with government lists, (d) customer notices or (e) other procedures required under the CIP Regulations or such other Laws.

9.8 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.8, 10.2 and 10.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.8, 10.2 and 10.3.

9.9 Collateral Documents and Guaranty.

(a) The Secured Parties irrevocably authorize the Collateral Agent, at its option and in its discretion,

 

  (i)

to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Credit Document (x) upon termination of all Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations (other than Remaining Obligations), (y) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of to a Person that is not a Credit Party as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted under the Credit Documents, or (z) subject to Section 10.5, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;

 

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  (ii)

to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Collateral Agent under any Credit Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.2(d); and

 

  (iii)

to release any Guarantor from its Guaranty upon consummation of any transaction not prohibited hereunder resulting in such Guarantor ceasing to constitute a Guarantor or otherwise becoming an Excluded Subsidiary (and the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively on a certificate to that effect provided to it by any Credit Party upon its reasonable request without further inquiry); provided that in no event shall any Guarantor cease to constitute a Guarantor solely as a result of (i) such Guarantor ceasing to constitute a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower after the Closing Date (unless such Person otherwise constitutes an Excluded Subsidiary (other than solely on account or constituting a non-wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower)).

Upon request by the Collateral Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.9(a).

(b) Anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Credit Party, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Secured Party hereby agree that (i) no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under any of the Credit Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as applicable, for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure or similar enforcement action by the Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale or other disposition (including pursuant to section 363(k), section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code), the Collateral Agent (or any Lender, except with respect to a “credit bid” pursuant to section 363(k), section 1129(b)(2)(a)(ii) or otherwise of the Bankruptcy Code,) may be the purchaser or licensor of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale or other disposition and the Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities) shall be entitled, upon instructions from Required Lenders, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale or disposition, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale or other disposition.

(c) Neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Collateral Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Credit Party in connection therewith, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Collateral Agent shall be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

 

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9.10 Withholding Taxes. To the extent required by any applicable Law, the Administrative Agent may withhold from any payment to any Lender an amount equivalent to any applicable withholding Tax. If the IRS or any other Governmental Authority asserts a claim that the Administrative Agent did not properly withhold Tax from amounts paid to or for the account of any Lender because the appropriate form was not delivered, was not properly executed or was invalid or because such Lender failed to notify the Administrative Agent of a change in circumstance which rendered the exemption from, or reduction of, withholding Tax ineffective or for any other reason, such Lender shall indemnify the Administrative Agent fully for all amounts paid, directly or indirectly, by the Administrative Agent as Tax or otherwise, including any penalties or interest and together with all expenses (including legal expenses, allocated internal costs and out of pocket expenses) incurred, whether or not such Tax was correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any amount due the Administrative Agent under this Section 9.10.

9.11 Agent Discretion. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein or in the other Credit Documents to the contrary, to the extent any such Credit Document grants any Agent discretion to act or refrain from acting without the direction of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.5 and Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3), such Agent shall nonetheless be entitled to request direction from the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.5 and Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3) as to the matter over which such Agent has been granted discretion, and no Agent shall be required to exercise or be liable for failure to exercise such discretion until such time as it has obtained the requested direction from the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as such Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.5 and Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3).

9.12 Indemnification by Lenders. Each Lender severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Agent, to the extent that such Agent shall not have been timely reimbursed by the Borrower, based on and to the extent of such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed indemnity payment is sought), for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Agent in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents or otherwise in its capacity as such Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents; provided no Lender shall be liable to any Agent for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent

 

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jurisdiction (it being understood and agreed that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the Required Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5) shall constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct). If any indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Agent against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s pro rata share. For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the outstanding Loans at such time (or if such indemnity payment is sought after the date on which the Loans have been paid in full in accordance with such Lender’s pro rata share immediately prior to the date on which the Loans are paid in full).

9.13 Survival. The agreements in this Section 9 and Sections 10.2 and 10.3 shall survive the resignation of any Agent, the termination of the Credit Documents and payment of the obligations hereunder.

9.14 Erroneous Payment.

(a) Each Lender hereby agrees that (i) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender) (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and demands the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect and (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert any right or claim to the Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments received, including, without limitation, waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar theory or doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a payment from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by notice of payment, or (z) that such Lender otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each case, if an error has been made each such Lender is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of receipt of such Erroneous Payment, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert any right or claim to the Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, any claim,

 

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counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments received, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar theory or doctrine. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, it shall promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge (or deemed knowledge) of such error) notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in all events no later than one Business Day thereafter, return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(c) The Borrower and each other Credit Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason (and without limiting the Administrative Agent’s rights and remedies under this Section 9.14), the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Credit Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, (i) comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower or any other Credit Party or (ii) the proceeds of realization from the enforcement of one or more of the Credit Documents against or in respect of the Borrower or one or more of the Credit Parties in each case for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

(d) In addition to any rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent provided by law, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, without prior notice to any Lender, any such notice being expressly waived by such Lender to the extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to any Erroneous Payment for which a demand has been made in accordance with this Section 9.14 and which has not been returned to the Administrative Agent, to set off and appropriate and apply against such amount any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final but excluding trust accounts), in any currency, and any other credits, indebtedness or claims, in any currency, in each case whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, at any time held or owing by Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliate, branch or agency thereof to or for the credit or the account of such Lender. The Administrative Agent agrees promptly to notify the Lender after any such setoff and application made by Administrative Agent; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

(e) Each party’s obligations under this Section 9.14 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Credit Document.

 

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SECTION 10 MISCELLANEOUS

10.1 Notices.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in Section 10.1(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile, addressed (a) in the case of the Credit Parties, as follows, (b) in the case of an Agent, to it at its address (or facsimile number) as set forth on Appendix B, (c) in the case of the Lenders, at their primary address set forth below their name on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent in writing or, in the case of a Lender which becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, in such Assignment and Assumption or (d) in the case of any party, to such other address as such party may hereafter notify to the other parties hereto. Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications, to the extent provided in Section 10.1(b), shall be effective as provided in Section 10.1(b).

the Credit Parties:

2U

7900 Harkins Road,

Lanham, MD 20706,

Attention: Paul S. Lalljie; Kevin Welch, Matthew Norden;

E-mail Address: plalljie@2u.com; kwelch@2u.com; mnorden@2u.com

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

Paul Hastings, LLP

2050 M Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20036

Attention: Brandon Bortner

E-mail Address: brandonbortner@paulhastings.com

Paul Hastings, LLP

71 South Wacker Drive

Suite 4500

Chicago, IL

60606

Attention: Holly Snow

E-mail Address: hollysnow@paulhastings.com

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided, the foregoing shall not apply to Notices to any Lender if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving Notices by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, approval of such procedures may be limited

 

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to particular notices or communications. Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefore; provided, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c) Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d) Platform.

