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): July 1, 2021

 

 

AvePoint, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39048   83-4461709

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)

525 Washington Blvd, Suite 1400

Jersey City, NJ

  07310
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (201) 793-1111

Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation 533 Airport Blvd, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations 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(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.0001

per share

  AVPT   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   AVPTW   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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. ☐

 

 

 


Introductory Note

Overview

On July 1, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), AvePoint, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy AvePoint”), Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Apex”), Athena Technology Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub 1”) and Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Merger Sub 2”, and together with Merger Sub 1, the “Merger Subs”), consummated the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated November 23, 2020, by and among Apex, Legacy AvePoint and Merger Subs, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated December 30, 2020, Amendment No. 2, dated March 8, 2021 and Amendment No. 3, dated May 18, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), following the approval at a special meeting of the stockholders of Apex held on June 30, 2021 (the “Special Meeting”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, a business combination of Legacy AvePoint and Apex was effected by the merger of Merger Sub 1 with and into Legacy AvePoint (the “First Merger”), with Legacy AvePoint surviving the First Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apex, and promptly following the First Merger, Legacy AvePoint was merged with and into Merger Sub 2 (the “Second Merger”), with Merger Sub 2 surviving the Second Merger (the “Surviving Entity”) as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apex (the Second Merger together with the First Merger, the “Mergers” and, collectively with the other transactions described in the Business Combination Agreement, the “Business Combination”). Following the consummation of the Mergers on the Closing Date, the Surviving Entity changed its name to AvePoint US, LLC and Apex changed its name from Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation to AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”).

In connection with Special Meeting and the Business Combination, holders of 17,372 shares of Apex common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Apex Common Stock”), or 0.05% of the shares with redemption rights, exercised their right to redeem their shares for cash at a redemption price of approximately $10.05 per share, for an aggregate redemption amount of $174,582.

Conversion and Exchange of Equity in the Business Combination

At the effective time of the First Merger (the “Effective Time”), as a result of the First Merger, each share of Legacy AvePoint preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Legacy AvePoint Preferred Stock”) that was then issued and outstanding was cancelled and converted into the right to receive the following: (x) the number of shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”) equal to (1) (A) (i) the aggregate amount of shares of Common Stock distributable to the holders of the Legacy AvePoint Preferred Stock in the First Merger multiplied by the Per Share Amount (as defined below), minus (ii) $135 million, divided by (B) $10.00, divided by (2) the aggregate number of shares Legacy AvePoint common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Legacy AvePoint Common Stock”) issuable upon the conversion of the Legacy AvePoint Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time; (y) an amount in cash equal to (i) $135 million in cash (subject to deduction for the aggregate amount of the PIPE financing fees payable by the holders of the Legacy AvePoint Preferred Stock in the First Merger), divided by the aggregate number of shares Legacy AvePoint Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Legacy AvePoint Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time; and (z) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to the aggregate amount of the contingent consideration, if any, that is distributed to the holders Legacy AvePoint securities, divided by the fully diluted number of Legacy AvePoint securities.

At the Effective Time, as a result of the First Merger, each share of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (excluding any dissenting shares and shares held by certain executives of Legacy AvePoint) (such shares, the “Named Executive Shares”) was cancelled and converted into the right to receive the following: (x) an amount in cash equal to (1) the gross merger consideration divided by the number of fully diluted number of Legacy AvePoint securities (the “Per Share Amount”), multiplied by (2) the applicable percentage of cash elected to be received by the applicable holder of such shares (subject to withholding such holder’s pro rata share of the PIPE financing fees payable by such holder); (y) the number of shares of Common Stock equal to (1) (A) the Per Share Amount, multiplied by (B) the difference obtained by subtracting applicable percentage of cash elected to be received by the applicable holder of such shares from one, divided by (2) $10.00; provided that if the aggregate amount of cash elected by all such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock prior to any adjustment

 

2


pursuant to this proviso exceeded the aggregate amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock, then the cash election percentage was cut back on a proportionate basis until the amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock pursuant to such adjusted elections equaled the maximum amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock.

Immediately prior to the Effective Time, certain executives of Legacy AvePoint (the “Named Executives”) contributed the Named Executive Shares to Apex in exchange for (x) with respect to certain of the Named Executive Shares, an amount in cash equal to the Per Share Amount (subject to withholding such Named Executive’s pro rata share of the PIPE financing fees payable by such holder) and (y) with respect to remaining Named Executive Shares, a number of shares of Common Stock equal to (1) the Per Share Amount, divided by (2) $10.00; provided that if the aggregate amount of cash elected by all holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock other than the Named Executives prior to any adjustment pursuant to this proviso exceeded the aggregate amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock, then the number of Named Executive Shares contributed to Apex in exchange for cash was decreased on a proportionate basis (and the number of Named Executive Shares contributed to Apex in exchange for shares of Common Stock was increased by an equivalent amount) until the amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock pursuant to the adjusted elections equaled the maximum amount of cash available for distribution to such holders of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock.

At the Effective Time, as a result of the First Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of Merger Sub 1 issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time was cancelled and converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of Legacy AvePoint, the surviving corporation in the First Merger.

At the Effective Time, as a result of the First Merger, each option to purchase Legacy AvePoint Common Stock that was outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested (other than certain options held by the Named Executives (such options, the “Named Executive Cash-Settled Options”) and options granted pursuant to a PRC stock option award to employees and other service providers in the People’s Republic of China (such options, the “PRC Options”), was cancelled and converted into an option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock (such option, an “Exchanged Option”) equal to the product (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (x) the number of shares of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock subject to such Legacy AvePoint option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (y) the Per Share Amount divided by $10.00 (the “Exchange Ratio”), at an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (1) the exercise price per share of such Legacy AvePoint option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by (2) the Exchange Ratio. Except as specifically provided in the Business Combination Agreement, following the Effective Time, each Exchanged Option will continue to be governed by the same terms and conditions (including vesting and exercisability terms) as were applicable to the corresponding former Legacy AvePoint option immediately prior to the Effective Time. At the Effective Time, as a result of the First Merger, each PRC Option was cancelled. Each cancelled PRC Option will be replaced and substituted with the award of a new stock option to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan equal to the product of (rounded down to the nearest whole number) of (A) the number of shares of Legacy AvePoint common Stock subject to such PRC Option immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the Exchange Ratio, at an exercise price (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (i) the exercise price per share of such PRC Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, divided by (ii) the Exchange Ratio. The replacement stock options will be credited with vesting to the same extent as the PRC Options being replaced, and the new replacement awards will be subject to the same vesting schedule and exercisability provisions. In other respects, the such new stock options will be governed by the terms and conditions of the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”).

At the Effective Time, as a result of the First Merger, each Named-Executive Cash Settled-Option that was outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time was cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount of cash equal to (x) the number of shares of Legacy AvePoint Common Stock subject to such Named-Executive Cash Settled Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (y) (1) the Per Share Amount, minus (2) the exercise price attributable to such Named-Executive Cash Settled Option.

Promptly following the Effective Time, upon the effective time of the Second Merger, as a result of the Second Merger, each share of common stock of Legacy AvePoint, the surviving corporation in the First Merger issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of such Second Merger was cancelled and converted into one newly issued, fully paid and non-assessable common membership unit of the Surviving Entity.

 

3


A description of the Business Combination and the terms of the Business Combination Agreement are included in the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement, dated June 2, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 71 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The foregoing description of the Business Combination Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Business Combination Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

PIPE Subscription Agreements

On the Closing Date, a number of purchasers (each, a “Subscriber”) purchased from the Company an aggregate of 14,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the “PIPE Shares”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $140.0 million, pursuant to separate subscription agreements entered into effective as of November 23, 2020, as amended (each, a “Subscription Agreement”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, the Company granted certain registration rights to the Subscribers with respect to the PIPE Shares. The sale of the PIPE Shares was consummated concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”). A description of the Subscription Agreements is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination—Subscription Agreements” on page 90 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Form of PIPE Subscription Agreement and Form of Amendment No. 1 to PIPE Subscription Agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1 and 10.2, respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Lock-Up Agreements

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company, certain stockholders of Apex and certain stockholders, officers and directors of Legacy AvePoint entered into a Lock-Up Agreement (each, a “Lock-Up Agreement”). The terms of the Lock-up Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination—Lock-Up Agreements” on page 89 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Holders of 100,003,796 shares of Common Stock are subject to a Lock-Up Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Lock-Up Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of Lock-Up Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

On the Closing Date, that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 16, 2019, was amended and restated, and certain persons and entities receiving shares of Common Stock pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement and certain persons and entities holding securities of Apex prior to the Closing entered into the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (the “A&R Registration Rights Agreement”). The terms of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal—Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination—Registration Rights Agreement” on page 89 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Following the Closing, holders of 100,413,555 shares of Common Stock (including up to 405,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase Common Stock) are entitled to certain registration rights.

The foregoing description of the A&R Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of A&R Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

4


Indemnification Agreements

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements require the Company to indemnify its directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of the Company’s directors or executive officers or any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at the Company’s request.

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference.

Amended HSBC Loan Agreement; Pledge Agreement and Limited Guaranty

In April 2020, Legacy AvePoint entered into a loan and security agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with HSBC Ventures Bank USA Inc. (“HSBC”), a commercial bank.

On July 1, 2021, Legacy AvePoint effected an assignment of its existing rights and obligations under the Loan Agreement to AvePoint US, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, through entry into a limited consent and first amendment to the Loan Agreement (the “Amended Loan Agreement”) and an assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”). In addition, the Company’s board of directors approved the Company’s entry into a pledge agreement (the “Pledge Agreement”) and limited guaranty (the “Limited Guaranty”) in favor of HSBC, pursuant to which the Company pledged 100% of the AvePoint US, LLC equity held by it (the “Pledged Equity”) as collateral in support of the borrower’s obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement and further provided a payment guarantee to HSBC on behalf of AvePoint US, LLC equal to the value of the Pledged Equity and capped at the amount actually borrowed under the Amended Loan Agreement.

The Amended Loan Agreement’s substantive economic terms were not amended from the original Loan Agreement. The Amended Loan Agreement provides for a revolving line of credit of up to $30.0 million, with an additional $20.0 million accordion feature for additional capital which AvePoint US, LLC may draw at its request. Borrowings under the line bear interest at a rate equal to LIBOR plus 3.5%. The line carries an unused fee of 0.5% per year. The proceeds of borrowings under the Amended Loan Agreement will be used for general corporate purposes. Currently, there is no outstanding balance under the revolving line of credit.

AvePoint US, LLC, on a consolidated basis with its subsidiaries, is required to maintain a specified adjusted quick ratio, tested by the bank each quarter. Pursuant to the Amended Loan Agreement, AvePoint US, LLC pledged, assigned, and granted HSBC a security interest in all shares of its subsidiaries, future proceeds, and assets as security for its obligations under the Amended Loan Agreement. The line will mature on April 7, 2023.

To date, AvePoint US, LLC is in compliance with all covenants under the Amended Loan Agreement and has not borrowed under the Amended Loan Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Amended Loan Agreement, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, the Pledge Agreement and the Limited Guaranty is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the forms of such agreements, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.21, 10.22, 10.23 and 10.24 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition of Disposition of Assets.

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination, the Company had the following outstanding securities:

 

   

180,272,767 shares of Common Stock; and

 

   

17,905,000 warrants, each exercisable for one share of Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share (the “Warrants”).

 

5


FORM 10 INFORMATION

Item 2.01(f) of this Current Report on Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as Apex was immediately before the Business Combination, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company, as the successor registrant to Apex, is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company makes forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in documents incorporated herein by reference. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K, regarding the Company’s future financial performance, as well as the Company’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company, incident to its business.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in any document incorporated herein by reference should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

 

   

the Company’s ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably following the Closing;

 

   

the Company’s financial and business performance following the Business Combination, including financial projections and business metrics;

 

   

changes in the Company’s strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans;

 

   

the implementation, market acceptance and success of the Company’s business model and growth strategy;

 

6


   

the Company’s expectations and forecasts with respect to the size and growth of the cloud industry and digital transformation in general and Microsoft’s products and services in particular;

 

   

the ability of the Company’s products and services to meet customers’ compliance and regulatory needs;

 

   

the Company’s ability to compete with others in the digital transformation industry;

 

   

the Company’s ability to grow its market share;

 

   

the Company’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees and management;

 

   

the Company’s ability to adapt to changes in consumer preferences, perception and spending habits and develop and expand its product offerings and gain market acceptance of its products, including in new geographies;

 

   

the Company’s ability to develop and maintain its brand and reputation;

 

   

developments and projections relating to the Company’s competitors and industry;

 

   

the impact of health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business and the actions the Company may take in response thereto;

 

   

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on customer demands for cloud services;

 

   

the Company’s expectations regarding its ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

 

   

expectations regarding the time during which the Company will be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act; and

 

   

the Company’s future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash.

Please see the other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, statements that “AvePoint believes” or “Apex believes” and similar statements reflect AvePoint’s or Apex’s beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to AvePoint or Apex, as the case may be, as of the date of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and while AvePoint or Apex, as the case may be, believes such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and such statements should not be read to indicate that such party has conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

Business and Properties

The business and properties of Apex and Legacy AvePoint prior to the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “Information About Apex” and “Information About AvePoint” beginning on pages 167 and 115, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Risk Factors

The risks associated with the Company’s business are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 18 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

7


Selected Historical Financial Information

The selected historical financial information and other data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 for Legacy AvePoint is included in the section titled “Selected Historical Financial Information of AvePoint” beginning on page 12 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 53 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Legacy AvePoint prior to the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “AvePoint Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” beginning on page 145 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Directors and Executive Officers

The Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 183 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Compensation

Information with respect to the compensation of the Company’s executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “AvePoint’s Executive Compensation” beginning on page 136 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the compensation of the Company’s executive officers is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the employment agreements of Messrs. Gong, Jiang and Brown, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.17, 10.18 and 10.19, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Director Compensation

Information with respect to the compensation of the Company’s directors is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections titled “AvePoint’s Executive Compensation—Non-Employee Director Compensation” on page 142 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Closing, by:

 

   

each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of Common Stock upon the Closing of the Business Combination;

 

   

each of the Company’s executive officers and directors; and

 

   

all of the Company’s executive officers and directors as a group upon the Closing.

 

8


Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and restricted stock units that are currently exercisable or vested or that will become exercisable or vest within 60 days. This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13G or 13D filed with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the Company believes that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by them. The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on 180,272,767 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Number of
Shares
     Percentage of
Common
Stock
Outstanding
 

5% or Greater Stockholders:

     

Entities affiliated with Sixth Street(2)

     28,500,592        15.8

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

     

Xunkai Gong(3)

     17,848,331        9.9  

Tianyi Jiang(4)

     16,979,834        9.4  

Brian Brown(5)

     2,106,229        1.2  

Stephen CuUnjieng(6)

     66,063        *  

Jeff Epstein(7)

     50,000        *  

John Ho(8)

     4,215,890        2.3  

Jeffrey Teper(9)

     66,063        *  

Sophia Wu(10)

     168,117        *  

Andy Yong(11)

     124,267        *  

All current directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)

     41,624,794        22.8  

 

* Less than one percent.

  (1)

Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is C/O AvePoint, Inc., 525 Washington Blvd, Suite 1400 Jersey City, NJ, 07310.

  (2)

Consists of shares of Common Stock issued upon exchange for shares of Series C Convertible Preferred shares of AvePoint held by Avatar Investment Opportunities, LLC, Avatar Investment Solutions (A), LLC and Avatar Investment Solutions 1, LLC. Redwood IV Finance 1, LLC is the managing member of Avatar Investment Opportunities, LLC. TCS Finance (A), LLC is the managing member of Avatar Investment Solutions (A), LLC. TCS Finance 1, LLC is the managing member of Avatar Investment Solutions 1, LLC. TSSP Opportunities GenPar IV, L.P. is the manager of Redwood IV Finance 1, LLC. TSSP Capital Solutions GenPar, L.P. is the manager of each of TCS Finance (A), LLC and TCS Finance 1, LLC. Each of TSSP Opportunities GenPar IV, L.P. and TSSP Capital Solutions GenPar, L.P. is ultimately indirectly controlled by Alan Waxman. The address for each of these entities is 2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas 72501. The principal business address for Mr. Waxman is c/o Sixth Street Partners, LLC, 345 California Street, Suite 3300, San Francisco, CA 94104.

  (3)

Consists of (i) 17,239,634 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock and (ii) 608,697 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of July 1, 2021 (the “Ownership Date”). The 17,239,634 shares include (i) 4,788,670 shares held by Mr. Gong’s affiliate Giocoso Holdings LLC, (ii) 804,757 shares held by Mr. Gong’s affiliate Cadenza Holdings LLC and (iii) 239,431 shares held by Mr. Gong’s affiliate Vivace Holdings LLC, each of which Mr. Gong may be deemed to beneficially own, as well as 2,011,112 shares held by The Purple Harbor Trust, for which Mr. Gong is the trustee, 2,011,112 shares held by The Purple Cove Trust, for which Mr. Gong is the trustee, and 7,384,552 shares held by G Sonata Trust, for which Mr. Gong is the trustee. Mr. Gong holds sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held of record by each trust.

 

9


  (4)

Consists of (i) 14,291,427 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock, (ii) 1,862,424 shares of Common Stock issuable on the earlier of (a) July 1, 2022 and (b) specified events including change of control of the Company, separation of service and Mr. Jiang’s disability or death, pursuant to an agreement between the Company and Mr. Jiang dated June 30, 2021 and (iii) 825,983 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of the Ownership Date. The 14,291,427 shares include 3,902,404 shares held by Mr. Jiang’s affiliate River Valley Ltd. and 2,633,766 shares held by Red Kite LLC, which Mr. Jiang may be deemed to beneficially own, as well as 7,755,257 shares held by the Capella 2021 GRAT, for which Mr. Jiang is the trustee.

  (5)

Consists of (i) 90,304 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock, (ii) 1,732,488 shares of Common Stock issuable on the earlier of (a) July 1, 2022 and (b) specified events including change of control of the Company, separation of service and Mr. Brown’s disability or death, pursuant to an agreement between the Company and Mr. Brown dated June 30, 2021 and (iii) 283,437 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of the Ownership Date.

  (6)

Consists of 66,063 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of the Ownership Date.

  (7)

Consists of 50,000 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE. These numbers are calculated without regard to Mr. Epstein’s membership interest in Apex Technology Sponsor LLC.

  (8)

Consists of (i) 200,000 shares of Common Stock purchased in the PIPE and (ii) 4,015,890 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock held by Mr. Ho’s affiliate, Balmoral Blue Limited, which Mr. Ho may be deemed to beneficially own.