 

  (i)

Each Credit Party agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications (as defined below) available to the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system (the “Platform”).

 

  (ii)

The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third- party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower or the other Credit Parties, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Credit Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Credit Party provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Credit Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through the Platform.

 

 

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10.2 Expenses.

(a) Borrower Expenses. The Borrower shall pay, within 30 days of receipt of a written demand with a summary statement, (a) all reasonable, documented, out of pocket expenses incurred by (x) the Agents (including the reasonable fees, out of pocket charges and disbursements of one outside legal counsel for the Agents, and, if necessary or appropriate, one local outside counsel in each reasonably necessary and materially relevant jurisdiction and in the case of other consultants and advisers, to the extent such persons are approved by the Borrower) and (y) the Lenders (including the reasonable fees, out of pocket charges and disbursements of one primary outside legal counsel for the Lenders, taken as a whole, and, if necessary and appropriate, one local counsel in each reasonably necessary and materially relevant jurisdiction and in the case of other consultants and advisers, to the extent such persons are approved by the Borrower), in connection with the Commitments, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated) and (b) all reasonable, documented out of pocket expenses incurred by any Agent or any Lender (including the reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one outside counsel for the Agents and one primary outside counsel for the Lenders (and, in the case of a conflict of interest, additional counsels, as appropriate) and if necessary or appropriate, of any special counsel and one local counsel in each reasonably necessary and materially relevant jurisdiction (and in the case of a conflict of interest, additional counsels as appropriate and in the case of other consultants and advisers, to the extent such persons are approved by the Borrower) (in each case, except allocated costs of in-house counsel)) in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) Lender Expenses. Each Lender shall promptly following written demand therefor, pay or reimburse each Agent based on and to the extent of such lender’s pro rata share of all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of any rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, including all such out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred during any legal proceeding ( including any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law) and all respective fees, charges and disbursements of a primary counsel and local counsel for the Agent Indemnitees, to the extent that the Agent Indemnitees are not timely reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the Borrower (solely to the extent, that the Borrower for any reason fails to pay any amount required under Section 10.2 or Section 10.3(a) to be paid by it to any Agent (or any sub-agent thereof),or any Related Party of any of the foregoing). For purposes hereof, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the outstanding Loans at such time (or if such indemnity payment is sought after the date on which the Loans have been paid in full in accordance with such Lender’s pro rata share immediately prior to the date on which the Loans are paid in full). The obligations of the Lenders under this Section 10.3(b) are subject to the provisions of Section 10.12.

 

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10.3 Indemnity; Certain Waivers. (a) Indemnification by Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify each Agent (and any sub-agent or Related Party thereof) (each such Person being called an “Agent Indemnitee”), each Lender (and any Related Party thereof) (each Person called a “Lender Indemnitee”; together with the Agent Indemnitee, each an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees, charges and disbursements of one primary outside counsel for Agent Indemnitees and a primary firm of counsel for the Lender Indemnitees (in each case, except allocated costs of in-house counsel and if reasonably necessary (as determined by the Agent Indemnitees or the Lender Indemnitees, as applicable), a single regulatory counsel and a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for the Agent Indemnitees and a single regulatory counsel and a single local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction for the Lender Indemnitees (plus additional counsel desirable due to actual or reasonably perceived conflict of interest among such parties)), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any Loan or the use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or any environmental liability related in any way to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, its Affiliates, its equity holders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided, such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses: (v) solely with respect to the Lender Indemnitees (and specifically excluding the Agent Indemnitees), arising from any settlement effected without the Borrower’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (w) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the bad faith, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (or any of its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents), (x) solely with respect to the Lender Indemnitees (and specifically excluding the Agent Indemnitees), a material breach of the Credit Documents by, any Lender Indemnitee (or any of its Affiliates or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors and agents), (y) relate to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim or (z) arise out of, or in connection with, any proceeding that does not involve an act or omission by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates or that is brought by an Indemnitee against any other Indemnitee (other than disputes involving claims against any Agent in its capacity as such or in a similar agency or arranger role, but not any other person or entity party to any such proceeding).

(b) [reserved].

(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no party hereto shall assert, and each party hereto hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee or any other party hereto, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan, or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that the foregoing shall not limit any Credit Party’s indemnity obligations to the extent special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages are included in any third party claim in connection with which such Indemnitee is entitled to receive indemnification hereunder.    No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

 

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(d) Payments. All amounts due under Section 10.3 shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days after written demand therefor, together with supporting documentation in reasonable detail.

(e) Survival. Each party’s obligations under Sections 10.2 and 10.3 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Administrative Agent, the termination of the Credit Documents and payment of the obligations hereunder.

10.4 Set-Off. If an Event of Default under 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency, but in any event, excluding Excluded Assets) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by such Lender, or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Credit Document to such Lender or its respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Credit Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (a) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.20 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and (b) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender and its respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided, the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.5 Amendments and Waivers. (a) Required Lenders Consent. Subject to Section 2.21 and the additional requirements of Sections 10.5(b), 10.5(c) and 10.5(d), no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any term or condition of any Credit Document, or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall be effective without the written concurrence of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) and the Required Lenders.

(b) Affected Lenders Consent. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any term or condition of any Credit Document, or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall:

 

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  (i)

increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender or extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan without the written consent of the Lender holding such Commitment or Loan;

 

  (ii)

reduce the principal amount of any Loan without the written consent of the Lender holding such Loan;

 

  (iii)

waive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment of principal of any Loan, including any scheduled amortization payment of the principal amount of any Term Loan under Section 2.1(c), or elect to make any payment due under any Credit Document not in immediately available funds in US dollars without the written consent of the Lender holding such Loan; provided, that, mandatory prepayments may be waived with the consent of the Required Lenders only;

 

  (iv)

reduce the rate of interest on any Loan without the written consent of the Lender holding such Loan; provided, that, the imposition of default interest may be waived with the consent of the Required Lenders only;

 

  (v)

reduce any fee or premium (including the Applicable Premium) payable under any Credit Document without the written consent of the Lender that is entitled to receive such fee or premium;

 

  (vi)

extend the time for payment of any interest on any Loan without the written consent of the Lender holding such Loan; provided, that, default interest may be extended or waived with the consent of the Required Lenders only; or

 

  (vii)

extend the time for payment of any fee or premium (including the Applicable Premium) payable under any Credit Document without the written consent of the Lender that is entitled to receive such fee or premium (including the Applicable Premium).

(c) Consent of all Lenders. Without the written consent of all Lenders (other than, in the case of the clauses (iv) and (v), a Defaulting Lender), no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any term or condition of any Credit Document, or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall:

 

  (i)

amend, modify, terminate or waive any term or condition of Sections 10.5 or 10.6(b)(v);

 

  (ii)

amend, modify, terminate or waive any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Credit Document that expressly provides that the consent of all Lenders is required;

 

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  (iii)

subordinate in right of payment the Obligations to any other Indebtedness; provided, that, consents or waivers from Incremental Lenders holding Incremental Facilities that are either secured on a junior basis or unsecured and were incurred in accordance with Section 2.22 shall not be required to the extent such amendment or modification arises from the incurrence of other Incremental Facilities in accordance with Section 2.22;

 

  (iv)

amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 2.14, Section 8.3, or of the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”, except to the extent necessary to permit Incremental Facilities that are either secured on a junior basis or unsecured or Incremental Equivalent Debt incurred in accordance with Section 2.22 or Section 2.25 respectively;

 

  (v)

release the Liens of the Secured Parties in all or substantially all of the Collateral, or release all or substantially all of the value of the guarantees;

 

  (vi)

subordinate the Liens of the Secured Parties in any Collateral other than to any Lien incurred under Section 6.2(d); and

 

  (vii)

consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document (except as expressly provided in the Credit Documents).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Credit Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and the other Credit Documents may be amended (or amended and restated), modified or supplemented with the written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (or the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may enter into additional Credit Documents as the Administrative Agent reasonably deems appropriate) (a) to cure any ambiguity, error, omission or inconsistency of a technical nature, defect or inconsistency, so long as such amendment, modification or supplement does not adversely affect the rights of any Lender, (b) to add one or more additional credit facilities with respect to Incremental Facilities to this Agreement, including to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with any existing Loans, as applicable, and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (c) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders; provided, that the conditions set forth in Section 2.22 are satisfied, (d) to permit the extensions of credit from time to time outstanding under any Incremental Equivalent Debt or Specified Refinancing Debt permitted to be incurred hereunder to share ratably in the benefits of Section 2.11 with any existing Term Loans to the extent applicable taking into account the obligors and scope and lien priority of the collateral securing such Specified Refinancing Debt as compared to any existing Term Loans as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower, (e) to implement changes contemplated by Section 6.11 with respect to a change in the Borrower’s fiscal year, (f) to implement any Benchmark Replacement or any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 2.21 in accordance with the terms of Section 2.21 and (g) to amend Schedules 6.1(a)(ii), 6.2(a)(ii), 6.5, 6.6(e), and 6.10(f) to give effect to the consummation of the Circuit Acquisition. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Agency Fee Letter may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated with the written consent solely of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

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Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, during such period as a Lender is a Defaulting Lender, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender will not be entitled to vote in respect of amendments and waivers hereunder and the Commitment and the outstanding Loans or other extensions of credit of such Lender hereunder will not be taken into account in determining whether the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders, as required, have approved any such amendment or waiver (and the definition of “Required Lenders”) will automatically be deemed modified accordingly for the duration of such period; provided that, subject to the limitations set forth in the first paragraph of this Section 10.1, any such amendment or waiver that would increase or extend the term of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender, extend the date fixed for the payment of principal or interest owing to such Defaulting Lender hereunder, reduce the principal amount of any obligation owing to such Defaulting Lender, reduce the amount of or the rate or amount of interest on any amount owing to such Defaulting Lender or of any fee payable to such Defaulting Lender hereunder, reduce any percentage specified in the definition of Required Lender, disproportionately affect such Defaulting Lender as compared to other Lenders holding the same class of Loans, or alter the terms of this proviso, will require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, any Lender that is at the time a Defaulting Lender shall not have any voting or approval rights under the Credit Documents and shall be excluded in determining whether all or all Affected Lenders or the Required Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to this Section 10.5); provided that (i) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (ii) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(d) Execution of Amendments, Etc. The Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of, and with the consent of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

10.6 Successors and Assigns; Participations. (a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with Section 10.6(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to Section 10.6(e) (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto, other than to a Disqualified Lender, shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in Section 10.6(d) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided, each such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

  (i)

Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in Section 10.6(b)(i)(B) in the aggregate, in the case of an assignment made in connection with the initial syndication of the Initial Term Loans to the Persons (or their Controlled Affiliates) set forth on Schedule 10.6 attached hereto or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in Section 10.6(b)(i)(A), the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $1,000,000 in the case of any assignment in respect of any Term Loan, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default under Section 8.1 has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), or, in each case, if less, all of such assigning Lender’s remaining Loans or Commitments hereunder.

provided that the foregoing limitations in clauses (A) and (B) shall not apply in the case of any assignments to the Borrower in connection with the initial syndication of the Loans pursuant to clause (v)(B) below.

 

  (ii)

Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

 

  (iii)

Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment in connection with the initial syndication of the Initial Term Loans to the Persons (or their Controlled Affiliates) set forth on Schedule 10.6 attached hereto and, otherwise, no consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by Section 10.6(b)(i)(B) and, in addition:

 

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(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed provided) shall be required unless (I) an Event of Default under Section 8.1(a), 8.1(f) or 8.1(g) has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (II) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) any unfunded Commitments with respect to any Term Loan if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect thereof, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender, or (ii) any Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

 

  (iv)

Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with all forms, certificates or other evidence each assignee is required to provide pursuant to Section 2.17(c) and a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided, the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.