  (9)

Consists of 66,063 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of the Ownership Date.

  (10)

Consists of 168,117 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock held by Ms. Wu’s spouse.

  (11)

Consists of (i) 4,759 shares of Common Stock issued in exchange for outstanding Legacy AvePoint Common Stock and (ii) 119,508 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to Exchanged Options exercisable within 60 days of the Ownership Date.

Certain Relationships and Related Business Combination

Certain relationships and related party transactions are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Certain AvePoint Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Certain Apex Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on pages 143 and 181, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

There is no material litigation, arbitration or governmental proceeding currently pending against the Company or any members of its management team.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Market Information and Holders

Apex’s common stock and warrants were historically quoted on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbols “APXT” and “APXTW,” respectively. The Common Stock and Warrants began trading on The Nasdaq Global Market under the new trading symbols “AVPT” and “AVPTW,” respectively, on July 2, 2021.

In connection with the Closing, each Apex unit was separated into its components, which consisted of one share of Class A common stock and one-half of one warrant, and such units no longer exist. As of the Closing Date and following the completion of the Business Combination, the Company had 180,272,767 shares of the Common Stock issued and outstanding held of record by 98 holders, and 17,905,000 Warrants outstanding held of record by three holders.

 

10


Dividends

The Company has not paid dividends on its Common Stock to date and does not intend to pay cash dividends. The payment of cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition. The payment of any dividends will be within the discretion of the Company’s board of directors. It is the present intention of the Company’s board of directors to retain all earnings, if any, for use in the Company’s business operations and, accordingly, the board of directors does not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning recent sales of unregistered securities.

Description of Registrant’s Securities

Common Stock

A description of the Common Stock is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of Apex’s Securities—Combined Company Common Stock Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 188 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Warrants

A description of the Warrants is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Description of Apex’s Securities—Warrants” beginning on page 190 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

In connection with the Business Combination, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements provide such directors and executive officers with contractual rights to indemnification and expense advancement.

The foregoing summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the form of Indemnification Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the Company’s consolidated financial statements and supplementary data.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the changes in certifying accountant.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

11


Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The securities issued in connection with the Subscription Agreements have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

Item 3.03 Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

The information set forth in Item 5.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

On July 1, 2021, the Audit Committee of the Company’s board of directors approved the engagement of Crowe LLP (“Crowe”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2021. Crowe previously served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Legacy AvePoint prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“Withum”), Apex’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, was informed on July 1, 2021 that it would be replaced by Crowe as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm following the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2021.

Withum’s report of independent registered public accounting firm dated March 8, 2021 on the Apex consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from April 19, 2019 (Apex’s inception) through December 31, 2020 and the related notes to the financial statements did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainties, audit scope or accounting principles, except for an explanatory paragraph in such report regarding substantial doubt about Apex’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During the period from April 19, 2019 (Apex’s inception) through December 31, 2020 and the subsequent interim period through July 1, 2021, there were no “disagreements” (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K) with Withum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Withum, would have caused Withum to make reference thereto in its reports on Apex’s financial statements for such periods. During the period from April 9, 2019 (Apex’s inception) through December 31, 2020 and the subsequent interim period through July 1, 2021, there have been no “reportable events” (as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K), other than the material weakness in internal controls identified by management related to the accounting for warrants issued in connection with Apex’s initial public offering, which resulted in the restatement of Apex’s financial statements as set forth in Amendment No. 1 to Apex’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the SEC on May 13, 2021.

During the period from April 9, 2019 (Apex’s inception) through December 31, 2020 and the subsequent interim period through July 1, 2021, (i) the Company did not (a) consult with Crowe as to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and (b) receive a written report or oral advice that Crowe concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to such accounting, auditing, or financial reporting issue; and (ii) the Company did not consult Crowe on any matter that was either the subject of a “disagreement” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions) or a “reportable event” (as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

The Company has provided Withum with a copy of the disclosures made by the registrant in this Item 4.01 in response to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and requested that Withum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the registrant in this Item 4.01 in response to Item 304(a) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A letter from Withum is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.

 

12


Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

The information set forth in the section titled “Introductory Note” and in the section titled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

As a result of the completion of the Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, a change of control of Apex has occurred, and the stockholders of Apex as of immediately prior to the Closing held 24.7% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following the Closing.

Item 5.02 Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information set forth in the sections titled “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

At the Special Meeting, the Apex stockholders considered and approved the Equity Incentive Plan. The Equity Incentive Plan was previously approved, subject to stockholder approval, by Apex’s board of directors on May 27, 2021. The Equity Incentive Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing.

A summary of the terms of the Equity Incentive Plan is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 3—The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” beginning on page 103 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such summary and the foregoing description are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the Equity Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.12 and incorporated herein by reference.

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

At the Special Meeting, the Apex stockholders considered and approved the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The ESPP was previously approved, subject to stockholder approval, by Apex’s board of directors on May 27, 2021. The ESPP became effective immediately upon the Closing.

A summary of the terms of the ESPP is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 4—The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal” beginning on page 109 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such summary and the foregoing description are qualified in their entirety by reference to the text of the ESPP, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.15 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03 Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

At the Special Meeting, the Apex stockholders considered and approved, among other things, Proposal No. 2–The Charter Proposals (the “Charter Proposals”), which is described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page 98 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), which became effective upon filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on July 1, 2021, includes the amendments proposed by the Charter Proposals.

On July 1, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved and adopted the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Bylaws”), which became effective as of the Effective Time.

Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

13


The description of the Certificate of Incorporation and the general effect of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws upon the rights of holders of the Company’s capital stock are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Apex’s Securities” beginning on page 188 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.05 Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

In connection with the Business Combination, on July 1, 2021, the Company’s board of directors approved and adopted a new Code of Conduct applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company. A copy of the Code of Ethics can be found in the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.avepoint.com.

Item 5.06 Change in Shell Company Status.

As a result of the Business Combination, the Company ceased being a shell company. Reference is made to the disclosure in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Proposal No. 1—The Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 71 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and such disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. Further reference is made to the information contained in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 1, 2021, the Company issued a press release announcing the Closing. A copy of the press release is filed hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Current Report on Form 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statement and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AvePoint as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-20 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Legacy AvePoint for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-1 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Apex as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020 and as of and for the period from April 9, 2019 (Apex’s inception) to December 31, 2019 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-50 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of Apex as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus beginning on page F-70 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

14


(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information” beginning on page 53 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

 

         

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Schedule/

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing Date

2.1    Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated November  23, 2020, by and among Apex, Merger Subs and AvePoint.   

8-K

   001-39048    2.1    March 9, 2021
2.2    Amendment No. 1 to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated December  30, 2020, by and among Apex, Merger Subs and AvePoint.    8-K    001-39048    1.1    December 30, 2020
2.3    Amendment No. 2 to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated March  8, 2021, by and among Apex, Merger Subs and AvePoint.    8-K    001-39048    2.1    March 9, 2021
2.4    Amendment No. 3 to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated May  18, 2021, by and among Apex, Merger Subs and AvePoint.    10-Q    001-39048    10.3    May 19, 2021
3.1*    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AvePoint.            
3.2*    Amended and Restated Bylaws of AvePoint.            
4.1    Specimen Common Stock Certificate of AvePoint.    S-4    333-252712    4.4    May 20, 2021
10.1    Form of PIPE Subscription Agreement.    8-K    001-39048    10.7    November 23, 2020
10.2    Form of Amendment No. 1 to PIPE Subscription Agreements.    S-4    333-252712    10.15    May 20, 2021
10.3    Form of Lock-Up Agreement.    8-K    001-39048    10.3    November 23, 2020
10.4*    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement.            
10.5+    Form of Indemnification Agreement.    S-4    333-252712    10.29    May 20, 2021
10.6+*    AvePoint 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.7+*    Form of Stock Option Grant Package under AvePoint 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.8+*    Form of RSU Grant Package under 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.9+    AvePoint 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4    333-252712    10.15    February 4, 2021

 

15


         

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Schedule/

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing Date

10.10+    Form of Stock Option Grant Notice under AvePoint 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4    333-252712    10.16    February 4, 2021
10.11+    Form of Stock Option Agreement under 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4    333-252712    10.17    February 4, 2021
10.12+    AvePoint 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4    333-252712    10.18    February 4, 2021
10.13+*    Form of Stock Option Grant Package under AvePoint 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.14+*    Form of RSU Grant Package under AvePoint 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.15+    AvePoint 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.    S-4    333-252712    10.19    February 4, 2021
10.16    Lease, dated April 4, 2017, by and between AvePoint and MEPT Newport Tower LLC.    S-4    333-252712    10.20    February 4, 2021
10.17+    Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2021, by and between AvePoint and Xunkai Gong.    S-4    333-252712    10.21    February 4, 2021
10.18+    Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2021, by and between AvePoint and Tianyi Jiang.    S-4    333-252712    10.22    February 4, 2021
10.19+    Employment Agreement, dated January 1, 2021, by and between AvePoint and Brian Brown.    S-4    333-252712    10.23    February 4, 2021
10.20†^    Loan and Security Agreement, dated April 7, 2020, by and between HSBC Ventures USA Inc. and AvePoint.    S-4    333-252712    10.24    February 4, 2021
10.21†*    Amendment No. 1 to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated July 1, 2021, by and between AvePoint Operations Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), HSBC Ventures USA Inc. and AvePoint US, LLC.            
10.22*    Assignment and Assumption Agreement, dated July 1, 2021, by and between AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), HSBC Ventures USA Inc. and AvePoint US, LLC.            
10.23*    Pledge Agreement, dated July 1, 2021, by and among AvePoint, Inc. and HSBC Ventures USA Inc.            
10.24*    Limited Guaranty, dated July 1, 2021, by and among AvePoint, Inc. and HSBC Ventures USA Inc.            
16.1*    Letter from WithumSmith+Brown, PC            

 

16


         

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

  

Schedule/

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit

  

Filing Date

21.1*   

List of Subsidiaries

     
99.1*   

Press Release dated July 1, 2021

     

 

*

Filed herewith.

Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this Exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601. The Registrant agrees to furnish a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request

+

Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

^

Portions of this exhibit have been omitted as the Registrant have determined that the omitted information (i) is not material and (ii) is the type that the Registrant treats as private or confidential.

 

17


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.

 

    AVEPOINT, INC.
Dated: July 7, 2021    
    By:  

/s/ Brian Brown

      Brian Brown
      Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

 

18

Exhibit 3.1

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORPORATION

July 1, 2021

Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented, the “DGCL”), does hereby certify that:

ONE: The original Certificate of Incorporation of Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on April 5, 2019 and subsequently amended and restated with the filing of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended and Restated Certificate”) on September 16, 2019.

TWO: The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is incorporated herein by reference, and restates, integrates and further amends the provisions of the Amended and Restated Certificate.

THREE: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of Directors of this corporation.

FOUR: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL.

FIVE: This Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall become effective on the date of filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation has caused this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by a duly authorized officer on July 1, 2021.

 

APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Jeff Epstein

  Jeff Epstein
  Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary


EXHIBIT A

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORPORATION

I.

The name of this company is AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”).

II.

The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808 and the name of the registered agent of the Company in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

III.

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”).

IV.

A. Effective as of, and contingent upon, the effectiveness of this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Effective Time”), and without any further action on the part of the Company or any stockholder, each authorized and outstanding share of Class A Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) and Class B Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”) issued immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically converted and reclassified into one share of fully-paid, non-assessable Common Stock (as defined below) (the “Conversion”). Each stock certificate representing shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which such shares shall have been converted and reclassified pursuant to the Conversion; provided, however, that each holder of any stock certificate that represented shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, as applicable, immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender of such certificate(s), one or more certificates evidencing and representing the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares represented by such certificate(s) shall have been reclassified pursuant to the Conversion. After giving effect to the Conversion, the total number of shares of stock that the Company shall have authority to issue is set forth below.

The Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock,” “and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 1,020,000,000 shares, 1,000,000,000 shares of which shall be Common Stock (the “Common Stock”), and 20,000,000 shares of which shall be Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”). The Preferred Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share and the Common Stock shall have a par value of $0.0001 per share.

 

1


B. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series, the shares of each series to have such designations and powers, preferences, privileges and rights, and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors as hereafter prescribed (a “Preferred Stock Designation”). Subject to any limitation prescribed by law and the rights of any series of the Preferred Stock then outstanding, if any, authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors to authorize the issuance of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and, with respect to each series of Preferred Stock, to fix the number of shares and state by the Preferred Stock Designation, the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase (but not above the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series.

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

D. Except as provided above, the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative participating, optional, or other rights, and qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of the Common Stock are as follows:

1. Rights Relating to Dividends, Subdivisions and Combinations. Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes and series of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets of the Company legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors. Any dividends paid to the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable class of Common Stock treated adversely, voting separately as a class.

2. Voting Rights.

(a) Except as otherwise required by law or this Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Company, holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the stockholders.

(b) Except as otherwise required by law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote.

(c) Except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Common Stock, as such, shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation or applicable law.

 

2


3. Liquidation Rights.

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, upon the completion of the distributions required with respect to each series of Preferred Stock that may then be outstanding, the remaining assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed on an equal priority, pro rata basis to the holders of Common Stock, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, compensation pursuant to any employment, consulting, severance or other compensatory arrangement to be paid to or received by a person who is also a holder of Common Stock does not constitute consideration or a “distribution to stockholders” in respect of the Common Stock.

V.

A. The liability of the directors of the Company for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director shall be eliminated to the fullest extent authorized under applicable law, unless they violated their duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, acted in bad faith, knowingly or intentionally violated the law, authorized unlawful payments of dividends, unlawful stock purchases or unlawful redemptions, or derived improper personal benefit from their actions as directors. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Company hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and other agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law.

C. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article V to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended. Any repeal or modification of this Article V shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Article V in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act giving rise to liability.

VI.

A. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, (a) the Court of Chancery (the “Chancery Court”) of the State of Delaware (or, in the event that the Chancery Court does not have jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware or other state courts of the State of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or stockholder of the Company to the Company or to the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding arising

 

3


pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the bylaws of the Company or this Certificate of Incorporation (as either may be amended from time to time) or (iv) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim against the Company governed by the internal affairs doctrine; and (b) subject to the preceding provisions of this Article VI, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence is filed in a court other than the courts in the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (x) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the provisions of clause (a) of the immediately preceding sentence and (y) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

B. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Article VI. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Article VI shall not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts of the United States have exclusive jurisdiction.

C. If any provision or provisions of this Article VI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever, (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VI (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Article VI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

VII.

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

A. Board of Directors.

1. Generally. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The authorized number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed by the Board of Directors in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

2. Election.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors as specified in any Preferred Stock Designation, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification of the Board of Directors, the initial term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification of the Board of Directors, the initial term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and

 

4


Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification of the Board of Directors, the initial term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.

(b) At any time that applicable law prohibits a classified board as described in Section A.2.(a) of this Article VII, all directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting. The directors of the Company need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

(c) No stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such stockholder is entitled unless required by applicable law at the time of such election. During such time or times that applicable law requires cumulative voting, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (i) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

3. Removal of Directors. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, removal shall be as provided in Section 141(k) of the DGCL.

4. Vacancies. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by applicable law, be filled only by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.

B. Stockholder Actions. No action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

5


C. Bylaws. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws. The stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

VIII.

A. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the DGCL, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article VIII, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Company required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock Designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, VII and VIII.

 

6

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED

BYLAWS

OF

AVEPOINT, INC.

As adopted on July 1, 2021

 


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

AVEPOINT, INC.

(a Delaware corporation)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

Article I OFFICES

     1  

1.1

  Registered Office      1  

1.2

  Offices      1  

Article II MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     1  

2.1

  Location      1  

2.2

  Timing      1  

2.3

  Notice of Meeting      1  

2.4

  Stockholders’ Records      1  

2.5

  Special Meetings      2  

2.6

  Notice of Meeting      2  

2.7

  Business Transacted at Special Meeting      2  

2.8

  Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means      2  

2.9

  Voting Thresholds      3  

2.10

  Number of Votes Per Share      3  

2.11

  Action by Written Consent of Stockholders; Electronic Consent; Notice of Action      3  

Article III DIRECTORS

     3  

3.1

  Authorized Directors      4  

3.2

  Vacancies      4  

3.3

  Board Authority      5  

3.4

  Location of Meetings      5  

3.5

  First Meeting      5  

3.6

  Regular Meetings      5  

3.7

  Special Meetings      5  

3.8

  Quorum      5  

3.9

  Action Without a Meeting      6  

3.10

  Telephonic Meetings      6  

3.11

  Committees      6  

3.12

  Minutes of Meetings      6  

3.13

  Compensation of Directors      6  

3.14

  Removal of Directors      6  


Article IV NOTICES

     7  

4.1

  Notice      7  

4.2

  Waiver of Notice      7  

4.3

  Electronic Notice      7  

Article V OFFICERS

     8  

5.1

  Required and Permitted Officers      8  

5.2

  Appointment of Required Officers      8  

5.3

  Appointment of Permitted Officers      8  

5.4

  Officer Compensation      8  

5.5

  Term of Office; Vacancies      8  

5.6

  Chairman Presides      8  

5.7

  Absence of Chairman      8  

5.8

  Powers of President      8  

5.9

  President’s Signature Authority      9  

5.10

  Absence of President      9  

5.11

  Duties of Secretary      9  

5.12

  Duties of Assistant Secretary      9  

5.13

  Duties of Treasurer      9  

5.14

  Disbursements and Financial Reports      10  

5.15

  Treasurer’s Bond      10  

5.16

  Duties of Assistant Treasurer      10  

Article VI CERTIFICATE OF STOCK

     10  

6.1

  Stock Certificates      10  

6.2

  Facsimile Signatures      11  

6.3

  Lost Certificates      11  

6.4

  Transfer of Stock      11  

6.5

  Fixing a Record Date      11  

6.6

  Registered Stockholders      11  

Article VII GENERAL PROVISIONS

     12  

7.1

  Dividends      12  

7.2

  Reserve for Dividends      12  

7.3

  Checks      12  

7.4

  Fiscal Year      12  

7.5

  Corporate Seal      12  

7.6

  Indemnification      12  

7.7

  Conflicts with Certificate of Incorporation      13  

Article VIII AMENDMENTS

     13  

Article IX LOANS TO OFFICERS

     14  

Article X RECORDS AND REPORTS

     14  


AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

AVEPOINT, INC.