 

  (v)

No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries; provided that this clause (v) shall not apply to (A) any Lender on the Closing Date or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Lender to the extent such Person becomes an Affiliate of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date, (B) assignments to the Borrower in connection with the initial syndication of the Loans, provided that any such Loans shall automatically be cancelled and retired by the Borrower (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall in no event be deemed to be a voluntary prepayment hereunder) and (C) assignments to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in accordance with clause (ix) below.

 

  (vi)

No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person)

 

  (vii)

Defaulting Lenders. No such assignment shall be made to any Defaulting Lender.

 

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  (viii)

Disqualified Lenders. No such assignment shall be made to any Disqualified Lenders.

 

  (ix)

Debt Repurchases. Assignments of Term Loans to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (“Purchasing Borrowing Party”) shall be permitted through open market purchases and/or “Dutch auctions”, so long as (i) any offer to purchase or take by assignment (other than through open market purchases) by such Purchasing Borrowing Party shall have been made to all Term Loan Lenders, (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (iii) the Term Loans purchased are immediately cancelled.

 

  (x)

Administrative Questionnaire and Regulatory Matters. If the assignee is not an existing Lender hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall have received (a) an administrative questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower and its Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws and (b) all documentation and other information reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be required by applicable regulatory authorities required under applicable “know your customer” and AML Laws, including the PATRIOT Act.

Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed administrative questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), any “know your customer” information requested by the Administrative Agent, the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 10.6(b)(iv) and any written consent to such assignment required by Section 10.6(b)(iii), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the same in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless and until it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 10.6(b).

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.6(c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.17, 10.2 and 10.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 10.6(d).

 

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(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior written notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Disqualified Lender or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person, or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries; provided that such restriction shall not apply to any Lender on the Closing Date or an Affiliate or Approved Fund of such Lender to the extent such Person becomes an Affiliate of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided, (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.3(b) with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided, such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in Section 10.5(b) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations of such sections) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(g) shall be delivered solely to the participating Lender); provided, such Participant shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.18 and Section 2.19 as if it were an assignee under Section 10.6(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.4 as though it were a Lender; provided, such Participant shall be subject to Section 2.17 as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation pursuant to this Section shall maintain a register on which it records the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of each Participant’s participation interest with respect to the Loans and the Commitments (each, a “Participant Register”). The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of a participation with respect to such Loans or Commitments for all purposes under this Agreement,

 

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notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. In maintaining the Participant Register, such Lender shall be acting as the agent of the Borrower solely for this purpose and undertakes no duty, responsibility or obligation to the Borrower (without limitation, in no event shall such Lender be a fiduciary of the Borrower for any purpose, except that such Lender shall maintain the Participant Register); provided, no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register to any Person (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, or its other obligations under this Agreement) except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish in connection with a Tax audit that such Commitment, Loan, or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations or, if different, under Sections 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.16 or 2.17 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant (except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation) unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. For the avoidance of doubt, Administrative Agent shall have no duty to maintain any Participant Register.

(e) Certain Pledges; SPCs.

 

  (i)

Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations of such Lender; provided, no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto, unless such pledgee exercises its remedies under the applicable pledge and either becomes the owner of such rights or causes another Person to become the owner of such rights.

 

  (ii)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle identified as such in writing from time to time by the Granting Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (an “SPC”) the option to provide all or any part of any Loan that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to make pursuant to this Agreement; provided, (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Loan, and (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to make all or any part of such Loan, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to make such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof. Each party hereto hereby agrees that (A) neither the grant to any SPC nor the exercise by any SPC of such option shall increase the costs or expenses or otherwise increase or change the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement (including its obligations under Section 2.16 and 2.17), (B) no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or similar payment obligation under this Agreement for which a Lender would be liable and (C) the Granting Lender shall for all purposes, including the approval of

 

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  any amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of any Credit Document, remain the lender of record hereunder. The making of a Loan by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the applicable Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent, and as if, such Loan were made by such Granting Lender. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior debt of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, or liquidation proceeding under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any SPC may (1) with notice to, but without prior consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and with the payment of a processing fee of $3,500 to the Administrative Agent, assign all or any portion of its right to receive payment with respect to any Loan to the Granting Lender and (2) disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety or guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancement to such SPC.

(f) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

10.7 Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

10.8 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Credit Extension. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Credit Party set forth in Sections 2.15(c), 2.16, 2.17, 9.14, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of the Lenders set forth in Sections 2.17, 9.3(b), 9.7 and 9.10 shall survive the payment of the Loans and the termination hereof.

10.9 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. The rights, powers and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Credit Documents. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy.

 

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10.10 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. Neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Credit Party makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or to the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Lenders), or any Agent or any Lender enforces any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any Debtor Relief Law, any other state or federal law, common law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.11 Severability. In case any provision in or obligation hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

10.12 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of the Lenders Rights. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Credit Document, and no action taken by the Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out hereof and it shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

10.13 Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

10.14 Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents and any claims, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document (except, as to any other Credit Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

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10.15 Consent to Jurisdiction. The Borrower and each other Credit Party irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against any Agent, any Lender or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Credit Document shall affect any right that each Agent, any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document against any Credit Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction. Each Credit Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document in any court referred to herein. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

10.16 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.17 Confidentiality. Each of the Agents, each of the Lenders (each, a “Lender Party”) shall hold all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries regarding any of their respective businesses (including the existence of this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or the terms or conditions hereof or thereof) other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (it being understood and agreed that all information received after the Closing Date from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall be deemed confidential unless such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as not being confidential), it being understood and agreed by the Borrower that, in any event, each Lender Party may make disclosures of such non-public information (i) to its Affiliates (other than portfolio companies) and to such Lender Party’s and its Affiliates’ respective employees, actual and prospective limited partners and investors,

 

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directors, officers, managers, legal counsel, independent auditors and other experts or agents and advisors or to such Lender Party’s current or prospective funding sources in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17 (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such information confidential, and in the case of any Lender agrees that it will be held liable for such breach of this Section 10.17); (ii) to any actual or potential assignee, transferee or Participant of any rights, benefits, interests and/or obligations under this Agreement or to any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) in swap or derivative transactions related to the Borrower and its Obligations (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such information and instructed to keep such information confidential, and in the case of any Lender agrees that it will be held liable for such breach of this Section 10.17); (iii) to (A) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the Loans and/or the Commitments or (B) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the Loans; (iv) as required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Lender Party or its Affiliates (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the NAIC); provided, unless prohibited by applicable Law or court order, each Lender Party shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of any request by such regulatory authority (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender Party by such regulatory authority) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to the actual disclosure thereof; (v) to the extent required by order of any court, governmental agency or representative thereof or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable Law or judicial process; provided, unless prohibited by applicable Law or court order, each Lender Party shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Borrower of such required disclosure prior to the actual disclosure of such non-public information; (vi) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Credit Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vii) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense, (viii) with the consent of the Borrower, or (ix) to the extent such information (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.17, (B) becomes available to such Lender Party or any of its Affiliates on a non-confidential basis from a source other than a Credit Party that does not have a duty of confidentiality to the Borrower, or (C) is independently developed by such Lender Party.