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

1.1 Registered Office. The registered office shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware.

1.2 Offices. The corporation may also have offices at such other places both within and without the State of Delaware as the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

2.1 Location. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors shall be held in the City of Menlo Park, State of California, at such place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board, or at such other place either within or without the State of Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting; provided that the Board may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211 of the Delaware General Corporations Law (the “DGCL”). Meetings of stockholders for any other purpose may be held at such time and place, if any, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice.

2.2 Timing. Annual meetings of stockholders, commencing with the year 2020, shall be held at such date and time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which they shall elect by a plurality vote a Board, and transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

2.3 Notice of Meeting. Written notice of any stockholder meeting stating the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting.

2.4 Stockholders Records. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address (but not the electronic address or other electronic contact information) of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network; provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the


notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

2.5 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the certificate of incorporation, may be called by the president and shall be called by the president or secretary at the request in writing of a majority of the Board, or at the request in writing of stockholders owning at least 50% in amount of the entire capital stock of the corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.

2.6 Notice of Meeting. Written notice of a special meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be given not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. The means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting shall also be provided in the notice.

2.7 Business Transacted at Special Meeting. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice.

2.8 Quorum; Meeting Adjournment; Presence by Remote Means.

(a) Quorum; Meeting Adjournment. The holders of a majority of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If, however, such quorum shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

(b) Presence by Remote Means. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders and proxyholders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:

 

2


(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

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

2.9 Voting Thresholds. When a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote of the holders of a majority of the stock having voting power present in person or represented by proxy shall decide any question brought before such meeting, unless the question is one upon which by express provision of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation, a different vote is required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

2.10 Number of Votes Per Share. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, each stockholder shall at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote by such stockholder or by proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

2.11 Action by Written Consent of Stockholders; Electronic Consent; Notice of Action.

(a) Action by Written Consent of Stockholders. Unless otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation, any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken, is signed in a manner permitted by law by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted. Written stockholder consents shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent in the manner permitted by law and shall be delivered to the corporation as provided in Section 2.11(b). No written consent shall be effective to take the action set forth therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation in the manner provided above, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take the action set forth therein are delivered to the corporation in the manner provided above.

 

3


(b) Electronic Consent. A telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, or a person or persons authorized to act for a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this section; provided that any such telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (i) that the telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder or proxyholder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission. The date on which such telegram, cablegram or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by telegram, cablegram or other electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the corporation or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded if, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the Board.

(c) Notice of Action. Prompt notice of any action taken pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall be provided to the stockholders in accordance with Section 228(e) of the DGCL.

ARTICLE III

DIRECTORS

3.1 Authorized Directors. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall consist of up to three directors and shall be determined by resolution of the Board or by the stockholders at the annual meeting of the stockholders, except as provided in Section 3.2, and each director elected shall hold office until his successor is elected and qualified. Directors need not be stockholders.

3.2 Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by statute. If, at the time of filling any vacancy or any newly created directorship, the directors then in office shall constitute less than a majority of the whole Board (as constituted immediately prior to any such increase), the Court of Chancery may, upon application of any stockholder or stockholders holding at least 10% of the total number of the shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for such directors, summarily order an election to be held to fill any such vacancies or newly created directorships, or to replace the directors chosen by the directors then in office.

 

4


3.3 Board Authority. The business of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the certificate of incorporation or by these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done by the stockholders.

3.4 Location of Meetings. The Board may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Delaware.

3.5 First Meeting. The first meeting of each newly elected Board shall be held at such time and place as shall be fixed by the vote of the stockholders at the annual meeting and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order to legally constitute the meeting; provided that a quorum shall be present. In the event of the failure of the stockholders to fix the time or place of such first meeting of the newly elected Board, or in the event such meeting is not held at the time and place so fixed by the stockholders, the meeting may be held at such time and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for special meetings of the Board, or as shall be specified in a written waiver signed by all of the directors.

3.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.

3.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the president upon notice to each director; special meetings shall be called by the president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of two directors unless the Board consists of only one director, in which case special meetings shall be called by the president or secretary in like manner and on like notice on the written request of the sole director. Notice of any special meeting shall be given to each director at his business or residence in writing, or by telegram, facsimile transmission, telephone communication or electronic transmission; provided that, with respect to electronic transmission, the director has consented to receive the form of transmission at the address to which it is directed. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when deposited in the United States mails so addressed, with postage thereon prepaid, at least five days before such meeting. If by telegram, such notice shall be deemed adequately delivered when the telegram is delivered to the telegraph company at least 24 hours before such meeting. If by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission, such notice shall be transmitted at least 24 hours before such meeting. If by telephone, the notice shall be given at least 12 hours prior to the time set for the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board needs be specified in the notice of such meeting, except for amendments to these Bylaws as provided under Section 8.1. A meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present (except as otherwise provided by law) or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in writing, either before or after such meeting.

3.8 Quorum. At all meetings of the Board, a majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and any act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be an act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute or by the certificate of incorporation. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board, the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.

 

5


3.9 Action Without a Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing, writings, electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

3.10 Telephonic Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board or any committee designated by the Board may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee, by means of conference telephone or other means of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.11 Committees. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee.

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

Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it, but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any provision of these Bylaws.

3.12 Minutes of Meetings. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required.

3.13 Compensation of Directors. Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or a stated salary as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending committee meetings.

3.14 Removal of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws, any director or the entire Board may be removed, with or without cause, by the holders of a majority of shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

 

6


ARTICLE IV

NOTICES

4.1 Notice. Unless otherwise provided in these Bylaws, whenever, under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any director or stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such notice may be given in writing, by mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at his address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the United States mail. Notice to directors may also be given by telegram.

4.2 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under the provisions of the statutes or of the certificate of incorporation or of these Bylaws, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto.

4.3 Electronic Notice.

(a) Electronic Transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders and directors, any notice to stockholders or directors given by the corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder or director to whom the notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder or director by written notice to the corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (i) the corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the corporation in accordance with such consent and (ii) such inability becomes known to the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation or to the transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided that the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.

(b) Effective Date of Notice. Notice given pursuant to Section 4.3(a) shall be deemed given: (i) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a number at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice, (ii) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder or director has consented to receive notice, (iii) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder or director of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice and (iv) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder or director. An affidavit of the secretary or an assistant secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the corporation that the notice has been given by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

 

7


(c) Form of Electronic Transmission. For purposes of these Bylaws, “electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved, and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

5.1 Required and Permitted Officers. The officers of the corporation shall be chosen by the Board and shall be a president, a treasurer and a secretary. The Board may elect from among its members a Chairman of the Board and a Vice-Chairman of the Board. The Board may also choose one or more vice-presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the certificate of incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide.

5.2 Appointment of Required Officers. The Board at its first meeting after each annual meeting of stockholders shall choose a president, a treasurer, and a secretary and may choose vice-presidents.

5.3 Appointment of Permitted Officers. The Board may appoint such other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board.

5.4 Officer Compensation. The salaries of all officers and agents of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board.

5.5 Term of Office; Vacancies. The officers of the corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualify. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board may be removed at any time by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the corporation shall be filled by the Board.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

5.6 Chairman Presides. The Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. He or she shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to him by the Board and as may be provided by law.

5.7 Absence of Chairman. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any, shall preside at all meetings of the Board and of the stockholders at which he or she shall be present. He or she shall have and may exercise such powers as are, from time to time, assigned to him by the Board and as may be provided by law.

THE PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENTS

5.8 Powers of President. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation; in the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Board he or she shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board; he or she shall have general and active management of the business of the corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect.

 

8


5.9 Presidents Signature Authority. The president shall execute bonds, mortgages and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise signed and executed and except where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board to some other officer or agent of the corporation.

5.10 Absence of President. In the absence of the president or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, the vice-president, if any, (or in the event there be more than one vice-president, the vice-presidents in the order designated by the directors, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of their election) shall perform the duties of the president, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the president. The vice-presidents shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

THE SECRETARY AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY

5.11 Duties of Secretary. The secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings of the meetings of the corporation and of the Board in a book to be kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees when required. He or she shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or president, under whose supervision he or she shall be. He or she shall have custody of the corporate seal of the corporation and he or she, or an assistant secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by the signature of such assistant secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.

5.12 Duties of Assistant Secretary. The assistant secretary, or if there be more than one, the assistant secretaries in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the secretary or in the event of his inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

THE TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURERS

5.13 Duties of Treasurer. The treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board.

 

9


5.14 Disbursements and Financial Reports. He or she shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the president and the Board, at its regular meetings or when the Board so requires, an account of all his transactions as treasurer and of the financial condition of the corporation.

5.15 Treasurers Bond. If required by the Board, the treasurer shall give the corporation a bond (which shall be renewed every six years) in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to the Board for the faithful performance of the duties of his office and for the restoration to the corporation, in case of his death, resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in his possession or under his control belonging to the corporation.

5.16 Duties of Assistant Treasurer. The assistant treasurer, or if there shall be more than one, the assistant treasurers in the order determined by the Board (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their election) shall, in the absence of the treasurer or in the event of the treasurer’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board may from time to time prescribe.

ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATE OF STOCK

6.1 Stock Certificates. Every holder of stock in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate, signed by or in the name of the corporation by, the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Board, or the president or a vice-president and the treasurer or an assistant treasurer, or the secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation; provided that the Board may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares.

Certificates may be issued for partly paid shares and in such case upon the face or back of the certificates issued to represent any such partly paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor, and the amount paid thereon shall be specified.

If the corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualification, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the corporation shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

10


6.2 Facsimile Signatures. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In the event that any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, the certificate may be issued by the corporation with the same effect as if such officer, transfer agent or registrar were still acting as such at the date of issue.

6.3 Lost Certificates. The Board may direct a new certificate or certificates to be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the Board may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as it shall require and/or to give the corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

6.4 Transfer of Stock. Upon surrender to the corporation or the transfer agent of the corporation of a certificate for shares duly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue a new certificate to the person entitled thereto, cancel the old certificate and record the transaction upon its books.

6.5 Fixing a Record Date. In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or to express consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date that shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting, nor more than 60 days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

6.6 Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, to vote as such owner, to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

 

11


ARTICLE VII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

7.1 Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, if any, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation, may be declared by the Board at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

7.2 Reserve for Dividends. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from time to time, in their sole discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purposes as the directors think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

7.3 Checks. All checks or demands for money and notes of the corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board may from time to time designate.

7.4 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board.

7.5 Corporate Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal having inscribed thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or otherwise reproduced.

7.6 Indemnification. The corporation shall, to the fullest extent authorized under the laws of the State of Delaware, as those laws may be amended and supplemented from time to time, indemnify any director made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of being a director of the corporation or a predecessor corporation or a director or officer of another corporation, if such person served in such position at the request of the corporation; provided, that the corporation shall indemnify any such director or officer in connection with a proceeding initiated by such director or officer only if such proceeding was authorized by the Board of the corporation. The indemnification provided for in this Section 7.6 shall: (i) not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under these Bylaws, agreement or vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacities and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, (ii) continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director and (iii) inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of a person who has ceased to be a director. The corporation’s obligation to provide indemnification under this Section 7.6 shall be offset to the extent of any other source of indemnification or any otherwise applicable insurance coverage under a policy maintained by the corporation or any other person.

Expenses incurred by a director of the corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director of the corporation (or was serving at the corporation’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the

 

12


corporation as authorized by relevant sections of the DGCL. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporation shall not be required to advance such expenses to an agent who is a party to an action, suit or proceeding brought by the corporation and approved by a majority of the Board of the corporation that alleges willful misappropriation of corporate assets by such agent, disclosure of confidential information in violation of such agent’s fiduciary or contractual obligations to the corporation or any other willful and deliberate breach in bad faith of such agent’s duty to the corporation or its stockholders.

The foregoing provisions of this Section 7.6 shall be deemed to be a contract between the corporation and each director who serves in such capacity at any time while this bylaw is in effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts.

The Board in its sole discretion shall have power on behalf of the corporation to indemnify any person, other than a director, made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she, his testator or intestate, is or was an officer or employee of the corporation.

To assure indemnification under this Section 7.6 of all directors, officers and employees who are determined by the corporation or otherwise to be or to have been “fiduciaries” of any employee benefit plan of the corporation that may exist from time to time, Section 145 of the DGCL shall, for the purposes of this Section 7.6, be interpreted as follows: an “other enterprise” shall be deemed to include such an employee benefit plan, including any plan of the corporation that is governed by the Act of Congress entitled “Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,” as amended from time to time; the corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person to serve the corporation for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL, as administrator of an employee benefit plan where the performance by such person of his duties to the corporation also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to such Act of Congress shall be deemed “fines.”

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION GOVERNS

7.7 Conflicts with Certificate of Incorporation. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the corporation’s certificate of incorporation and these Bylaws, the provisions of the certificate of incorporation shall govern.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENTS

8.1 These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed, or new bylaws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board, when such power is conferred upon the Board by the certificate of incorporation at any regular meeting of the stockholders or of the Board or at any special meeting of the stockholders or of the Board if notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new bylaws be contained in the notice of such special meeting. If the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the Board by the certificate of incorporation, it shall not divest or limit the power of the stockholders to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws.

 

13


ARTICLE IX

LOANS TO OFFICERS

9.1 The corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured or secured in such manner as the Board shall approve, including a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

ARTICLE X

RECORDS AND REPORTS

10.1 The application and requirements of Section 1501 of the California General Corporation Law are hereby expressly waived to the fullest extent permitted thereunder.

 

14


CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

OF

AVEPOINT, INC. (a Delaware Corporation)

The undersigned, Kimberly Kit, hereby certifies that she is the duly elected and acting Secretary of AvePoint, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and that the Amended and Restated Bylaws attached hereto constitute the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company as duly adopted by the Directors on July 1, 2021.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed her name this 1st day of July, 2021.

 

/s/ Kimberly Kit

Kimberly Kit

Secretary

CERTIFICATION OF BYLAWS OF AVEPOINT, INC.

 

15

Exhibit 10.4

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of July 1, 2021, is made and entered into by and among AvePoint Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a Apex Technology Acquisition Corp.) (the “Company”), Apex Technology Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor” and, together with the Sponsor, the “Original Holders”), certain former stockholders of AvePoint Operations, Inc., a Delaware corporation (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.) (“AvePoint”) identified on the signature pages hereto (such stockholders, the “AvePoint Holders”) and each of the undersigned individuals and entities (together with the Sponsor, Cantor, and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Agreement, a “Holder” and collectively the “Holders”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company and the Original Holders are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2019 (the “Original RRA”);

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 23, 2020 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, AvePoint, Athena Technology Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, certain AvePoint Holders will receive shares of Common Stock of the Company;

WHEREAS, the Company, AvePoint and the Sponsor entered into that certain Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2020 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Support Agreement”), pursuant to which a grand total of 1,750,000 of the Founder Shares (as defined below) became subject to certain vesting and forfeiture obligations (such shares, the “Sponsor Earn-Out Shares”);

WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor, Jeff Epstein and Brad Koenig have entered into that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of November 23, 2020, related to the terms of the Insider Letter (the “Supplemental Letter Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Company and the Holders desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Original RRA may be amended and restated upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) at the time in question (which majority interest must include Cantor if such amendment or modification affects in any way the rights of Cantor hereunder).

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

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

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

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a


material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

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

AvePoint Holders Lock-Up Period” shall mean the lock-up period as listed in that certain lock-up agreement entered into by and between each AvePoint Holder and the Company on the date hereof (each such agreement, the “Lock-Up Agreement”).

Block Trade” shall mean an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction, but excluding a variable price reoffer.

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

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

Cantor Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 16, 2019, pursuant to which Cantor purchased 152,500 units, each unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and one half of one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, in a private placement transaction.

Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” shall mean shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

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

Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.3.

Effective Time” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

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

Form S-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Founder Shares” shall mean the 8,750,000 shares of Common Stock, which were issued upon the conversion of the Company’s Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share originally purchased by the Sponsor pursuant to that certain Securities Subscription Agreement dated as of June 25, 2019 by and between the Sponsor and the Company (including any shares of capital stock of the Company issued or issuable upon conversion thereof).

Founder Shares Lock-Up Period” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of (A) one year after the Effective Time or (B) subsequent to the Closing, (x) if the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Effective Time or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. For clarity, Founder Shares Lock-Up Period with respect to shares held by each of Jeff Epstein and Brad Koenig shall be the “Insider Lock-Up Period” as defined in the Supplemental Letter Agreement.


Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2.

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

Insider Letter” shall mean that certain letter agreement, dated as of September 16, 2019, by and among the Company, the Sponsor and each of the Company’s officers, directors and director nominees.

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

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

Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

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

Original Holder” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Original RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Permitted Transferees” shall mean any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer the relevant Registrable Securities (i) under the Support Agreement, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the AvePoint Holders Lock-Up Period, Founder Shares Lock-Up Period or the Private Placement Lock-Up Period, as the case may be, under the Lock-Up Agreements, Insider Letter or the Cantor Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, and any other applicable agreement between such Holder and the Company and to any transferee thereafter.

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

Private Placement Lock-Up Period” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Units that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Units or their Permitted Transferees (including units into which the Private Placement Units are convertible), and any of the securities underlying such Private Placement Unit (including securities into which such underlying securities are convertible), including the Private Placement Shares, the Private Placement Warrants and the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Units or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the Closing Date.

Private Placement Shares” shall mean the shares of Common Stock comprising the Private Placement Units (including shares into which the Common Stock is convertible).

Private Placement Units” shall mean the 810,000 units (including units into which the Private Placement Units are convertible), each unit consisting of one share of Common Stock and one half of one warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock, purchased by (i) the Sponsor pursuant to that certain Unit Subscription Agreement dated as of September 16, 2019 by and between the Sponsor and the Company and (ii) Cantor pursuant to the Cantor Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement.

Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the warrants comprising the Private Placement Units (including warrants into which the Private Placement Warrants are convertible).

“Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

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


Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding Founder Shares (including any units into which such Founder Shares are convertible), (b) any outstanding share of Common Stock or any other equity security (including warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (including any securities distributable pursuant to the Merger Agreement), (c) any outstanding Private Placement Units (including any units into which such Private Placement Units are convertible), and (d) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a), (b) and (c) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission) (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations) and new certificates or book entry positions for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company; or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in a Shelf Registration (including any Subsequent Shelf Registration), an Underwritten Offering or a Shelf Takedown, as the case may be.

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

Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

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

Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1 Shelf, the Form S-3 Shelf or any Subsequent Shelf Registration, as the case may be.


Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.

Sixth Street Holders” shall mean Avatar Investment Opportunities, LLC, Avatar Investment Solutions 1, LLC, Avatar Investment Solutions (A), LLC and any of their affiliates.

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

Sponsor Earn-Out Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Subsequent Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2.

Supplemental Letter Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Support Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

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

Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS

2.1 Shelf Registration.

2.1.1 Filing. The Company shall file within fifteen (15) business days of the Closing Date, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”) or, if the Company is ineligible to use a Form S-3 Shelf, a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf”), in each case, covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities (determined as of two business days prior to such filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after the initial filing thereof, but in no event later than sixty (60) days following the filing deadline (the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to one hundred and twenty (120) days after the filing deadline if the Registration Statement is reviewed by, and receives comments from, the SEC. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration) to a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3.

2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including obtaining the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its reasonable best efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner


reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective, available for use and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be on another appropriate form.

2.1.3 Additional Registerable Securities. In the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon request of the (i) Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then outstanding Registrable Securities held by the AvePoint Holders, (ii) Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then outstanding Registrable Securities held by the Original Holders or (iii) Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then outstanding Registrable Securities held by the Sixth Street Holders (any such Holders, the “Demanding Holders”), shall promptly use its reasonable best efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, the Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or a Subsequent Shelf Registration and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the AvePoint Holders, the Original Holders and the Sixth Street Holders.

2.1.4 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. At any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, the Demanding Holders may request to sell all or any portion of their Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf, including a Block Trade (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holders with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate $10 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. The Demanding Holders shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the Company’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Original Holders, collectively, may demand not more than two (2) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns, the AvePoint Holders, collectively, may demand not more than two (2) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns and the Sixth Street Holders, collectively, may demand not more than two (2) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns, pursuant to this Section 2.1.4. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering. The Company shall enter into an underwriting agreement in a form as is customary in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Company with the managing Underwriter or Underwriters and shall take all such other reasonable actions as are requested by the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities. In connection with any Underwritten Shelf Offering contemplated by this Section 2.1.4, the underwriting agreement into which each Holder and the Company shall enter shall contain such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations of the Company and the selling stockholders as are customary in underwritten offerings of securities.

2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggy back rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by


any other stockholders of the Company, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to offer in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4 hereof; provided that the Requesting Holders may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Sponsor or any of its respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.6.

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If the Company or any Holder who has the right to demand a Shelf Takedown pursuant to the terms of this Agreement proposes to conduct a Shelf Takedown of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of, equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof), other than a Registration Statement (or any Shelf Takedown with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan or (v) on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such Shelf Takedown such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Shelf Takedown, a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included in such Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Shelf Takedown and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holder’s agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering.


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

(a) If the Registration or Shelf Takedown is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or Shelf Takedown (A) first, the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Common Stock, if any, as to which Registration or a Shelf Takedown has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of the Company, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;

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

(c) If the Registration or Shelf Takedown is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or Shelf Takedown securities in accordance with Section 2.1.5.

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include the Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.


2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to Section 2.1.6, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4 hereof.

2.3 Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (A) during the period starting with the date forty-five (45) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Offering and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration or Underwritten Offering would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or such Underwritten Offering at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed or such Underwritten Offering to be conducted, as the case may be, in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or the Underwritten Offering, as the case may be. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing or Underwritten Offering for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.

2.4 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company, if requested by the managing Underwriters, each Holder that is an executive officer, director or Holder in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock participating in such Underwritten Offering agrees that it shall not transfer any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement) during the ninety (90)-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriters) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriters otherwise agree by written consent. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).

2.5. Block Trades. Notwithstanding any other provision of Article II, but subject to Sections 2.3 and 3.4, if the Holders desire to effect a Block Trade, the Holders shall provide written notice to the Company at least five (5) business days prior to the date such Block Trade will commence. As promptly as reasonably practicable, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to facilitate such Block Trade. The Holders shall use reasonable best efforts to work with the Company and the Underwriter(s) (including by disclosing the maximum number of Registrable Securities proposed to be the subject of such Block Trade) in order to facilitate preparation of the Registration Statement, Prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade and any related due diligence and comfort procedures.

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

3.1 General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold;


3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


3.1.10 permit a representative of the Sponsor, Cantor, the Sixth Street Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by any such party, if any, to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representatives, Cantor, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Cantor or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, the Company may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments the Company shall include unless contrary to applicable law;

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

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

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

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

3.1.15 with respect to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the Holders, in connection with such Registration.

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that subject to this Section 3.2, the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders; provided that the Company’s obligations under this Agreement to reimburse the Holders shall not exceed $75,000 per Registration.

3.3 Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the Registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. The exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the Registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.


3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement, provided, however, that the Company may not delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement on more than two occasions or for more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or more than ninety (90) total calendar days in each case during any twelve-month period. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) System shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of the Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

3.6 Limitations on Registration Rights. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) Cantor may not exercise its rights under Sections 2.1.4 and 2.2 hereunder after five (5) and seven (7) years after the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Company’s initial public offering, respectively, and (ii) Cantor may not exercise its rights under Section 2.1.4 more than one time.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

4.1 Indemnification.

4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and agents and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained or incorporated by reference in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.


4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.

4.1.3 Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.

4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.


ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: 533 Airport Blvd, Suite 400, Burlingame, CA 94010, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or contact information as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

5.2.2 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

5.2.3 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.

5.2.4 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (I) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG DELAWARE RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION AND (II) IN RESPECT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED AGREEMENT, CERTIFICATE OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND BY THIS AGREEMENT THE PARTIES WAIVE, AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, ANY DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION FOR THE INTERPRETATION OR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY RELATED AGREEMENT, CERTIFICATE OR OTHER DOCUMENT DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH, THAT THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT THERETO OR THAT SUCH ACTION MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN SUCH COURTS OR THAT THIS AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE ENFORCED IN OR BY


SUCH COURTS OR THAT THEIR PROPERTY IS EXEMPT OR IMMUNE FROM EXECUTION, THAT THE ACTION IS BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, OR THAT THE VENUE OF THE ACTION IS IMPROPER (PROVIDED, THAT IF JURISDICTION IS NOT THEN AVAILABLE IN THE DELAWARE CHANCERY COURT, THEN ANY SUCH ACTION MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE OR ANY OTHER DELAWARE STATE COURT).

5.5 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of (a) the Company, (b) the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities held by the Original Holders or their Permitted Transferees at the time in question, (c) the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities held by the AvePoint Holders or their Permitted Transferees at the time in question and (d) the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities held by the Sixth Street Holders or their Permitted Transferees at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

5.6 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities and the PIPE Investors (as defined in the Merger Agreement), has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions, other than the Subscription Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) with the PIPE Investors, and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail. The Company will not grant any person any registration rights with respect to the capital stock of the Company that are prior in right or in conflict or inconsistent with the rights of the Holders as set forth in Article II in any material respect (it being understood that this shall not preclude the grant of additional demand and piggyback registration rights in and of themselves so long as such rights are not prior in right to the rights under this Agreement).

5.7 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) with respect to any Holder, on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities, provided that the provisions of Article IV shall survive any termination with respect to such Holder and (ii) seven (7) years after the closing of the Mergers (as defined in the Merger Agreement).

5.8 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.

[Signature Page Follows]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
AVEPOINT, INC.
By:  

/s/ Brian Brown

  Name: Brian Brown
  Title: COO, General Counsel and Secretary

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Xunkai Gong

Xunkai Gong

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Tianyi Jiang

Tianyi Jiang

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Stephen CuUnjieng

Stephen CuUnjieng

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Jeffrey Teper

Jeffrey Teper

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Andy Yong

Andy Yong

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

AVATAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Joshua Peck

  Name:   Joshua Peck
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

AVATAR INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS 1, LLC
By:  

/s/ Joshua Peck

  Name:   Joshua Peck
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

AVATAR INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS (A), LLC
By:  

/s/ Joshua Peck

  Name:   Joshua Peck
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Zhijian Lu

Zhijian Lu

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Capella 2021 GRAT
By:  

/s/ Tianyi Jiang

  Tianyi Jiang
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ James Zhu

James Zhu

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Brian Brown

Brian Brown

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Zenaba LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian Brown

  Brian Brown
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Red Kite LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

  Brian Michael Brown
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Theta LLC
By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

  James Zhijian Zhu
Title:   Manager
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

  Sharron Shanmiao Ma
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

River Valley Ltd
By:  

/s/ Serene Sue Wah Chew

  Serene Sue Wah Chew
Title:   Director

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Bridge Water Trust
By:  

/s/ Zhijian Lu

  Zhijian Lu
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Jeffrey Scott Bardsley

  Jeffrey Scott Bardsley
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Purple Cove Trust
By:  

/s/ Xunzhuo Gong

  Xunzhuo Gong
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Danqun Ke

  Danqun Ke
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Purple Harbor Trust
By:  

/s/ Xunkai Gong

  Xunkai Gong
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Kirby Derek Gong

  Kirby Derek Gong
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Shanmiao 2020 Trust
By:  

/s/ James Zhu

  James Zhu
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Brian Zhu

  Brian Zhu
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Zhijian 2020 Trust
By:  

/s/ Alec Zhu

  Alec Zhu
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

  Sharron Shanmiao Ma
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Giocoso Holdings LLC
By:  

/s/ Xunkai Gong

  Xunkai Gong
Title:   Manager
By:  

/s/ Danqun Ke

  Danqun Ke
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Vivace Holdings LLC
By:  

/s/ Xunkai Gong

  Xunkai Gong
Title:   Manager
By:  

/s/ Danqun Ke

  Danqun Ke
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Cadenza Holdings LLC
By:  

/s/ Xunkai Gong

  Xunkai Gong
Title:   Manager
By:  

/s/ Danqun Ke

  Danqun Ke
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

G Sonata Trust
By:  

/s/ Xunkai Gong

  Xunkai Gong
Title:   Trustee
By:  

/s/ Danqun Ke

  Danqun Ke
Title:   Trustee

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Omega1 Trust

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

 

James Zhijian Zhu

Title:  

Trustee

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

By:  

/s/ Thomas Morf

  Name:  

Thomas Morf

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

KEM Lily LLC

By:  

/s/ Zhijian Lu

 

Zhijian Lu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Yan Ji

  Yan Ji
Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Fire Stone Family Trust

By:  

/s/ Zhijian Lu

 

Zhijian Lu

Title:  

Trustee

 
By:  

/s/ Yan Ji

  Yan Ji
Title:  

Trustee

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

KEM Phoenix LLC

By:  

/s/ Zhijian Lu

 

Zhijian Lu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Yan Ji

  Yan Ji
Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

KEM Rose LLC

By:  

/s/ Zhijian Lu

 

Zhijian Lu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Yan Ji

  Yan Ji
Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

The Cherry Tree Trust

By:  

/s/ Yan Ji

 

Yan Ji

Title:  

Trustee

 
By:  

/s/ Wen Ji Bardsley

 

Wen Ji Bardsley

Title:  

Trustee

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ John Ho

John Ho

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Beta LLC

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

 

James Zhijian Zhu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

 

Sharron Shanmiao Ma

Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Delta LLC

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

 

James Zhijian Zhu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

 

Sharron Shanmiao Ma

Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Eta LLC

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

 

James Zhijian Zhu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

 

Sharron Shanmiao Ma

Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Gamma LLC

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

 

James Zhijian Zhu

Title:  

Manager

 
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

 

Sharron Shanmiao Ma

Title:  

Manager

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

Balmoral Blue Limited

By:  

/s/ John Ho

 

John Ho

Title:  

Authorized Signatory

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:

APEX TECHNOLOGY SPONSOR LLC
By:  

/s/ Jeff Epstein

  Name:  

Jeff Epstein

  Title:  

Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

 

CANTOR FITZGERALD & CO.

By:  

/s/ Sage Kelly

  Name:  

Sage Kelly

  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MZ-Alpha LLC

By:  

/s/ James Zhijian Zhu

  James Zhijian Zhu
Title:   Manager
By:  

/s/ Sharron Shanmiao Ma

  Sharron Shanmiao Ma
Title:   Manager

[Signature Page to A&R Registration Rights Agreement]

Exhibit 10.6

AVEPOINT, INC.

2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

PURPOSES.

(a) Eligible Stock Award Recipients. The persons eligible to receive Stock Awards are Employees, Directors and Consultants.

(b) Available Stock Awards. The purpose of the Plan is to provide a means by which eligible recipients of Stock Awards may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of the following Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) stock bonuses and (iv) restricted stock.

(c) General Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of the group of persons eligible to receive Stock Awards, to secure and retain the services of new members of this group and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Affiliates.

 

2.

DEFINITIONS.

(a) “Affiliate” means any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation of the Company, whether now or hereafter existing, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

(b) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(c) “Capitalization Adjustment” has the meaning ascribed to that term in Section

11(a).

(d) “Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by any institutional investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions that are primarily a private financing transaction for the Company or (B) solely because the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;

 

1


(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company if, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction;

(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve or the Board approves a plan of complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or a complete dissolution or liquidation of the Company shall otherwise occur; or

(iv) there is consummated a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

The term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement (it being understood, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply).

(e) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(f) “Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 3(c).

(g) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(h) “Company” means AvePoint, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(i) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and who is compensated for such services or (ii) serving as a member of the Board of Directors of an Affiliate and who is compensated for such services. However, the term “Consultant” shall not include Directors who are not compensated by the Company for their services as Directors, and the payment of a director’s fee by the Company for services as a Director shall not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

 

2


(j) “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Consultant or Director or a change in the entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, shall not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or a Director shall not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. The Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service shall be considered interrupted in the case of any leave of absence approved by that party, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence shall be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy or in the written terms of the Participant’s leave of absence.

(k) “Corporate Transaction” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least ninety percent (90%) of the outstanding securities of the Company;

(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

(l) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(m) “Disability” means the permanent and total disability of a person within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(n) “Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. Service as a Director or payment of a director’s fee by the Company for such service or for service as a member of the Board of Directors of an Affiliate shall not be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company or an Affiliate.

(o) “Entity” means a corporation, partnership or other entity.

 

3


(p) Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(q) “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” shall not include (A) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (B) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (C) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company.

(r) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined in good faith by the Board.

(s) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(t) “Listing Date” means the first date upon which any security of the Company is listed (or approved for listing) upon notice of issuance on any securities exchange or designated (or approved for designation) upon notice of issuance as a national market security on an interdealer quotation system.

(u) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(v) “Officer” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

(w) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan.

(x) “Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. Each Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(y) “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

(z) “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” means that a person or Entity shall be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

(aa) “Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

(bb) “Plan” means this AvePoint, Inc. 2006 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

4


(cc) Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(dd) “Stock Award” means any right or equity interest granted under the Plan, including an Option, a stock bonus and restricted stock.

(ee) “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ff) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty percent (50%).

(gg) “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or of any of its Affiliates.

 

3.

ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Administration by Board. The Board shall administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration to a Committee, as provided in Section 3(c).

(b) Powers of Board. The Board shall have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine from time to time which of the persons eligible under the Plan shall be granted Stock Awards; when and how each Stock Award shall be granted; what type or combination of types of Stock Award shall be granted; the provisions of each Stock Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person shall be permitted to receive Common Stock pursuant to a Stock Award free of any restrictions; and the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which a Stock Award shall be granted to each such person.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.

(iii) To amend the Plan or a Stock Award as provided in Section 12.

(iv) To terminate or suspend the Plan as provided in Section 13.

 

5


(v) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.

(c) Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees of one (1) or more members of the Board, and the term “Committee” shall apply to any person or persons to whom such authority has been delegated. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board shall thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. The Board may abolish the Committee at any time and revest in the Board the administration of the Plan.

(d) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith shall not be subject to review by any person and shall be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

 

4.

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) Share Reserve. Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards shall not exceed in the aggregate 2,500 shares of Common Stock.

(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If any Stock Award shall for any reason expire or otherwise terminate, in whole or in part, without having been exercised in full, or if any shares of Common Stock issued to a Participant pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of or in connection with the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, the shares of Common Stock that have not been acquired, as well as the shares of Common Stock that have been forfeited or repurchased under such Stock Award shall revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan; provided, however, that subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued as Incentive Stock Options shall be 2,500 shares of Common Stock.

(c) Source of Shares. The shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan may be unissued shares or reacquired shares, bought on the market or otherwise.

 

5.

ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants.

(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder shall not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant.

 

6


(c) Consultants. A Consultant shall not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 of the Securities Act (“Rule 701”) because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of some other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

 

6.

OPTION PROVISIONS.

Each Option shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. All Options shall be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates shall be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. The provisions of separate Options need not be identical, but each Option shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Option or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Incentive Stock Option granted shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten

(10) years from the date on which it was granted.

(b) Exercise Price of an Incentive Stock Option. Subject to the provisions of Section 5(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise price of each Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424(a) of the Code.

(c) Exercise Price of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The exercise price of each Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option on the date the Option is granted..

(d) Consideration. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option shall be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable statutes and regulations, either (i) in cash at the time the Option is exercised or (ii) at the discretion of the Board at the time of the grant of the Option (or subsequently in the case of a Nonstatutory Stock Option) (1) by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock, (2) according to a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the Optionholder or (3) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board. Unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option, the purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to an Option that is paid by delivery to the Company of other Common Stock acquired, directly or indirectly from the Company, shall be paid only by shares of the Common Stock of the Company that have been held for more than six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes).

 

7


In the case of any deferred payment arrangement, interest shall be compounded at least annually and shall be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (1) the treatment as interest, under any applicable provisions of the Code, of any amounts other than amounts stated to be interest under the deferred payment arrangement and (2) the treatment of the Option as a variable award for financial accounting purposes.

(e) Transferability of an Incentive Stock Option. An Incentive Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

(f) Transferability of a Nonstatutory Stock Option. A Nonstatutory Stock Option shall be transferable to the extent provided in the Option Agreement. If the Nonstatutory Stock Option does not provide for transferability, then the Nonstatutory Stock Option shall not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Optionholder only by the Optionholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionholder may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form satisfactory to the Company, designate a third party who, in the event of the death of the Optionholder, shall thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option.

(g) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option may, but need not, vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may, but need not, be equal. The Option may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may be exercised (which may be based on performance or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options may vary. The provisions of this Section 6(g) are subject to any Option provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option may be exercised.

(h) Termination of Continuous Service. In the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability), the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination) but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three (3) months following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement), or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified in the Option Agreement, the Option shall terminate.

 

8


(i) Extension of Termination Date. An Optionholder’s Option Agreement may also provide that if the exercise of the Option following the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service (other than upon the Optionholder’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in Section 6(a) or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months after the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements.