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the information provided by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including Federal and state securities Laws.

All information, including requests for waivers and amendments furnished by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent pursuant to, or in the course of administering, this Agreement, will be syndicate-level information, which may contain material non-public information about the Borrower, the Credit Parties and their Related Parties or their respective securities. Accordingly, each Lender represents to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that it has identified in its administrative questionnaire a credit contact who may receive information that may contain material non-public information in accordance with its compliance procedures and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws.

 

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Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates shall not, directly or indirectly, use the name of the Borrower or its Affiliates in any publicity, advertising or other media and may not issue a press release or otherwise publicize to any person, directly or indirectly, orally or in writing, any information related to the existence of this Credit Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or the terms or conditions hereof or thereof; provided that such party may repeat information about the transactions contemplated hereby that has been publicly announced by the Borrower and no additional information can be publicized.

10.18 Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable Law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of the Lenders and the Borrower to conform strictly to any applicable usury Laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to the Borrower.

10.19 No Strict Construction. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this Agreement.

10.20 Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any Credit Document shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

 

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10.21 Integration. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, nothing set forth in the Credit Documents shall impair in any manner the rights of the Agents and the Lenders in their other capacities under any other documents with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including as holders in respect of any warrant issued by such Person.

10.22 No Fiduciary Duty. Each Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates (collectively, the “Lender Affiliated Parties”), may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Credit Parties, and each Credit Party acknowledges and agrees (a) nothing in the Credit Documents or otherwise will be deemed to create an advisory, fiduciary or agency relationship or fiduciary or other implied duty between the Lender Affiliated Parties and each Credit Party, its stockholders or its Affiliates; (b) the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Lender Affiliated Parties, on the one hand, and each Credit Party, on the other; (c) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each of the Lender Affiliated Parties is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of any Credit Party, its management, stockholders, creditors or any other Person; (d) none of the Lender Affiliated Parties has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Credit Party with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (regardless of whether any of the Lender Affiliated Parties or any of their respective Affiliates has advised or is currently advising any Credit Party on other matters) or any other obligation to any Credit Party except the obligations expressly set forth in the Credit Documents; (e) each Credit Party has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate; (f) each Credit Party is responsible for making its own independent judgment with respect to such transactions and the process leading thereto; and (g) no Credit Party will claim that any of the Lender Affiliated Parties has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to any Credit Party, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

10.23 PATRIOT Act. Each Lender and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Credit Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Credit Parties, which information includes the name and address of each Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Credit Parties in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

10.24 Judgment Currency. In respect of any judgment or order given or made for any amount due under this Agreement or any other Credit Document that is expressed and paid in a currency (the “judgment currency”) other than the currency in which it is expressed to be payable under this Agreement or other Credit Document, the party hereto owing such amount due will indemnify the party due such amount against any loss incurred by them as a result of any variation as between (a) the rate of exchange at which the United States dollar amount is converted into the judgment currency for the purpose of such judgment or order and (b) the rate of exchange, as quoted by the Administrative Agent or by a known dealer in the judgment currency that is designated by the Administrative Agent, at which such Lender is able to purchase Dollars with the amount of the judgment currency actually received by the Administrative Agent or such Lender. The foregoing indemnity shall constitute a separate and independent obligation of the applicable party and shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, and shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any such judgment or order as aforesaid. The term “rate of exchange” shall include any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into Dollars.

 

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10.25 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Solely to the extent an Affected Financial Institution is a party to this Agreement and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Credit Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Lender that is an Affected Financial Institution arising under any Credit Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder that may be payable to it by any Lender that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

  (i)

a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

  (ii)

a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; or

 

  (iii)

the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

10.26 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFC. To the extent that the Credit Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for any Swap Contract or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support,” and each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Credit Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

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(a) In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Credit Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Credit Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

(b) As used in this Section 10.26, the following terms have the following meanings:

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

10.27 Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

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(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments or this Agreement;

(ii) the prohibited transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable so as to exempt from prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement;

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

In addition, unless either (I) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (II) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, that the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Credit Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

164


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

2U, INC., as Borrower
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
TRILOGY EDUCATION SERVICES, LLC, as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
CRITIQUEIT, INC., as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Treasurer
2U HARKINS ROAD LLC, as Guarantor
By: 2U, INC.,
Its: Sole Member
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Chief Financial Officer
2U NYC, LLC, as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Treasurer

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


2U GETSMARTER, LLC, as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Treasurer
2U GETSMARTER (US), LLC, as Guarantor
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Treasurer
2U KEIH HOLDCO, LLC, as Guarantor
By: 2U, INC.,
Its: Sole Member
By:  

/s/ Paul S. Lalljie

Name:   Paul S. Lalljie
Title:   Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


ALTER DOMUS (US) LLC,

as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent

By:  

/s/ Matthew Trybula__

Name:   Matthew Trybula
Title:   Associate Counsel

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]


MACQUARIE US TRADING LLC, as a Lender
By:  

_/s/ Michael Greenblatt

Name:   Michael Greenblatt
Title:   Authorized Signatory
By:  

_/s/ Joshua Karlin

Name:   Joshua Karlin
Title:   Authorized Signatory

[Signature Page to Credit Agreement]

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

2U, Inc. Announces Acquisition of edX Assets

 

   

Outlines terms and expected financial impact of transaction

 

   

Transaction to be funded with existing cash, including proceeds from new $475 million senior secured Term Loan B

 

   

Affirms full-year 2021 financial guidance

Lanham, Md.— June 29, 2021 — 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU), a global leader in education technology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of edX’s assets, including the edX brand, website, and marketplace, for $800 million in cash consideration. A joint release from 2U and edX with details of the transaction’s benefits to students, universities, and the future of higher education can be found at: transformingdigitaleducation.com/press-release.