(j) Disability of Optionholder. In the event that an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s Disability, the Optionholder may exercise his or her Option (to the extent that the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of termination), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date twelve (12) months following such termination (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement) or (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after termination, the Optionholder does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

(k) Death of Optionholder. In the event that (i) an Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Optionholder’s death or (ii) the Optionholder dies within the period (if any) specified in the Option Agreement after the termination of the Optionholder’s Continuous Service for a reason other than death, then the Option may be exercised (to the extent the Optionholder was entitled to exercise such Option as of the date of death) by the Optionholder’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the option upon the Optionholder’s death pursuant to Section 6(e) or 6(f), but only within the period ending on the earlier of (1) the date eighteen (18) months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Option Agreement) or (2) the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, after death, the Option is not exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.

(l) Early Exercise. The Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. The Company will not exercise its repurchase option until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option.

(m) Right of Repurchase. The Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Optionholder pursuant to the exercise of the Option. The Company will not exercise its repurchase option until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option.

 

9


(n) Right of First Refusal. The Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Company may elect, prior to the Listing Date, to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Optionholder of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option. The Company will not exercise its repurchase option until at least six (6) months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless otherwise specifically provided in the Option.

 

7.

PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS.

(a) Stock Bonus Awards. Each stock bonus agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of stock bonus agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate stock bonus agreements need not be identical, but each stock bonus agreement shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. A stock bonus may be awarded in consideration for past services actually rendered to the Company or an Affiliate for its benefit.

(ii) Vesting. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. In the event that a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the stock bonus agreement.

(iv) Transferability. Shares of Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the stock bonus agreement, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the stock bonus agreement remains subject to the terms of the stock bonus agreement.

(b) Restricted Stock Awards. Each restricted stock agreement shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the restricted stock agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate restricted stock agreements need not be identical, but each restricted stock agreement shall include (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Purchase Price. The purchase price of restricted stock awards shall not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Common Stock’s Fair Market Value on the date such award is made.

 

10


(ii) Consideration. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the restricted stock agreement shall be paid either: (i) in cash at the time of purchase; (ii) at the discretion of the Board, according to a deferred payment or other similar arrangement with the Participant; or (iii) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board in its discretion; provided, however, that to the extent applicable state corporate laws so require, payment of the Common Stock’s “par value,” as defined by applicable state statutes, shall be made in cash and not by deferred payment.

(iii) Vesting. Shares of Common Stock acquired under the restricted stock agreement may, but need not, be subject to a share repurchase option in favor of the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iv) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. In the event that a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may repurchase or otherwise reacquire any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination under the terms of the restricted stock purchase agreement.

(v) Transferability. Shares of Common Stock acquired under the restricted stock agreement shall be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the restricted stock agreement, as the Board shall determine in its discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded and acquired under the restricted stock agreement remains subject to the terms of the restricted stock agreement.

 

8.

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

(a) Availability of Shares. During the terms of the Stock Awards, the Company shall keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock required to satisfy such Stock Awards.

(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company shall seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking shall not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority which counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company shall be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained.

 

9.

USE OF PROCEEDS FROM STOCK.

Proceeds from the sale of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards shall constitute general funds of the Company.

 

10.

MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) Acceleration of Exercisability and Vesting. The Board shall have the power to accelerate the time at which a Stock Award may first be exercised or the time during which a Stock Award or any part thereof will vest in accordance with the Plan, notwithstanding the provisions in the Stock Award stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

 

11


(b) Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to an Option granted hereunder unless and until such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Option pursuant to its terms.

(c) No Employment or other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed or Stock Award granted pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(d) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of any Stock Award Agreement.

(e) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that he or she is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, shall be inoperative if (1) the issuance of the shares of Common Stock upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act or (2) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

 

12


(f) Withholding Obligations. To the extent provided by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Participant may satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under a Stock Award by any of the following means (in addition to the Company’s right to withhold from any compensation paid to the Participant by the Company) or by a combination of such means: (i) tendering a cash payment; (ii) authorizing the Company to withhold shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant as a result of the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid variable award accounting); or (iii) delivering to the Company owned and unencumbered shares of Common Stock.

 

11.

ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN STOCK.

(a) Capitalization Adjustments. If any change is made in, or other event occurs with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award without the receipt of consideration by the Company (through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other transaction not involving the receipt of consideration by the Company (each a “Capitalization Adjustment”), the Plan will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Sections 4(a) and 4(b) and the maximum number of securities subject to award to any person pursuant to Section 5(c), and the outstanding Stock Awards will be appropriately adjusted in the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Stock Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. (The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as a transaction “without receipt of consideration” by the Company.)

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, then all outstanding Options shall terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase option may be repurchased by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such stock is still in Continuous Service.

(c) Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation may assume or continue any or all Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar stock awards for Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan (it being understood that similar stock awards include, but are not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders or the Company, as the case may be, pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Stock Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or such successor’s parent company), if any, in connection with such Corporate Transaction. In the event that any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation does not assume or continue any or all such outstanding Stock Awards or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding Stock Awards, then with respect to Stock Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants

 

13


whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, the vesting of such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time at which such Stock Awards may be exercised) shall (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board shall determine (or, if the Board shall not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction), the Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to such effective time, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Stock Awards held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated shall (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) lapse. With respect to any other Stock Awards outstanding under the Plan that have not been assumed, continued or substituted, the vesting of such Stock Awards (and, if applicable, the time at which such Stock Award may be exercised) shall not be accelerated unless otherwise provided in a written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the holder of such Stock Award, and such Stock Awards shall terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction.

(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award held by any Participant whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of a Change in Control may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after such event as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur.

 

12.

AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND STOCK AWARDS.

(a) Amendment of Plan. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the Plan. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, no amendment shall be effective unless approved by the stockholders of the Company to the extent stockholder approval is necessary to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code.

(b) Stockholder Approval. The Board, in its sole discretion, may submit any other amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

(c) Contemplated Amendments. It is expressly contemplated that the Board may amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable to provide eligible Employees with the maximum benefits provided or to be provided under the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder relating to Incentive Stock Options and/or to bring the Plan and/or Incentive Stock Options granted under it into compliance therewith.

(d) No Impairment of Rights. Rights under any Stock Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the Participant consents in writing.

(e) Amendment of Stock Awards. The Board at any time, and from time to time, may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards; provided, however, that the rights under any Stock Award shall not be impaired by any such amendment unless (i) the Company requests the consent of the Participant and (ii) the Participant consents in writing.

 

14


13.

TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

(a) Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless sooner terminated, the Plan shall terminate on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date the Plan is adopted by the Board or approved by the stockholders of the Company, whichever is earlier. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan shall not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the Participant.

 

14.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

The Plan shall become effective as determined by the Board, but no Stock Award shall be exercised (or, in the case of a stock bonus, shall be granted) unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval shall be within twelve (12) months before or after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

15.

CHOICE OF LAW.

The law of the State of Delaware shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

15

Exhibit 10.7

AVEPOINT, INC.

2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

FY 2013 OFFICER STOCK OPTION AWARD (Time Vesting)

 

          NUMBER OF    PRICE PER    SOCIAL
          SHARES SUBJECT TO    SECURITY

GRANTED TO

  

GRANT DATE

  

THIS OPTION AWARD

  

SHARE

  

NUMBER

[Name]

  

November 22, 2013

  

[No. of Shares]

  

$13.46

  

[SSN]

    

GRANT NUMBER

  

OPTION VESTING SCHEDULE

   SO-2013-xx    Subject to the other terms contained in this Award, the options awarded hereunder shall vest as follows: the option to purchase [no. of shares divided by 4] shares of common stock will vest on December 31, 2013 and the option to purchase [total shares divided by 48] shares will vest on the first day of each month beginning on January 31, 2014 and continuing until December 31, 2016 at which time the options to purchase all [no. of shares total] shares of the Award will have fully vested. Each such date is a “Vesting Date”.

AVEPOINT, INC. and its successors and assigns (the “Company”) hereby grants this Incentive Stock Option Award (the “Award”) to [Name], employee of the Company (the “Grantee”) at the above stated price per share (“Grant Price”) effective November 22, 2013 (the “Grant Date”), pursuant to its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan that is provided along herewith (the “Plan”), covering the above stated number of shares of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”) and subject to the option vesting schedule set forth in this Agreement.

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) proposed this Award and recommended its approval to the Board of Directors of the Company, and the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, granted the Award to the Grantee.

The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, or alternatively and as appropriate, the Board of Directors of the Company (in either case, the “Committee”). The Grantee agrees that any controversy that arises concerning this Agreement or the Plan shall be resolved by the Committee as it deems proper, and any decision of the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

The terms of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference. In the case of any conflict between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth:

1. GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including without limitation the vesting provisions of Section 3 below, and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan (which are incorporated herein by reference and which shall govern in the event of any inconsistent or contrary term or condition herein), the Company hereby grants to the Grantee the right and option (the “Option”) to purchase up to [total no. of shares] shares of Common Stock (the “Common Shares”).

2. OPTION.

(a) Option Price. The purchase price of each Common Share subject to this Option shall be $13.46 per share, which has been determined by the Committee to be not less than the fair market value of each share of Common Stock at the time of grant hereunder.

(b) Exercise of Option. Subject to subparagraph (e) of this Section 2, and provided the Grantee executes a counterpart signature page to the Stockholders Agreement among the Company and certain stockholders dated November 8th, 2006, as amended, modified, supplemented and/or replaced from time to time, the Grantee may exercise this Option with respect to any of his or her vested Common Shares at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the date hereof.

(c) Manner of Exercise and Payment. This Option may be exercised by delivering written notice of exercise addressed to the Secretary of the Company, in person, or by mail, postage prepaid, at the location at which the Company then maintains its principal office, and if so mailed, the date of mailing will be considered the date of exercise. The Grantee shall pay the option price of the Common Shares to be purchased pursuant to the exercise of this Option in cash (including personal or certified checks).


(d) Person Who May Exercise Option. During the lifetime of the Grantee, this Option shall be exercisable only by the Grantee, or if the Grantee is disabled, by his or her duly appointed guardian or legal representative. After Grantee’s death, Grantee’s personal representative may exercise the Option at any time prior to the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of this Option or (ii) one year after Grantee’s death.

(e) Termination of Option. Notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary, this Option, to the extent that it has not previously been exercised, shall terminate (i) upon the expiration of the term of this Option as set forth in subparagraph 2(b) hereof or (ii) as otherwise provided in the Plan. Section 6(h) of the Plan is specifically incorporated herein by reference.

3. VESTING.

(a) Except for the repurchase option of the Company set forth below, the option to purchase [total no. of shares divided by 4] shares of common stock will vest on December 31, 2013 and the option to purchase [total shares divided by 48] shares will vest on the first day of each month beginning on January 31, 2014 and continuing on the first day of each month through and including December 31, 2016 at which time the option to purchase all [total no. of shares] shares of the Award will be considered fully vested. In no event, however, will any vesting occur after the date of termination of the Optionee’s employment with the Company for any reason, whether by the Company or the Optionee, except as set forth in Section 3(b).

(b) Vesting in the Event of a Sale. If a Sale (as defined in Section 3[c] below) occurs while Grantee is employed by the Company (or if Grantee’s employment is terminated by Company without Cause within ninety (90) days prior to the execution of any definitive agreement relating to a Sale transaction and such Sale transaction is consummated), but before the Option is fully vested, then the date upon which the Sale occurs will be the Vesting Date with respect to the unvested portion of the Award and the Option shall become fully vested. For purposes of this Section 3(b) “Cause” means (i) a material breach by Grantee of any agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates, which breach, if curable, is not cured within 30 days of receipt by Grantee of written notice from the Company specifying the breach or, if cured, recurs within 180 days following receipt of the written notice; (ii) Grantee’s gross negligence in the performance of Grantee’s material job duties; (iii) Grantee’s intentional nonperformance or misperformance of such duties, or Grantee’s refusal or failure to abide by or comply with the directives of the Board of Directors or Grantee’s superiors, or the Company’s policies and procedures, which actions, if curable, are not cured within 30 days after receipt by Grantee of written notice thereof or, if cured, recurs within 180 days following receipt of the written notice; (iv) Grantee’s willful dishonesty with respect to the business or affairs of the Company, or the Grantee’s material breach of any fiduciary duty to the Company or its stockholders; or (v) Grantee’s conviction of any felony or any other crime involving moral turpitude.

(c) Definition of Sale. For purposes of this Award, “Sale” means the occurrence of a (A) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, (B) consolidation or merger of the Company, or (C) sale or other transfer of capital stock of the Company, in each case in one transaction or a series of related transactions, resulting in the beneficial holders of the Company’s outstanding common stock (calculated on an as-converted and fully-diluted basis) immediately prior to such transaction holding immediately after such transaction less than a majority of the Company’s outstanding common stock (calculated as aforesaid) or, in the case of an asset sale or a consolidation or merger where the Company is not the surviving entity, less than a majority of the voting securities or economic interests in the acquiring or surviving entity (calculated on an as-converted and fully-diluted basis). “Sale” shall not mean any initial public offering of the Company.

4. TRANSFERABILITY. This Agreement and any rights hereunder shall be nontransferable and nonassignable by the Grantee.

5. ADJUSTMENT OF COMMON SHARES. The numbers of shares to be granted under the Plan (including under its Section 4) and the terms of any outstanding options shall be equitably adjusted by the Company in accordance with the Plan in the event that the Company effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or consolidations of shares. Any such adjustment made in good faith by the Company shall be final and conclusive on the Participant.

The issuance by the Company of stock of any class, or securities convertible into stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of stock or obligations of the Company convertible into such stock or other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum number of shares as to which options may be granted or the terms and number of outstanding options.


6. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Grantee hereby represents, warrants and agrees that:

(a) He or she understands the offer of stock under this Agreement is made pursuant to a claim of exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) and applicable state securities law;

(b) The Company is not obligated to issue Common Shares upon exercise of this Option until there has been compliance with any Federal or state laws or regulations that the Company may deem applicable;

(c) The Common Shares will be purchased for his or her own account for investment purposes only and not with a view to resale or distribution thereof;

(d) The Common Shares may be unregistered and, if so, will be required to be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered or an exemption from registration is then available; and

(e) The Company is under no obligation to register the Common Shares, to comply with any such exemption or to supply the Grantee with any information necessary to enable him or her to make routine sales of such stock under Rule 144 or any other rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

7. NO RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER OR TO EMPLOYMENT. The Grantee shall not have any interest in or shareholder rights with respect to any Common Shares that are subject to this Option until such Common Shares have been issued and delivered to the Grantee pursuant to the exercise of this Option. Furthermore, neither this Agreement nor the Plan confers upon the Grantee any rights of employment with the Company, including without limitation any right to continue in the employ of the Company, as a director of the Company, or as a consultant to the Company, or affects the right of the Company to terminate the employment of the Grantee, his or her status as a director, or his or her retention as a consultant, at any time, with or without cause, or to continue or alter the terms thereof.

8. DRAG-ALONG PROVISIONS. The Grantee hereby agrees (a) to sell his or her Common Shares on the same basic terms (e.g., purchase price per share) and to whomever the holders of a majority of outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (determined on an as-converted basis) may agree to sell their Common Shares, (b) to vote his or her Common Shares to approve any transaction recommended and approved by such holders, including any merger of the Company or sale of substantially all of its assets, and (c) to execute whatever documentation is necessary to effect the foregoing. This provision shall be inapplicable to a transaction in which the acquiring party is an affiliate of any holder of more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company (determined on an as-converted basis).

9. TAXES. As a condition of exercise of this Option, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold or require the Grantee to pay or reimburse the Company for any taxes which the Company determines are required to be withheld in connection with the grant or any exercise of this Option.

NO REPRESENTATION RESPECTING TAX TREATMENT OF ANY OPTION, INCLUDING ITS EXERCISE, HAS BEEN MADE TO GRANTEE. GRANTEE IS URGED TO CONSULT GRANTEE’S LEGAL COUNSEL, ACCOUNTANTS, OR OTHER TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF OPTIONS GRANTED UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IN RELATION TO GRANTEE’S OWN PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.

10. HEIRS AND SUCCESSORS. This Agreement and all terms and conditions hereof shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon the Grantee and his or her heirs, legatees and legal representatives.

11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; WAIVER. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No other written or oral agreement or understanding between the parties hereto regarding options or equity in the Company shall be construed as a binding agreement, except as may be in the form of a written amendment to this Agreement or another Stock Option Agreement entered into under the Plan.


12. REPURCHASE RIGHT.

(a) If the Optionee’s employment is terminated for any reason, the Company shall have the right to acquire from the Optionee (or the Optionee’s estate) any or all of (i) this Option and/or (ii) the Common Shares that have been issued pursuant to this Option.

(b) The Company must exercise its right of repurchase within six months after the date of termination of employment. The Company shall exercise its repurchase option by delivery of written notice to the Optionee indicating the number of shares the Company has elected to repurchase and the aggregate purchase price for such shares (the “Repurchase Notice”).

(c) The amount payable by the Company for each share to be repurchased shall be the fair market value of such share as of the date of termination of the Optionee’s employment (the “Fair Value”). The Board or the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Value of such shares, and such determination shall be final and binding. If the Company elects to repurchase all or any portion of this Option, the Fair Value thereof shall be reduced by the aggregate exercise price of the Option.

(d) The closing of the repurchase shall take place at the offices of the Company’s counsel, or at such other location designated by the Company, within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the Repurchase Notice. At the closing, the Optionee shall execute and deliver to the Company instruments of transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, sufficient to transfer the purchased shares to the Company free and clear of all liens, restrictions, security interests and encumbrances (except for restrictions under applicable securities laws), against the simultaneous delivery to the Executive of the purchase price therefor, which shall be paid in cash or by setting off against any obligation of the Company to the Optionee.

 

AVEPOINT, INC.

By:                       
 

Tianyi Jiang

 

Co-Chief Executive Officer

I hereby acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and the Plan, and I agree to conform to all terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

 

                 

    

Date: November 22, 2013

[Employee Name]     

Exhibit 10.8

AVEPOINT, INC.

2006 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

FY 2013 RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD

(Time Vesting)

 

                    SOCIAL
          NUMBER OF    PRICE PER    SECURITY

ISSUED TO

  

ISSUE DATE

  

SHARES ISSUED

  

SHARE

  

NUMBER

[Name]

  

November 29, 2013

  

[No. of Shares]

  

$13.46

  

[SSN]

    

GRANT NUMBER

  

RESTRICTION LAPSE SCHEDULE

   RS-2013-xx    Subject to the other terms contained in this Award, [no. of shares divided by 4] shares will vest on December 31, 2013 and [total shares divided by 48] shares will vest on the first day of each month beginning on January 31, 2014 and continuing until December 31, 2016 at which time all [no. of shares total] shares of the Award will be considered Unrestricted Shares (as defined below). Each such date is a “Vesting Date”.