2U Chief Financial Officer Paul Lalljie said, “We are excited about the significant opportunities this transaction provides to create value for shareholders and all of our stakeholders by further solidifying 2U’s position as the leading digital transformation partner to great nonprofit universities and extending our reach and ability to deliver high-quality online education offerings that meet the growing global demand from learners and corporations.”

Acquisition Expands 2U’s Leadership Position, Expected to Improve Marketing Efficiency

Together, 2U and edX will reach over 50 million learners globally, serve more than 230 universities and corporate partners, and offer over 3,500 digital programs on the world’s most comprehensive free-to-degree online education marketplace. The combination of 2U’s industry-leading marketing capabilities and the thriving marketplace at edX.org, which had more than 120 million visits in 2020, is expected to establish a scalable and sustainable marketing advantage and drive 10%-15% annual marketing cost efficiencies.

Lalljie continued, “We believe today’s transaction enhances 2U’s momentum, as our business continues to perform well and our second quarter results remain on track with our expectations. To facilitate the transaction, we closed on a $475 million senior secured term loan with attractive terms, including the ability to repay the debt at par in the event the transaction does not close.”


LOGO

 

Transaction Details

2U will fund the transaction with cash on hand, which includes the proceeds of the recently funded term loan. The transaction is expected to close within 120 days, subject to customary closing conditions. The transaction has been approved by 2U and edX’s boards of directors and is not subject to any shareholder approval or financing contingency. Morgan Stanley and Co. LLC is serving as sole financial advisor to 2U and Paul Hastings LLP is serving as legal advisor to 2U.

Senior Secured Term Loan

On June 28, 2021, 2U entered into a new $475 million senior secured Term Loan B.

The loan has a final maturity date of December 2024 and bears interest at a rate of adjusted LIBOR (with a floor of 0.75%) plus 5.75%. The loan has an original issue discount of 98.25 and an annual amortization of 1.0%. The Term Loan Credit Agreement contains customary conditions to borrowing, events of default, and covenants—including covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make investments and acquisitions, pay dividends, repurchase equity interests in the Company, and enter into affiliate transactions and asset sales.

Expected Financial Impact

In its most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, edX reported, on a non-profit basis, revenues of $84.7 million and an operating loss of $17.4 million. The transaction is expected to be accretive to 2U’s adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2023, and dilutive to adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2022 by a low single-digit percentage.

Affirming Business Outlook for Fiscal Year 2021

2U also affirmed its guidance provided on April 28, 2021 as part of its first quarter 2021 earnings release, a copy of which is available at 2U’s Investor Relations website here.

This affirmation of guidance does not include any potential impact from the edX transaction.

Transaction Conference Call

2U will be hosting an investor conference call to discuss further details of the acquisition today, June 29, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET. To access the live webcast, please visit https://www.transformingdigitaleducation.com/investor-materials/. To participate in the conference call by telephone in the U.S., dial 1-866-211-4957, or outside of the U.S., dial 1-873-415-0266, using the conference ID #8965286. A recording of the webcast will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the 2U website at http://investor.2u.com.


LOGO

 

About 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU)

Eliminating the back row in higher education is not just a metaphor—it’s our mission. For more than a decade, 2U, Inc., a global leader in education technology, has been a trusted partner and brand steward of great universities. We build, deliver, and support more than 500 digital and in-person educational offerings, including undergraduate and graduate degrees, professional certificates, boot camps, and GetSmarter short courses. Together with our partners, 2U has positively transformed the lives of more than 300,000 students and lifelong learners. To learn more, visit 2U.com. #NoBackRow

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc. (“2U”, the “company”, “our”), edX Inc., 2U’s acquisition of assets from edX (the “Acquisition”) and future business expectations, strategy and intentions all of which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements.

2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date of this press release. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to: risks related to the Acquisition, including failure to obtain applicable regulatory and governmental approvals in a timely manner or at all, integration risks and failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets; the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies; the impact of competition on the company’s industry and innovations by competitors; the company’s ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security; the company’s expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students; the company’s dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform; the company’s expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model; the company’s ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, short courses and boot camps; the company’s ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree


LOGO

 

programs, short courses and boot camps with existing university clients; the company’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of its pending and completed acquisitions, including edX and Trilogy, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company; the company’s ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability; the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the credit agreement governing its revolving credit facility; the company’s ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired; the company’s ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets; the company’s ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings; the company’s ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs; the company’s ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees; the company’s expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform; potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients; the company’s expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations; the impact and cost of stockholder activism; the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic; the company’s expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and other factors beyond the company’s control.

These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this press release may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.