AVEPOINT, INC. and its successors and assigns (the “Company”) hereby grants a Restricted Stock Award (the “Award”) to [Name], employee of the Company (the “Participant”), and Participant hereby purchases pursuant to the terms of that certain promissory note, dated as of the date of this Award, by and between the Company and the Participant, at the above stated price per share (“Issue Price”) effective November 29, 2013 (the “Issue Date”), pursuant to its 2006 Equity Incentive Plan that is provided along herewith (the “Plan”), covering the above stated number of shares (the “Restricted Shares”) of common stock of the Company (“Common Stock”).

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Compensation Committee”) approved this Award pursuant to the terms of the Plan, granted the Award to the Participant.

The Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, or alternatively and as appropriate, the Board of Directors of the Company (in either case, the “Committee”). The terms of the Plan are hereby incorporated into this Agreement by this reference. In the case of any conflict between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Plan.

Now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth:

1. The Company hereby issues to the Participant an Award covering the Restricted Shares, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan. Participant hereby purchases the Restricted Shares at the Issue Price subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

2. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the restrictions applicable to the Restricted Shares shall lapse (with the shares no longer subject to the restrictions set forth herein being referred to as “Unrestricted Shares”), according to the schedule set forth above.

3. If Participant is an employee of the Company at the time of a Change of Control, then all of the restrictions hereunder applicable to the Restricted Shares shall immediately lapse and shall no longer be subject to forfeiture. Notwithstanding anything in the this Agreement to the contrary, in no event, however, will any restrictions lapse after the date that Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company for any reason, whether terminated by the Company or Participant.

4. Participant will not sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of any Restricted Shares (or any interest in such shares) except as set forth in this Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement dated November 3, 2006.


5. The Company will, at its option, reflect Participant’s ownership of the Restricted Shares in book-entry form with the Company’s transfer agent or through the issuance of one or more stock certificates. If the Company elects to reflect ownership through the issuance of stock certificates, such certificates will be held in escrow with the Corporate Secretary of the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan. Subject to terms of this Agreement and the Plan, Participant will have all rights of a shareholder with respect to the Restricted Shares while they are held in escrow or in book-entry form, including, without limitation, the right to vote the Restricted Shares and receive any cash dividends declared on such shares. If, from time to time prior to the date that the restrictions on all of the Restricted Shares have lapsed, there is (i) any stock dividend, stock split or other change in the Restricted Shares, or (ii) any merger or sale of all or substantially all of the assets or other acquisition of the Company, any and all new, substituted or additional securities to which Participant is entitled by reason of his ownership of the Restricted Shares shall be held on his behalf by the Company in book-entry form or through the issuance of one or more stock certificates and held in escrow pursuant to this section until vesting pursuant to the schedule applicable to the underlying Restricted Shares.

6. As described in the Plan, in the event of certain corporate transactions or other actions or events, the Committee may take such actions with respect to this Award as it deems appropriate and consistent with the Plan.

7. Participant understands that Participant (and not the Company) is responsible for any tax liability that may arise as a result of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. Participant understands that Section 83 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) taxes as ordinary income the difference between the amount paid for the Restricted Shares and the fair market value of the Restricted Shares as of the date the restrictions on such shares lapse. Participant understands that Participant may elect to be taxed at the time of the Award, rather than when the restrictions lapse, by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days from the Issue Date.

8. As a condition of accepting this Award, Participant agrees to make arrangements for the payment of such taxes, such as withholding of income taxes and employment taxes, as applicable and required by law, in connection with the Award. Until adequate arrangements have been made, certificates representing Unrestricted Shares will not be issued to Participant. Participant may satisfy applicable withholding taxes by any manner permitted by the Plan, subject to the consent of the Committee, including, (i) delivering a sufficient number of shares of already owned Common Stock (which have been owned by Participant for more than six (6) months), and/or (ii) having the Company retain a sufficient number of shares from the distribution to be made to Participant.

9. The fact that the Participant has been granted this Award will not affect or qualify the right of the Company or a subsidiary to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time.

10. If any provision of this Agreement should be deemed void or unenforceable for any reason, it shall be severed from the remainder of this Agreement, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

11. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be addressed to AvePoint, Inc., to the attention of the Chief Operating Officer, Harborside Financial Center, Plaza 10, 9th Floor, 3 Second Street Jersey City, NJ 07311, and any notice to be given to Participant or to his or her personal representative shall be addressed to him or her at the address set forth below or to such other address as either party may, hereafter, designate in writing to the other. Notices shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed, postage prepaid, addressed as aforesaid.

12. Participant may accept this Award, subject to the registration and listing of the shares issuable under the Plan, by signing and returning the enclosed executed counterpart of this Agreement. Participant’s signature will also evidence Participants agreement to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and to which this Award is subject.

13. Along with this Agreement, Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. Also, if Participant has previously been granted an award under the Plan, Participant hereby acknowledges that he has received all of the reports, proxy statements and other communications generally distributed to the holders of the Company’s securities since the date(s) of such grant(s) and no later than the times of such distributions.

14. If Participant’s employment is terminated for any reason, whether by the Company or the Participant, the Company shall have the right to acquire from Participant (or Participant’s estate) any or all of the Restricted Shares that have been issued pursuant to this Agreement, without respect to whether such shares are then Unrestricted Shares or not. If the Company chooses to acquire any portion of this Award, the Company must exercise its right of repurchase within six (6) months after the date of termination. The Company shall exercise its repurchase option by delivery of written notice to Participant indicating the number of shares the Company has elected to repurchase and


the aggregate purchase price for such shares (the “Repurchase Notice”). The amount payable by the Company for each share to be repurchased shall be (a) in the case of Unrestricted Shares, the fair market value of such share as of the date of termination of Participant’s services (the “Fair Value”) and (b) in the case of all other shares, the Issue Price paid for such share. The Board or the Committee shall determine in good faith the Fair Value of such shares, and such determination shall be final and binding. The closing of the repurchase shall take place at the offices of the Company’s counsel, or at such other location designated by the Company, within thirty (30) days after the delivery of the Repurchase Notice. At the closing, Participant shall execute and deliver to the Company instruments of transfer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, sufficient to transfer the purchased shares to the Company free and clear of all liens, restrictions, security interests and encumbrances (except for restrictions under applicable securities laws).

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed, as of the Issue Date shown above.

 

AVEPOINT, INC.

By:                               
 

Tianyi Jiang

 

Co-Chief Executive Officer

I hereby acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and the Plan, and I agree to conform to all terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.

 

 

[Employee Name]

                                              

 

Date: November 29, 2013

             

    

                 

Signature      Address

Exhibit 10.13

EXECUTION FORM

AVEPOINT, INC.

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

(2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), has granted to you (“Optionholder”) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). Your Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement (inclusive of the additional terms and conditions for certain countries, as set forth in the appendix attached thereto as Exhibit A the “Stock Option Agreement”), and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, as applicable.

 

Optionholder:

  
  

 

Date of Grant:

  
  

 

Vesting Commencement Date:

  
  

 

Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to Option:

  
  

 

Exercise Price (Per Share):

   US$
  

 

Total Exercise Price:

   US$
  

 

Expiration Date:

  
  

 

Type of Grant: [Incentive Stock Option] OR [Nonstatutory Stock Option]

Exercise and

Vesting Schedule: Subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the Option will vest as follows:

[__________________________________________________________________________]

Optionholder Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

 

The Option is governed by this Stock Option Grant Notice, and the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice, and the Stock Option Agreement (together, the “Option Agreement”), neither the Option Agreement nor any of its constituent parts may be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

1.


 

If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted to you) cannot be first exercisable for more than US$100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over US$100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

 

You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, the Prospectus and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

 

You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

 

The Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of other equity awards previously granted to you and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company or an Affiliate and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this Option.

 

 

Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

AVEPOINT, INC.

 

By:                                                                                  

Signature

 

Title:                                                                              

 

Date:                                                                              

  

OPTIONHOLDER:

 

Signature

 

Date:                                                                                         

ATTACHMENTS: Stock Option Agreement, 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, Notice of Exercise


ATTACHMENT I

AVEPOINT, INC.

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

As reflected by your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Option”). Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Stock Option Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable. The terms of your Option as specified in the Grant Notice and this Stock Option Agreement (including the Appendix (as defined below) attached hereto as Exhibit A) constitute your Option Agreement.

The general terms and conditions applicable to your Option are as follows:

1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:

(a) Section 6 regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your Option;

(b) Section 9(e) regarding the Company’s retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the Option; and

(c) Section 8(c) regarding the tax consequences of your Option.

Your Option is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

2. EXERCISE.

(a) You may generally exercise the vested portion of your Option for whole shares of Common Stock at any time during its term by delivery of payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes and other required documentation to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the exercise procedures established by the Plan Administrator, which may include an electronic submission. Please review Sections 4(i), 4(j) and 7(b)(v) of the Plan, which may restrict or prohibit your ability to exercise your Option during certain periods.

(b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, you may pay your Option exercise price as follows:

(i) cash, check, bank draft or money order;


(ii) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program as further described in Section 4(c)(ii) of the Plan if at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded;

(iii) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock as further described in Section 4(c)(iii) of the Plan; or

(iv) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement as further described in Section 4(c)(iv) of the Plan.

(c) The Company may suspend, or eliminate, various forms of permissible payment of the exercise price from time to time in its sole discretion. Further, notwithstanding any provision within this Option Agreement to the contrary, if you are resident or provide services outside of the United States, the Company may require that you (or in the event of your death, your legal representative, as the case may be) exercise the Option in a method other than as specified above, may require you to exercise the Option only by means of a “same day sale” transaction (either a “sell-all” transaction or a “sell-to-cover” transaction) as it determines in its sole discretion, or may require you to sell any shares of Common Stock you acquire under the Plan immediately or within a specified period following your termination of your Continuous Service (in which case, you hereby agree that the Company shall have the authority to issue sale instructions in relation to such shares of Common Stock on your behalf).

(d) By accepting your Option, you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 2(c). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 2(c) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

3. TERM. You may not exercise your Option before the commencement of its term or after its term expires. The term of your Option commences on the Date of Grant and expires upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;


(b) three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, Disability or death;

(c) 12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;

(d) 18 months after your death if you die during your Continuous Service;

(e) immediately upon a Corporate Transaction if the Board has determined that the Option will terminate in connection with a Corporate Transaction,

(f) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(g) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you die during the period provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c) above, the term of your Option shall not expire until the earlier of (i) 18 months after your death, (ii) upon any termination of the Option in connection with a Corporate Transaction, (iii) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice, or (iv) the day before the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. Additionally, the Post-Termination Exercise Period of your Option may be extended as provided in Section 4(i) of the Plan.

If you are a U.S. taxpayer, to obtain the U.S. federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the date of grant of your Option and ending on the day three months before the date of your Option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. If the Company provides for the extended exercisability of your Option under certain circumstances for your benefit, your Option will not necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you exercise your Option more than three months after the date your employment terminates.

4. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan: (a) you may not exercise your Option unless the applicable tax withholding obligations are satisfied, and (b) you acknowledge and agree that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, your Employer, the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to your participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount, if any, actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. You further acknowledge that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Option or the underlying shares of Common Stock, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one


jurisdiction. The Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering statutory or other withholding rates, including minimum or maximum rates applicable in your jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (with no entitlement to the equivalent in shares of Common Stock), or if not refunded, you may be able to seek a refund from the local tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, you may be required to pay any additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authority or to the Company and/or the Employer. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your Option even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to your Option, unless and until such Tax-Related Items are satisfied.

You authorize the Company, at its discretion, to satisfy the Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following: (a) withholding from your wages or other cash compensation payable to you by the Company or Employer, (b) withholding shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to you, (c) payment from the proceeds of the sale of shares acquired upon exercise either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on your behalf pursuant to this authorization without further consent), (d) requiring you to make a payment in a form acceptable to the Company, or (e) any other method of withholding determined by the Company and permitted by Applicable Law.

If the Tax-Related Items are satisfied by a mandatory sale pursuant to method (c) above, you are deemed to instruct and authorize the Company and a brokerage firm determined acceptable to the Company for such purpose to sell on your behalf a number of whole shares of Common Stock from the shares that are issuable upon exercise hereof as are necessary to generate cash proceeds determined by the Company to be sufficient to satisfy the Tax-Related Items. Such shares will be sold on the date on which the Tax-Related Items arises or as soon thereafter as practicable. You acknowledge and agree that the Company is under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price, that you are responsible for all fees and other costs of sale, that you are hereby agreeing to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages or expenses relating to any such sale, and that the proceeds of any such sale may not be sufficient to satisfy your Tax-Related Items.

5. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION DISPOSITION REQUIREMENT. If your Option is an Incentive Stock Option, you must notify the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your Option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of your Option grant or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your Option.

6. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(e) of the Plan, your Option is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

7. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your Option is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.


8. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the Option, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the Option or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Option and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, if you are a U.S. taxpayer, you acknowledge that the Option is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Option. Additionally, as a condition to accepting the Option, you agree not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the U.S. Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

9. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. Without limitation of the terms and conditions provided in Section 9(j) of the Plan, in no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

10. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

11. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy, which policies permits certain individuals to sell shares only during certain “window” periods, and the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, as in effect from time to time..

12. APPENDIX. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Option Agreement, the Option grant shall be subject to any additional or different terms and conditions set forth in the Appendix to this Option Agreement for certain country or countries (the “Appendix”) set forth as Exhibit A to this Option Agreement. Moreover, if you relocate to any country included in the Appendix, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to you, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Option Agreement.


13. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY AND PARTICIPATION. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means.    You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

14. TERMINATION OR MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN; IMPOSITION OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS. The Company, in its discretion, may elect to terminate, suspend or modify the terms of the Plan at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan. You agree to be bound by such termination, suspension or modification regardless of whether notice is given to you of such event. In addition, the Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on your participation in the Plan, on the Option and on any shares of Common Stock purchased under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require you to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

15. WAIVER. You acknowledge that a waiver by the Company of breach of any provision of this Option Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Option Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by you or any other Participant.

16. GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE. The Option and the provisions of this Option Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract, tort or statute) that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to the Option or the Options Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Option Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Option Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Option Agreement), are governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with, and subject to, the laws of the U.S. state of Delaware without regards to the conflict of law provisions. For purposes of any action, lawsuit, or other proceedings brought to enforce this Option Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Commonwealth of Virginia located in Richmond, Virginia or the federal courts for the United States for the Eastern District of Virginia located in Richmond, Virginia, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

17. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your Option, including a summary of the applicable U.S. federal income tax consequences, please see the Prospectus.

* * * *


EXHIBIT A

AVEPOINT, INC.

APPENDIX TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Terms and Conditions

This Appendix includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Option granted to you under the Plan if you reside and/or work outside of the United States. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan and/or the Stock Option Agreement to which this Appendix is attached.

If you are a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which you are currently working and/or residing, transfer to another country after the Date of Grant, are a consultant, change employment status to a consultant, or are considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the Company shall, in its discretion, determine the extent to which the terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to you. References to your “Employer” shall include any entity that engages your services.

Notifications

This Appendix also includes information regarding securities, exchange controls, tax, and certain other issues of which you should be aware with respect to your participation in the Plan. The information is provided solely for your convenience and is based on the securities, exchange control, tax, and other laws in effect in the respective countries as of April 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that you not rely on the information noted herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of your participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date by the time you vest in or exercise the Option or sell any shares of Common Stock.

In addition, the information contained in this Appendix is general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure you of any particular result. Accordingly, you should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the applicable laws in your country may apply to your situation.

Finally, you understand that if you are a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which you are currently residing and/or working, transfer to another country after the Date of Grant, or are considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the notifications contained herein may not be applicable to you in the same manner.


TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO ALL NON-U.S. OPTIONHOLDERS

In accepting this Option, you acknowledge, understand, and agree to the following:

1. DATA PRIVACY INFORMATION. The Company’s headquarters is located at 525 Washington Blvd., Suite 1400, Jersey City, New Jersey 07311, USA, The Company grants Options to employees of the Company and of its Affiliates (in their respective capacities as Employers) at the Company’s sole discretion. If you would like to participate in the Plan, please review the following information about the Company’s data processing practices. The following is subject to the Company’s global privacy policy (“Company’s Privacy Policy”) (as amended from time to time) available here:

https://avepointcrm.sharepoint.com/sites/PeopleTeamPortal/SitePages/People-Team-Privacy-Policy.aspx.

To the extent there is a conflict between the terms of the Option Agreement and the Company’s Privacy Policy, the Company’s Privacy Policy will control.

THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 1. APPLY TO OPTIONHOLDERS WHO WORK AND/OR RESIDE OUTSIDE THE EUROPEAN UNION/EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, SWITZERLAND AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

(a) Data Collection and Usage. You hereby explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your Data (as defined below) by and among, as applicable, (i) the Company or, if different, your Employer or its or their respective Affiliates, (ii) the Plan Broker and (iii) the Transfer Agent for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing your participation in the Plan.

(b) Data Processing. You understand that the Company, the Employer, and its and their respective Affiliates may collect, process, transfer, use, and hold certain personal information and personally identifiable information about you that is necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan and which may include, without limitation, your name, home address, email address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, passport or other identification number, salary, nationality and citizenship, job title, any shares of Common Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all awards or other entitlements to shares of Common Stock, granted, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (“Data”).


(c) Stock Plan Administration, Data Transfer, Retention and Data Subject Rights.

(i) You understand that some or all of the Data will be transferred to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and/or its affiliates including Solium Plan Managers LLC (collectively, the “Plan Broker”), which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration, and management of the Plan, and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Transfer Agent”), which is assisting the Company with maintaining security holder records and tracking ownership changes in shares of Common Stock held in the Company. In the future, the Company may select different service providers (in addition to or in place of the the Plan Broker and/or the Transfer Agent) and share your Data with other service providers that serve in a similar manner. The Plan Broker may open an account for you to receive and trade shares of Common Stock. The processing of your Data will take place through both electronic and non-electronic means. You may be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the Plan Broker, with such agreement being a condition of the ability to participate in the Plan.

(ii) You understand that the recipients of the Data may be located in your country of work and/or residence, or elsewhere, and that any recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country of work and/or residence. You understand that you may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data via the Company’s Human Resources Information System (“HRIS”) interface or by contacting in writing your local human resources representative on the Company’s “People Team” at people@avepoint.com.

(iii) You authorize the Company, the Plan Broker, the Transfer Agent, and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan. You understand that you may, at any time, view the Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, via the HRIS interface or by contacting in writing your local human resources representative on the People Team at people@avepoint.com. Further, you understand that you are providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis. If you do not consent, or if you later seek to revoke your consent, your employment status or service with the Employer will not be affected; the only consequence of refusing or withdrawing your consent is that the Company would not be able to grant you Options or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards. Therefore, you understand that refusal or withdrawal of consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of your refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, you understand that you may contact your local human resources representative on the People Team at people@avepoint.com.

THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 1. APPLY TO OPTIONHOLDERS WHO WORK AND/OR RESIDE WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION/EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA, SWITZERLAND AND THE UNITED KINGDOM.

(a) Data Collection and Usage. The Company or, if different, your Employer and its and their respective Affiliates collect, process, transfer, use, and hold personal data and personally identifiable information about you that is necessary for the purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan. This personal data may include your name, home address, email address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number, passport or other identification number, salary, nationality and citizenship, job title, any shares of Common Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all awards or other entitlements to shares of Common Stock, granted, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor(“Data”), which the Company receives from you or the Employer.


(b) Purposes and Legal Bases of Processing. The Company processes the Data for the purpose of performing its contractual obligations under the Option Agreement, granting Options, implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. The legal basis for the processing of the Data by the Company and the third party service providers described below is the necessity of the data processing for the Company to perform its contractual obligations under the Option Agreement and for the Company’s legitimate business interests of managing the Plan and generally administering employee equity awards.

(c) Stock Plan Administration Service Providers. The Company transfers some or all of the Data to (i) Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and/or its affiliates including Solium Plan Managers LLC (collectively, the “Plan Broker”), independent service providers with operations, relevant to the Company, in the United States, which assists the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan and (ii) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Transfer Agent”), which is assisting the Company with maintaining security holder records and tracking ownership changes in shares of Common Stock held in the Company. In the future, the Company may select different service providers (in addition to or in place of the Plan Broker and/or the Transfer Agent) and share your Data with other service providers that serve in a similar manner. The Company may open an account through the Plan Broker for you to receive and trade shares of Common Stock. The processing of your Data will take place through both electronic and non-electronic means. You may be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with the Plan Broker, with such agreement being a condition of the ability to participate in the Plan.

(d) International Data Transfers. You understand that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than your country. You understand that you may request a list with the names and addresses of any then-current recipients of the Data via the Company’s Human Resources Information System (“HRIS”) interface or by contacting in writing your local human resources representative on the Company’s “People Team” at people@avepoint.com. When transferring Data to its affiliates, the Plan Broker, or the Transfer Agent, the Company provides appropriate safeguards described in the Company’s Privacy Policy (as defined herein).

(e) Data Retention. The Company will use your Data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan or as required to comply with any and all legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax, exchange control, securities, and labor laws. When the Company no longer needs your Data, the Company will, to the extent feasible to do so, remove it from its systems in accordance with the Company’s Privacy Policy, it being understood per that policy that some Data may also be stored with third parties who host applications or perform tasks (e.g., payroll management) for the Company, the Employer, or its or/their respective Affiliates. The Company may keep some of your Data longer to satisfy internal compliance and recordkeeping procedures, accounting purposes, tax rules or regulations, specific record retention laws, and any other legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis for such use would be necessity to comply with legal obligations.


(f) Contractual Requirement. Your provision of Data and its processing as described above is a contractual requirement and a condition to your ability to participate in the Plan. You understand that, as a consequence of your refusing to provide Data, the Company may not be able to allow you to participate in the Plan, grant Options to you, or administer or maintain such Options. However, your participation in the Plan and your acceptance of the Option Agreement are purely voluntary. While you will not receive Options if you decide against participating in the Plan or providing Data as described above, your career and salary will not be affected in any way solely as a result of electing not to participate in the Plan.

(g) Data Subject Rights. You have a number of rights under data privacy laws in your country. Depending on where you are based, your rights may include the right to (i) request access or copies of your Data the Company processes, (ii) rectify incorrect Data and/or delete your Data, (iii) restrict processing of your Data, (iv) portability of your Data, (v) lodge complaints with the competent data protection authorities in your country and/or (vi) obtain a list with the names and addresses of any recipients of your Data. To receive clarification regarding your rights or to exercise your rights please contact the Company via the HRIS interface or by contacting in writing your local human resources representative on the People Team at people@avepoint.com.

2. INSIDER TRADING RESTRICTIONS/MARKET ABUSE LAWS. By participating in the Plan, you agree to comply with the Company’s policy on insider trading. You further acknowledge that, depending on your or your broker’s country of residence or where the shares of Common Stock are listed, you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions, which may affect your ability to directly or indirectly, accept, acquire, sell or attempt to sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock or rights to the shares of Common Stock (e.g., Options), or rights linked to the value of shares of Common Stock during such times as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company, as defined by the laws and/or regulations in applicable jurisdictions or your country. Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders placed by you before possessing the inside information. Furthermore, you may be prohibited from (i) disclosing inside information to any third party, including fellow employees (other than on a “need to know” basis) and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them to otherwise buy or sell securities. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable Company insider trading policy. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to comply with any applicable restrictions, and you should speak to your personal advisor on this matter.

3. LANGUAGE. You acknowledge that you are sufficiently proficient in English, or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow you to understand the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement. Furthermore, if you have received this Option Agreement, or any other document related to the Option and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.


4. FOREIGN ASSET/ACCOUNT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. You acknowledge that there may be certain foreign asset and/or account, exchange control, and/or tax reporting requirements which may affect your ability to acquire or hold shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan (including any proceeds arising from the sale of shares of Common Stock or the payment of any cash dividends on the shares of Common Stock) in a bank or brokerage account outside your country. The applicable laws of your country may require that you report such accounts, assets, the balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of participating in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. It is your responsibility to be compliant with such regulations and you should speak with your personal advisor on this matter.

5. ADDITIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND AGREEMENTS. In accepting this Option, you also acknowledge, understand and agree that:

(a) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted by the Plan;

(b) the grant of the Option is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted in the past;

(c) all decisions with respect to future option or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company;

(d) the Option grant and your participation in the Plan shall not create a right to employment or be interpreted as forming an employment or service contract with the Company, Employer, or any Affiliate, and shall not interfere with the ability of the Company, the Employer or any Affiliate, as applicable, to terminate you at any time;

(e) you are voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(f) the Option and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(g) The Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option, and the income from and value of same, are an extraordinary item of compensation outside the scope of your employment contract, if any, and is not to be considered part of your normal or expected compensation for any purpose, including, without limitation, calculating severance, resignation, redundancy, dismissal, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, holiday pay, leave-related payments, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

(h) the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;


(i) if the underlying shares of Common Stock do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;

(j) if you exercise the Option and acquire shares of Common Stock, the value of such shares of Common Stock may increase or decrease in value, even below the exercise price;

(k) unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Option and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Option, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, service you may provide as a director of an Affiliate;

(l) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option resulting from the termination of your Continuous Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or the terms of your employment agreement, if any);

(m) for purposes of the Option, your Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date you are no longer actively providing service (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are providing service or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise determined by the Company, your right to vest in the Option and the period (if any) during which you may exercise the Option after such termination of your service will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., your period of Continuous Service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are providing service or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any); the Plan Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when you are no longer actively providing Continuous Service for purposes of your Option grant (including whether you may still be considered to be providing Continuous Service while on a leave of absence);

(n) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Option and the benefits evidenced by this Option Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Option or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor to be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the shares of the Company;

(o) the Option and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose; and

(p) neither the Company, the Employer nor any Affiliate shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Option or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise.

6. NOT A PUBLIC OFFERING. The grant of the Option is not intended to be a public offering of securities in your country of residence (or country of service, if different). The Company has not submitted any registration statement, prospectus, or other filings with the local securities authorities (unless otherwise required under local law), and the grant of the Option is not subject to the supervision of the local securities authorities.


7. NO ADVICE REGARDING GRANT. The Company is not providing any tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding your participation in the Plan, or your acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. You are hereby advised to consult with your own personal tax, legal, and financial advisors regarding your participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS.

AUSTRALIA

Notifications

Tax Information. The Plan is a plan to which Subdivision 83A-C of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (Cth) (the “Act”) applies (subject to the conditions in that Act).

AUSTRIA

There are no country-specific provisions.

BELGIUM

Terms and Conditions

Accepting the Option. If you wish to accept the Option, you must execute and return the Option Grant Notice or electronically accept the Option in a form authorized by the Company after the 60th day after the date the Option is offered to you (which is the date on which the material terms of the Option were first communicated to you) (the “Offer Date”). Acceptance of the Option prior to the 61st day after the Offer Date will not be accepted or deemed valid.

CANADA

Terms and Conditions

Method of Exercise. Notwithstanding Sections 4(i), 4(j) and 7(b)(v) of the Plan or Section 2 of this Option Agreement, you are not permitted to pay the aggregate exercise price or any Tax-Related Items with previously-owned shares of Common Stock or by way of a “net exercise” arrangement. The Company reserves the right to permit these methods of payment depending upon the development of local law.

Termination of Employment. The following provision replaces Section 5(m) of this Appendix:


(m) For purposes of the Option, notwithstanding any provision of the Option Agreement to the contrary, the termination of your Continuous Service will occur as of the date you are no longer actually employed or otherwise rendering services to the Company or, if different, the Employer (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment or other laws or otherwise rendering services or the terms of your employment or other service agreement, if any). Unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement or extended by the Company, your right to vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date, and the period (if any) during which you may exercise the Option after termination will commence on such date (the “Termination Date”). The Termination Date will not be extended by any common law notice period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, if applicable employment standards legislation specifically requires continued entitlement to vesting during a statutory notice period, your right to vest in the Option under the Plan, if any will be allowed to continue for that minimum notice period but then immediately terminate effective as of the last day of the minimum statutory notice period. In the event the date you are no longer providing actual service cannot be reasonable determined under the terms of the Option Agreement and/or the Plan, the Plan Administrator or its delegate shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when you are no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Option (including whether you may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence). Unless the applicable employment standards legislation specifically requires, in your case, you will not earn or be entitled to any pro-rated vesting for that portion of time before the date on which your service relationship is terminated (as determined under this provision) nor will you be entitled to any compensation for lost vesting.

Notifications

Securities Law Information. You are permitted to sell shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan through such brokers designated under the Plan, provided that the resale of such Shares takes place outside Canada through the facilities of a stock exchange on which the shares of Common Stock are listed.

CHINA

Terms and Conditions

The following provisions apply to you if you are a People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) national:

Exercise of Option. The following provision supplements and modifies Sections 2 of the Stock Option Agreement.

Due to legal restrictions, the Option shall become exercisable by you only at such time as the shares of Common Stock of the Company are publicly traded, quoted or listed on a recognized exchange or securities market, are not subject to a market stand-off or lock-up agreement and all necessary exchange control and other approvals from the PRC State Administration of Foreign Exchange or its local counterpart (“SAFE”) have been received for Options granted under the Plan, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion (the “Liquidity Date”). Unless otherwise determined by the Company and/or Committee, to exercise the Option, you must pay the exercise price by a “cashless exercise” as described in Section 2(b)(ii) of the Stock Option Agreement, and the net cash proceeds from such exercise will be remitted to you in accordance with applicable exchange control law. In the event the shares of Common Stock of the Company are issued upon exercise of the Option, the Company has discretion to arrange for the sale of the shares of Common Stock issued, either immediately upon exercise or at any time thereafter and the Company may require you to hold such shares of Common Stock in a designated brokerage account. If the Company changes its Plan broker, you acknowledge and agree that the Company may transfer any shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to the new Plan broker if necessary for legal or administrative reasons. You agree to sign any documentation necessary to facilitate the transfer.


In the event your employment or Continuous Service with the Company or an Affiliate terminates after the Liquidity Date, all unvested Options will be forfeited and you must exercise any vested Options within such time as required by the Company’s SAFE approval (but in no event beyond the applicable time limit set forth in the Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement).

If or to the extent the Company is unable to obtain or maintain SAFE approval, the Option may not be exercised and no shares of Common Stock subject to the Options shall be issued.

Exchange Control Obligations. You understand and agree that you will be required to immediately repatriate to China the proceeds from the sale of any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan and any cash dividends paid on such shares of Common Stock. You further understand that such repatriation of proceeds may need to be effected through a special bank account established by the Company (or an Affiliate), and you hereby consent and agree that any sale proceeds and cash dividends may be transferred to such special account by the Company (or an Affiliate) on your behalf prior to being delivered to you and that no interest shall be paid with respect to funds held in such account.

The proceeds may be paid to you in U.S. dollars or local currency at the Company’s discretion. If the proceeds are paid to you in U.S. dollars, you understand that a U.S. dollar bank account in China must be established and maintained so that the proceeds may be deposited into such account. If the proceeds are paid to you in local currency, you acknowledge that the Company (or an Affiliate) are under no obligation to secure any particular exchange conversion rate and that the Company (or an Affiliate) may face delays in converting the proceeds to local currency due to exchange control restrictions. You agree to bear any currency fluctuation risk between the time the shares of Common Stock are sold and the net proceeds are converted into local currency and distributed to you. You further agree to comply with any other requirements that may be imposed by the Company (or an Affiliate) in the future in order to facilitate compliance with exchange control requirements in China.

FRANCE

Terms and Conditions

Type of Award. The Option is not granted under the French specific regime provided by Articles L. 225-177 and seq. of the French Commercial Code, as amended.

Consent to Receive Information in English. By accepting the Option, you confirm having read and understood the documents related to the Option (the Plan and the Option Agreement), which were provided in the English language. You accept the terms of these documents accordingly.


Consentement Relatif à l’Utilisation de la Langue Anglaise. En acceptant l’Option, vous confirme avoir lu et compris les documents relatifs à cette Option (le Plan et le Contrat) qui ont été remis en langue anglaise. Vous acceptez les termes de ces documents en conséquence.

GERMANY

There are no country-specific provisions.

ISRAEL

There are no country-specific provisions.

JAPAN

There are no country-specific provisions.

NETHERLANDS

There are no country-specific provisions.

SINGAPORE

Terms and Conditions

Restrictions on Sale and Transferability. You hereby agree that any shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the Option will not be offered for sale in Singapore, unless such sale or offer is made pursuant to the exemptions under Part XIII Division 1 Subdivision (4) (other than section 280) of the Securities and Futures Act (Chap. 289, 2006 Ed.) (“SFA”) or pursuant to, and in accordance with the condition of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Notifications

Securities Law Notification. The grant of the Option is being made pursuant to the “Qualifying Person” exemption” under section 273(1)(f) of the SFA, on which basis it is exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements under the SFA and is not made to you with a view to the Option or the underlying shares of Common Stock being subsequently offered for sale to any other party. The Plan has not been and will not be lodged or registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

SWEDEN

Terms and Conditions

Authorization to Withhold. The following provision supplements Section 4 of the Stock Option Agreement:

Without limiting the Company’s and the Employer’s authority to satisfy their withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items as set forth in Section 4 of this Option Agreement, in participating in the Plan, you authorize the Company and/or the Employer to withhold shares of Common Stock or to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to you upon purchase to satisfy any Tax-Related Items, regardless of whether the Company and/or the Employer have an obligation to withhold such amounts.


SWITZERLAND

Notifications

Securities Law Notification. Neither this document nor any other materials relating to the Option (i) constitutes a prospectus according to articles 35 et seq. of the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services (“FinSA”), (ii) may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland to any person other than an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) has been or will be filed with, approved or supervised by any Swiss reviewing body according to article 51 FinSA or any Swiss regulatory authority, including the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority.

UNITED KINGDOM

Terms and Conditions

Responsibility for Tax-Related Items. The following provision supplements Section 4 of the Stock Option Agreement:

Without limitation to Section 4 of this Option Agreement, you agree that you are liable for all Tax-Related Items and hereby covenant to pay all such Tax-Related Items, as and when requested by the Company or the Employer or by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (“HMRC”) (or any other tax authority or any other relevant authority). You also hereby agree to indemnify and keep indemnified the Company and the Employer against any Tax-Related Items that they are required to pay or withhold or have paid or will pay on your behalf to HMRC (or any other tax authority or any other relevant authority).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a director or executive officer of the Company (within the meaning of Section 13(k) of the Exchange Act), you understand that you may not be able to indemnify the Company for the amount of any income tax not collected from or paid by you, in case the indemnification could be considered a loan. In this case, the income tax not collected or paid may constitute a benefit to you on which additional income tax and National Insurance contributions (“NICs”) may be payable. You acknowledge that you ultimately will be responsible for reporting and paying any income tax due on this additional benefit directly to HMRC under the self-assessment regime and for paying the Company or the Employer (as applicable) the amount of any employee NICs due on this additional benefit, which the Company and/or the Employer may recover from you at any time thereafter by any of the means referred to in Section 4 of the Stock Option Agreement.


ATTACHMENT II

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


ATTACHMENT III

AVEPOINT, INC.

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

(2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

 

AVEPOINT, INC.

525 WASHINGTON BLVD, SUITE 1400

JERSEY CITY, NJ 07310

     

 

 

 

Date of Exercise: _______________

This constitutes notice to AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”) that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) by exercising my Option for the price set forth below. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Notice of Exercise but defined in the Stock Option Grant Notice, Stock Option Agreement or 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) shall have the meanings set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice, Stock Option Agreement or Plan, as applicable. Use of certain payment methods is subject to Company and/or Committee consent and certain additional requirements set forth in the Stock Option Agreement and the Plan.

 

Type of option (check one):    Statutory ☐       Non-statutory

Date of Grant:

        
  

 

Number of Shares as

to which Option is

exercised:

        
  

 

Certificates to be

issued in name of:

        
  

 

Total Exercise Price:

   US$___________       US$___________

Cash, check, bank draft or money order delivered herewith:

   US$___________       US$___________

Value of ________ Shares delivered herewith:

   US$___________       US$___________

Regulation T Program (cashless exercise)

   US$__________       US$__________

Value of _______ Shares pursuant to net exercise:

   US$__________       US$__________


By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the Plan and (ii) to satisfy the Tax-Related Items, if any, relating to the exercise of this Option as set forth in the Stock Option Agreement, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an Incentive Stock Option, to notify the Company in writing within fifteen (15) days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your Option that occurs within two (2) years after the date of your Option grant or within one (1) year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your Option.[.]

 

Very truly yours,

 

Exhibit 10.14

EXECUTION FORM

AVEPOINT, INC.

RSU AWARD GRANT NOTICE

(2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded to you (the “Participant”) the number of restricted stock units specified and on the terms set forth below in consideration of your services (the “RSU Award”). Your RSU Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Agreement.