Investor Contact

Ken Goff, 2U, Inc., investorinfo@2u.com

Media Contact

Glenda Felden, 2U, Inc., media@2u.com

SLIDE 1

2U and edX: An Industry Redefining Combination June 29, 2021 Exhibit 99.2


SLIDE 2

Forward Looking Statements. This presentation contains forward-looking statements regarding 2U, Inc. (“2U”, the “company”, “our”), edX Inc., 2U’s acquisition of assets from edX Inc. (the “Acquisition”) and future business expectations, strategy and intentions all of which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, including statements regarding future results of operations and financial position of 2U, including financial targets, business strategy, and plans and objectives for future operations, are forward-looking statements. 2U has based these forward-looking statements largely on its estimates of its financial results and its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, short-term and long-term business operations and objectives, and financial needs as of the date hereof. The company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results predicted, including, but not limited to: risks related to the Acquisition, including failure to obtain applicable regulatory and governmental approvals in a timely manner or at all, integration risks and failure to achieve the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition; trends in the higher education market and the market for online education, and expectations for growth in those markets; the acceptance, adoption and growth of online learning by colleges and universities, faculty, students, employers, accreditors and state and federal licensing bodies; the impact of competition on the company’s industry and innovations by competitors; the company’s ability to comply with evolving regulations and legal obligations related to data privacy, data protection and information security; the company’s expectations about the potential benefits of its cloud-based software-as-a-service technology and technology-enabled services to university clients and students; the company’s dependence on third parties to provide certain technological services or components used in its platform; the company’s expectations about the predictability, visibility and recurring nature of its business model; the company’s ability to meet the anticipated launch dates of its degree programs, short courses and boot camps; the company’s ability to acquire new university clients and expand its degree programs, short courses and boot camps with existing university clients; the company’s ability to successfully integrate the operations of its acquisitions, including edX and Trilogy, to achieve the expected benefits of its acquisitions and manage, expand and grow the combined company; the company’s ability to refinance its indebtedness on attractive terms, if at all, to better align with its focus on profitability; the company’s ability to service its substantial indebtedness and comply with the covenants and conversion obligations contained in the indenture governing its convertible senior notes and the credit agreement governing its revolving credit facility; the company’s ability to generate sufficient future operating cash flows from recent acquisitions to ensure related goodwill is not impaired; the company’s ability to execute its growth strategy in the international, undergraduate and non-degree alternative markets; the company’s ability to continue to recruit prospective students for its offerings; the company’s ability to maintain or increase student retention rates in its degree programs; the company’s ability to attract, hire and retain qualified employees; the company’s expectations about the scalability of its cloud-based platform; potential changes in regulations applicable to the company or its university clients; the company’s expectations regarding the amount of time its cash balances and other available financial resources will be sufficient to fund its operations; the impact and cost of stockholder activism; the impact of any natural disasters or public health emergencies, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic; the company’s expectations regarding the effect of the capped call transactions and regarding actions of the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates; and other factors beyond the company’s control. These and other potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in 2U’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and other SEC filings. Moreover, 2U operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for 2U management to predict all risks, nor can 2U assess the impact of all factors on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements 2U may make. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated.


SLIDE 3

Key Takeaways 1. 2. 4. 3. 5. 2U acquiring assets including brand, website, and marketplace from edX —a nonprofit founded by Harvard and MIT—for $800 million Increases TAM through combined 50M+ global learner base, 1,200+ Enterprise clients, 230+ university and corporate partners, and comprehensive suite of 3,500+ offerings ranging from free-to-degree Combined entity will have massive global audience and strong consumer brand, top five education website with traffic of 120M+ Expected to improve ROIC through increased marketing efficiency Extends leadership position and supports increased access to high-quality digital education and sustainable value creation Expected to improve marketing cost efficiency by 10-15%


SLIDE 4

Transaction Summary Transaction 2U is acquiring assets from nonprofit edX, founded by MIT and Harvard Assets include edX brand, website, and marketplace Purchase price of $800 million cash Strategic Fit Combines 2U’s marketing engine with edX’s consumer brand and marketplace Adds 3,000+ offerings to meet the needs of lifelong learners, from MOOCs through advanced degrees Adds 124 top-tier global universities, extending leadership position as digital transformation partner of choice Term Loan Closed on $475 million senior secured Term Loan B with 3.5-year maturity LIBOR plus 575 basis points, OID of 98.25 Annual amortization of 1% (~$42 million of annual interest expense) Loan repayable at par if transaction does not close Financial Impact Expected to generate annual marketing cost efficiencies of 10 – 15% within 24 months Expected to be accretive to adjusted EBITDA in FY’23 (low single-digit dilution in FY’22) On a nonprofit reporting basis, FYE 6/30/20, edX generated revenue of $84.7M and operating loss of $17.4M Approval & Closing Expected to close within ~120 days Subject to customary closing conditions


SLIDE 5

Purpose-Aligned “As a global nonprofit, we’re relentlessly pursuing a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location.” “We believe that great nonprofit universities can redefine higher education to address society’s critical needs. Education must be must be high-quality, blended and connected, relevant, accessible and affordable, and sustainable.”


SLIDE 6

Meet Circuit. Founded by Harvard and MIT in May 2012 983rd ranked website in the world (Top 5 in education) 3,000 courses driving consumer marketplace flywheel Courses from 155 partners - 15 of top 20 universities in the world FOUNDED BY HARVARD AND MIT IN MAY 2012 A shared vision of universal access to the world’s best digital education 2U and edX have each built industry leading, mission-driven organizations by focusing on two shared beliefs. First, that great nonprofit universities are the most powerful engines of social and economic mobility. And second, that online learning has the potential to change lives and, in doing so, change the world. By bringing together edX and 2U’s deeply aligned values, strengths, and complementary offerings, we’ll be able to make our shared vision of universal access to high-quality education a reality.


SLIDE 7

REGISTERED LEARNERS 39M ALL-TIME ENROLLMENTS 115M LEARNERS ENGAGED IN COURSE CONTENT PER DAY 85K ‘20 MARKETPLACE VISITS 120M RANKED WEBSITE IN THE WORLD (TOP 5 IN EDUCATION) #983 3K COURSES DRIVING CONSUMER MARKETPLACE FLYWHEEL 2012 BY HARVARD AND MIT 15 20 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD OF TOP FOUNDED IN REGISTERED LEARNERS 35M ENROLLMENTS 110M LEARNERS ENGAGED IN COURSE CONTENT PER DAY 85K HOURS OF VIDEO CONSUMED 39M RANKED WEBSITE IN THE WORLD (TOP 5 IN EDUCATION) 983 RD 3K 15 COURSES DRIVING CONSUMER MARKETPLACE FLYWHEEL COURSES FROM 155 PARTNERS 20 UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD 2012 BY HARVARD AND MIT OF TOP FOUNDED IN Every individual has the potential to create change, whether in their life, their community, or the world. The transformative power of education is what unlocks that potential. Yet, access to high-quality education has been a privilege of the few. Back in 2012, edX realized it was time for a seismic shift in learning. From the tried and true to the leading edge. From “for some” to “for all.” By opening the classroom through online learning, edX empowers millions of learners to unlock their potential. Meet edX “I am happy and grateful that edX is offering high-quality education to the world”


SLIDE 8

A Compelling Combination LEARNERS 39M PARTNERS 165 OFFERINGS 3,000 CORPORATE CLIENTS 1,000 LEARNERS 15M PARTNERS 80 OFFERINGS 500 CORPORATE CLIENTS 200 LEARNERS 50M PARTNERS 230 OFFERINGS 3,500 CORPORATE CLIENTS 1,200 As of June 29, 2021 More than: More than: More than:


SLIDE 9

Promote access Profitable growth Build a scalable marketing advantage by combining best-in-class program marketing with a thriving consumer marketplace Strategic Rationale edX brand equity Leverage edX’s strong brand equity for interactions with learners, from initial marketplace experience throughout the student lifecycle Enhance geographic footprint Leverage edX’s global footprint to increase addressable market with a broader international audience Grow Enterprise Grow our Enterprise revenue, leveraging edX’s expansive portfolio, our unmatched product suite, and new models including subscription Expand product offerings Expand our product offerings to meet learners’ evolving needs, from free to degree Embed learning tech Opportunity to build upon highly scalable open source learning environment


SLIDE 10

500+ Offerings 80+ Partners 3,000+ Offerings 165+ Partners Boot Camps MicroBachelors® MicroMasters® Masters Degrees Masters Degrees Short Courses MOOCs (free & paid) 230+ PARTNERS 3,500+ OFFERINGS COMBINED Undergraduate Degrees Doctorate Degrees Unmatched Free-to-Degree Offerings Professional Certificates As of June 29, 2021


SLIDE 11

Expanded Addressable Market (2025 Market Estimates) Z $7.3T $2.3T $117B $498B $117B Global Education Workforce Education Global Post-Secondary Education Global Online Degrees & Micro-Credentials edX adds 1,000+ Enterprise Clients edX adds 39M learners, 79% international Source: HolonIQ, Online Degree and Micro-Credential Market to Reach $117B by 2025, March 3, 2021


SLIDE 12

Accelerating Market Growth ESTIMATED LONG-TERM CAGR INCREASED 2-POINTS SINCE THE PANDEMIC, SHOWING A LASTING IMPACT FROM ACCELERATED ADOPTION OF ONLINE EDUCATION. Estimated long-term CAGR increased 2-points as a result of the pandemic, showing a lasting positive impact from accelerated adoption of online education. 17% CAGR $ BILLIONS 17% CAGR ‘19–‘25 Source: HolonIQ, Online Degree and Micro-Credential Market to Reach $117B by 2025, March 3, 2021


SLIDE 13

ESTIMATED LONG-TERM CAGR INCREASED 2-POINTS SINCE THE PANDEMIC, SHOWING A LASTING IMPACT FROM ACCELERATED ADOPTION OF ONLINE EDUCATION. Creating an Unmatched Portfolio of Global University Partners 2U and edX partner with 38 of the 50 best global universities (ranked by U.S. News) As of June 29, 2021


SLIDE 14

Scale and Reach Drive Value-Creating Cost Synergies REGISTERED LEARNERS 39M+ ‘20 MARKETPLACE VISITS 120M+ 1 As of March 31, 2021 EXPECTED ANNUAL SAVINGS OPPORTUNITY (10-15%) $40-60M TTM MARKETING & SALES EXPENSE1 $404M Leveraging global reach of engaged learners and edX brand awareness to achieve sustained marketing cost efficiencies


SLIDE 15

0.01% Conversion Rate 0.03% Conversion Rate With Incremental Enrollments (Illustrative) Average Cost Per Enrollment Marketing cost synergies are realistic and achievable (Illustrative Example) 120 Million Website Visitors 38 Million Registered Learners .01% Incremental Conversion Rate .03% Incremental Conversion Rate ~12,000 Incremental Enrollments 2020 Actual ~$3,900 ~$3,500 With Incremental Enrollments (Illustrative) Average Enrollment Cost 2020 Actual ‘20 MARKETPLACE VISITS 120M ~$3.9K ~$3.5K REGISTERED LEARNERS 39M 12,000 INCREMENTAL ENROLLMENTS ~ What’s needed to achieve a 10%+ reduction in average cost-per-enrollment? OR X X


SLIDE 16

Proven marketing engine + consumer marketplace = sustainable marketing efficiency Top 5 EDUCATION SITES ON GOOGLE 75 DOMAIN AUTHORITY 2.3M+ FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA #3 SHARE OF VOICE IN NON-BRANDED SEARCH TERMS MULTI- channel program -SPECIFIC MULTI- audience


SLIDE 17

Multiple value creation opportunities beyond marketing synergies Mission alignment with Harvard and MIT – continued investment in Open edX platform Putting our marketing expertise behind edX’s existing products Free-to-degree suite of offerings that matches lifelong learner journey Extend our offerings into broad base of Enterprise clients Deepening relationships and increasing share of wallet with unmatched set of university partners Broad deployment of edX for Campus supporting 850 universities on campus education Graduates of any of our offerings likely to consider additional offerings in the future Marketing cost efficiencies from existing global user base and consumer brand equity


SLIDE 18

Uses ($MM) Purchase of edX $ 800 Fees & Expenses 15 Total Sources $ 815 Sources ($MM) New Term Loan B $ 475 Cash from Balance Sheet 340 Total Sources $ 815 3/31/2021 Acquisition and Financing Adjustments Pro Forma 3/31/2021 ($MM) Amount Amount Cash & Cash Equivalents $ 487 (340) $ 147 Revolving Credit Facility - - N/A Senior Secured Term Loan B - 475 475 Total Secured Debt $ 0 475 Net Secured Debt $ (487) 328 Convertible Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2025 380 380 Total Debt $ 380 855 Total Net Debt $ (107) $ 708 Term loan repayable without penalty if transaction does not close. Transaction Funded with Cash on Hand Includes Proceeds from New Term Loan Term loan repayable at par if transaction does not close.


SLIDE 19

2U Investment Thesis Strengthened by edX Combination Leading position in multi-trillion dollar1 market with accelerating digital adoption Uniquely positioned to develop high-quality educational offerings across the Career Curriculum Continuum Preferred digital transformation partner for top global institutions Sizable and scalable platform delivering strong growth Sustainable, resilient business model with financial flexibility to execute strategy and drive to cash generation Extends leadership position and significantly increases TAM Combined company will be sole provider of offerings from free to degree across the CCC Grows top global nonprofit university partner count to 185 Combination will produce the most robust consumer education marketplace Increases scale, enhances marketing efficiency, and accretive to growth 1Source: HolonIQ, Online Degree and Micro-Credential Market to Reach $117B by 2025, March 3, 2021