 

Participant:  

 

Date of Grant:  

 

Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

Number of Restricted Stock Units:  

 

 

Vesting Schedule:   
   [__________________________________________________________________]. Notwithstanding the foregoing, vesting shall terminate upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

Issuance Schedule:    One share of Common Stock will be issued for each restricted stock unit which vests at the time set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement.

Participant Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

 

The RSU Award is governed by this RSU Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”), and the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement (together, the “RSU Award Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

 

You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the RSU Award Agreement and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in the RSU Award Agreement, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

 

The RSU Award Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of: (i) other equity awards previously granted to you, and (ii) any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this RSU Award.


EXECUTION FORM

 

AVEPOINT, INC.    PARTICIPANT:
By:  

                         

  

                         

  Signature      Signature
Title:  

 

   Date:  

 

Date:  

 

    

ATTACHMENTS: RSU Award Agreement, 2021 Equity Incentive Plan

 

1


AVEPOINT, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

AWARD AGREEMENT (RSU AWARD)

As reflected by your Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), AvePoint, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a RSU Award under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of restricted stock units as indicated in your Grant Notice (the “RSU Award”). The terms of your RSU Award as specified in this Award Agreement for your RSU Award (the “Agreement”) and the Grant Notice constitute your “RSU Award Agreement”. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable.

The general terms applicable to your RSU Award are as follows:

1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your RSU Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:

(a) Section 6 of the Plan regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your RSU Award;

(b) Section 9(e) of the Plan regarding the Company’s retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the RSU Award; and

(c) Section 8(c) of the Plan regarding the tax consequences of your RSU Award.

Your RSU Award is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the RSU Award Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

2. GRANT OF THE RSU AWARD. This RSU Award represents your right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice as modified to reflect any Capitalization Adjustment and subject to your satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth therein (the “Restricted Stock Units”). Any additional Restricted Stock Units that become subject to the RSU Award pursuant to Capitalization Adjustments as set forth in the Plan and the provisions of Section 3 below, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award.

 

1.


3. DIVIDENDS. You shall receive no benefit or adjustment to your RSU Award with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution that does not result from a Capitalization Adjustment as provided in the Plan; provided, however, that this sentence shall not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to you in connection with your RSU Award after such shares have been delivered to you.

4. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise in connection with your RSU Award (the “Withholding Obligation”) in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock in respect of the RSU Award. In the event the Withholding Obligation of the Company arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

5. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Stock Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation, if any, in the event one or more Restricted Stock Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above, and subject to any different provisions in the Grant Notice). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an “Original Issuance Date.”

(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day. In addition, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company’s policies (a “10b5-1 Arrangement)), and

(ii) either (1) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, and (B) not to permit you to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation in cash,

 

2.


then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this Award are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

(c) To the extent the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt RSU Award, the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan shall apply.

6. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, your RSU Award is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution

7. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your RSU Award is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

8. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the RSU Award, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the RSU Award or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the RSU Award and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

9. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

10. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.

11. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your RSU Award, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.

 

3.

Exhibit 10.21

Execution Version

LIMITED CONSENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

LIMITED CONSENT AND FIRST AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2021 (this “Amendment”), among AVEPOINT OPERATIONS, INC. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (“Original Borrower”), APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP. (“Holdings”), the other guarantors party hereto, and HSBC VENTURES USA INC. (together with its successors and assigns, “Bank”).

WHEREAS, the Loan Parties and Bank are party to that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of April 7, 2020 (as in effect immediately prior to the date hereof, the “Existing Agreement”, and as the Existing Agreement shall be further amended, restated, modified or supplemented from time to time, including by this Amendment, the “Agreement”), providing for extensions of credit to be made by Bank to Borrower from time to time;

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of November 23, 2020 (the “Original Combination Agreement”), as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of December 30, 2020 and that certain Amendment No. 2 to Business Combination Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as March 8, 2021 (the “Combination Agreement Amendment”; the Original Combination Agreement as amended by the Combination Agreement Amendment being referred to herein collectively as the “Combination Agreement”), by and among Original Borrower, Holdings, Athena Technology Merger Sub, Inc. (“First Merger Sub”) and Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC (“Second Merger Sub”), Holdings and Original Borrower will enter into a business combination pursuant to which (a) First Merger Sub will merge with and into Original Borrower, with Original Borrower as the surviving corporation (the “First Merger”), (b) following the First Merger, Original Borrower will merge with and into Second Merger Sub, with Second Merger Sub as the surviving corporation as a wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings and with the name AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC) (“New Borrower”), and (c) Holdings will change its name to AvePoint, Inc. (such transactions collectively being referred to herein as the “Combination” and the date of the closing of such transactions being referred to herein as the “Combination Effective Date”);

WHEREAS, Original Borrower has requested that Bank consent to (a) the Combination, (b) the assumption by the New Borrower of all obligations of the Original Borrower under the Agreement pursuant to that certain Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated as of the date hereof, and (c) the amendment of the Existing Agreement as provided herein;

WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions herein, Bank has agreed to consent to the Combination and amend the Existing Agreement as set forth herein; and

WHEREAS, Holdings has agreed to provide a limited guaranty with respect to the Obligations of the New Borrower and the other Loan Parties and grant to Bank a continuing security interest in 100% of its equity ownership interests in New Borrower upon the consummation of the Combination.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

Section 1. Definitions. Except as otherwise expressly defined herein, terms defined in the Existing Agreement are used herein as defined therein.


Section 2. Limited Consent.

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4(a) hereof, Bank hereby consents to the Combination, the Assignment and Assumption Agreement, and all other actions taken by or necessary or permissible to be taken by Holdings or the Loan Parties related thereto, whether occurring prior to, on, or after the Combination Effective Date.

(b) The parties hereto agree that the limited consent set forth in Section 2(a) hereof shall be limited precisely as written and, except as expressly set forth therein, shall not be deemed to be a consent to or amendment, waiver or modification of any other term or condition of the Existing Agreement or any other Loan Document or a consent to any other transaction.

Section 3. Amendment. Subject to the satisfaction of the terms and conditions set forth in Section 4, the Existing Agreement and the Schedules attached thereto shall be amended as set forth in the pages of the Existing Agreement attached as Annex A hereto such that all of the deleted text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: stricken text) shall be deemed to be deleted from the text of the Existing Agreement and all of the newly inserted bold, double-underlined text (indicated textually in the same manner as the following example: double-underlined text) and any formatting changes reflected therein shall be deemed to be inserted and reflected in the text of the Existing Agreement.

Section 4. Conditions Precedent.

(a) The limited consent set forth in Section 2 hereof shall become effective upon satisfaction of the following conditions:

(i) Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank:

(1) a duly executed copy of this Amendment; and

(2) a duly executed copy of the Original Combination Agreement and the Combination Agreement Amendment, together with all exhibits, annexes and schedules thereto.

(ii) The Loan Parties shall have paid all fees, costs and expenses due, payable and invoiced under this Amendment, the Existing Agreement and the other Loan Documents on the date hereof.

(iii) Bank shall have received such other documents or agreements as Bank may reasonably request in accordance with Section 6.11 of the Agreement.

(iv)(x) The representations and warranties contained herein, in the Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of such date, and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(b)

The amendments set forth in Section 3 hereof shall become effective upon satisfaction of the following conditions:

(i) Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank:

(1) evidence that the Combination shall have occurred in accordance with the terms and provisions of the Combination Agreement, which shall not have been amended since the date of this Amendment;

 

2


(2) a duly executed copy of the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Combination Effective Date, by and between Holdings and Bank;

(3) a duly executed copy of the Limited Guaranty, dated as of the Combination Effective Date, by Holdings in favor of Bank;

(4) a duly executed legal opinion of Holdings’ and Second Merger Sub’s counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank, dated as of the Combination Effective Date;

(5) a duly executed Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Annex B hereto;

(6) an officer’s certificate of Holdings and Second Merger Sub with respect to incumbency and resolutions authorizing the execution and delivery of each Loan Document to which it is a party, and certifying as to true, correct and complete attached copies of the Operating Documents and good standing certificates of Holdings and Second Merger Sub certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of Holdings’ and Second Merger Sub’s jurisdiction of organization or formation, each as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Combination Effective Date;

(7) proper financing statements (i) naming Holdings as debtor solely with respect to its equity ownership interests in Borrower upon the consummation of the Combination, and (ii) naming and Second Merger Sub as debtor, each in form appropriate for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that Bank may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created under the Agreement, covering the Collateral described therein;

(8) evidence satisfactory to Bank that the insurance policies required by Section 6.5 of the Agreement are in full force and effect;

(9) [reserved];

(10) copies of the (A) documentation and other information requested by Bank in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, in each case at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof and (B) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the date hereof, if Holdings qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification; and

(11) such other documents or certificates, and completion of such other matters, as Bank may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate.

(ii) (x) The representations and warranties contained herein, in the Agreement and in each other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Combination Effective Date, and (y) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

3


(iii) The Loan Parties shall have paid all fees, costs and expenses due, payable and invoiced under this Amendment, the Existing Agreement and the other Loan Documents on the Combination Effective Date.

(iv) Bank shall have received such other documents or agreements as Bank may reasonably request in accordance with Section 6.11 of the Agreement.

Section 5. Representations and Warranties. Holdings, as of the Combination Effective Date, and each Loan Party, as of the date hereof and as of the Combination Effective Date, represents and warrants to Bank, both immediately prior to and after giving effect to the limited consent set forth in Section 2 hereof and/or the amendments set forth in Section 3 hereof, on the applicable date, that:

(a) the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party or Holdings of this Amendment are within such Loan Party’s or Holdings’ powers, have been duly authorized, and (i) are not in conflict with nor constitute a breach of any provision contained in such Loan Party’s or Holdings’ Operating Documents, (ii) do not contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material requirement of applicable law, (iii) do not contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority in the United States by which Holdings or any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets may be bound or affected, (iv) do not require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or approval from, any Governmental Authority in the United States (except such approvals which have already been obtained and are in full force and effect), and (v) do not constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which such Loan Party or Holdings is bound;

(b) neither Holdings nor Loan Party is in default under any agreement by which it is bound, except to the extent such default would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) this Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Holdings and each Loan Party. This Amendment constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Holdings and such Loan Party, enforceable against Holdings and such Loan Party in accordance with its terms;

(d) the representations and warranties of Holdings and each Loan Party contained in the Agreement and in any other Loan Document are (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, true and correct (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, are true and correct in all material respects (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date), and the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.7(c) of the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Section 6.2(a)(ii) of the Agreement; and

(e) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 6. Ratification. Each Loan Party hereby ratifies and reaffirms the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted and pledged by such Loan Party pursuant to the Agreement to Bank as collateral security for the Obligations, and acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore granted, pledged or otherwise created as security for the Obligations continue to be and remain collateral security for the Obligations from and after the date hereof. Each Loan Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that the Agreement and all other Loan Documents remain and, upon Holdings providing its limited guaranty on the Combination Effective Date, shall continue to be, in full force and effect, and each Loan Party confirms and ratifies all of its Obligations thereunder.

 

 

4


Section 7. Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Amendment shall be deemed to constitute an amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Agreement nor shall anything contained herein be deemed to imply any willingness of Bank to agree to, or otherwise prejudice any rights of Bank with respect to, any similar amendments, consents, waivers or agreements that may be requested for any future period, and this Amendment shall not be construed as a waiver of any other provision of the Loan Documents or to permit any Loan Party to take any other action which is prohibited by the terms of the Agreement or the other Loan Documents. Each reference in the Agreement or any other Loan Document to this “Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof”, or words of like import referring to the Agreement or any other Loan Document shall mean and refer to such agreement as supplemented by this Amendment. This Amendment is a Loan Document. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. This Amendment and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating thereto and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in this Amendment or any other document executed in connection herewith 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 and 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, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

Section 8. Post-Closing Covenant. Within 30 days of the Combination Effective Date (which date may be extended by express written consent (which may be e-mail) of Bank in its sole discretion, the “Post-closing Deadline”), the Loan Parties shall deliver to Bank, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, current SOS Reports for Holdings, each Loan Party, First Merger Sub and Second Merger Sub in indicating that except for Permitted Liens, there are no other security interests or Liens of record in the Collateral. If the Loan Parties fail to deliver such SOS Reports by the Post-closing Deadline, such failure to deliver shall be an immediate Event of Default as of such Post-closing Deadline.

[signature pages follow]

 

5


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

 

LOAN PARTIES
AVEPOINT OPERATIONS, INC. (f/k/a AVEPOINT, INC.)

By: /s/ Brian Michael Brown

  Name: Brian Michael Brown
  Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
AVEPOINT PUBLIC SECTOR, INC.

By: /s/ Brian Michael Brown

  Name: Brian Michael Brown
  Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
AVEPOINT HOLDINGS USA, LLC
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

  Name: Brian Michael Brown
  Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
HOLDINGS
APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Je Epstein

  Name: Je Epstein
  Title: Co-CEO

 

Signature Page to HSBC/AvePoint Limited Consent and First Amendment


BANK
HSBC VENTURES USA INC.
By:  

/s/ Prasant Chunduru

  Name: Prasant Chunduru
  Title: SVP, Head of Venture Debt

 

Signature Page to HSBC/AvePoint Limited Consent and First Amendment

INTERNAL


ANNEX A

Amended Loan and Security Agreement

[See attached.]


Execution VersionAnnex A

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

This LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of April 7, 2020, by and among HSBC Ventures USA Inc. (together with its successors and assigns, “Bank”), AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC, and successor by merger to AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), Borrower”), and each of the Guarantors (as defined below) party hereto from time to time.

RECITALS

Borrower wishes to obtain credit from time to time from Bank, and Bank desires to extend credit to Borrower. This Agreement sets forth the terms on which Bank will advance credit to Borrower, and Borrower will repay the amounts owing to Bank.

AGREEMENT

The parties agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, all capitalized terms shall have the definitions set forth on Exhibit A. Any term used in the Code and not defined herein shall have the meaning given to the term in the Code.

1.2 Accounting Terms. Any accounting term not specifically defined on Exhibit A shall be construed in accordance with GAAP and all calculations shall be made in accordance with GAAP. The term “financial statements” shall include the accompanying notes and schedules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, operating and capital leases will be treated in a manner consistent with their treatment under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2017, notwithstanding any modifications or interpretive changes thereto that have occurred thereafter.

2. LOAN AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

2.1 Credit Extensions.

(a) Promise to Pay. Borrower promises to pay to Bank, in lawful money of the United States of America, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Credit Extensions made by Bank or any of its Affiliates to Borrower, together with interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Credit Extensions at rates in accordance with the terms hereof.

(b) Advances under Revolving Line.

 

1


(i) Amount. Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement Borrower may request Advances in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed the Availability Amount. Amounts borrowed pursuant to this Section 2.1(b) may be repaid and reborrowed at any time without penalty or premium prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, at which time all Advances under this Section 2.1(b) shall be immediately due and payable.

(ii) Form of Request; LIBOR Rate Advances.

(1) Whenever Borrower desires an Advance, Borrower will notify Bank by email no later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, two (2) Business Days prior to the date that the Advance is to be made. Each such notification shall be promptly confirmed by a Payment/Advance Form in substantially the form of Exhibit C (a “Payment/Advance Form”). Bank is authorized to make Advances under this Agreement, based upon instructions received from a Responsible Officer or a designee of a Responsible Officer, or without instructions if in Bank’s discretion such Advances are necessary to meet Obligations which have become due and remain unpaid. Bank shall be entitled to rely on any email notice given by a person who Bank reasonably believes to be a Responsible Officer or a designee thereof, and Borrower shall indemnify and hold Bank harmless for any damages or loss suffered by Bank as a result of such reliance. Bank will credit the amount of Advances made under this Section 2.1(b) to an account, and pursuant to wire instructions, designated in writing by Borrower to Bank.

(2) Borrower may select a separate LIBOR Interest Period for up to five (5) different LIBOR Rate Advances (each of which LIBOR Rate Advances must be in the minimum amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or, if greater, in an integral multiple of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00)), provided that such selection is otherwise made in strict compliance with the terms of this Agreement. If Borrower fails to deliver a timely notice with respect to an outstanding LIBOR Rate Advance prior to the end of the LIBOR Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Advance is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such LIBOR Interest Period such Advance shall be continued as a LIBOR Rate Advance with a LIBOR Interest Period of one (1) month.

(c) Increase in Revolving Line. At any time after August 31, 2020, Borrower may, one time during the term of this Agreement, request an increase in the Revolving Line upon written notice to Bank, as long as (i) the requested increase is in a minimum amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or, if greater, in an integral multiple of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) and is offered on the same terms as the existing Revolving Line, except for a closing fee mutually agreed between Bank and Borrower, it being understood that such closing fee shall not be in excess of an amount equal to 1% of the aggregate amount of such increase in the Revolving Line, and (ii) total increases under this Section do not exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00). Provided the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are satisfied and Bank agrees to such increase request, the Revolving Line shall be increased by the requested amount on a date agreed upon by Bank and Borrower. Bank and Borrower shall execute and deliver such documents and agreements as Bank deems appropriate to evidence the increase in the Revolving Line, it being understood that such documents and agreements shall be no more restrictive to Borrower than the terms set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.

 

2


2.2 Prepayments.

(a) Mandatory Prepayments. If the Total Outstandings exceed the Revolving Line at any time, Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank, in cash, the amount of such excess.

(b) Optional Prepayments. Borrower may, upon notice to Bank, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Advances in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (i) such notice must be in a form acceptable to Bank and be received by Bank not later than 11:00 a.m., three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment; and (ii) any prepayment shall be in a principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the LIBOR Interest Period of such Advances. If such notice is given by Borrower, Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of an Advance shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.6(a).

2.3 Interest Rates, Payments, and Calculations.

(a) Interest Rates. Except as set forth in Section 2.3(b), the Advances shall bear interest, on the outstanding daily balance thereof, at a rate equal to the LIBOR-Based Rate plus three and one-half percent (3.50%) (each such Advance, a “LIBOR Rate Advance”). Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event any Advances accrue interest at a floating per annum rate equal to the Prime Rate as a result of any of the events described in Section 2.6 or otherwise, such Advances shall bear interest, on the outstanding daily balance thereof, at a rate equal to the Prime Rate plus two and one-half percent (2.50%).

(b) Default Rate. All Obligations shall bear interest, from and after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, at a rate equal to two and one-half (2.5) percentage points above the interest rate applicable immediately prior to the occurrence of the Event of Default (the “Default Rate”). Fees and expenses which are required to be paid by Borrower pursuant to the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Bank Expenses) but are not paid when due shall bear interest until paid at a rate equal to the highest rate applicable to the Obligations inclusive of the Default Rate. Payment or acceptance of the increased interest rate provided in this Section 2.3(b) 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 Bank.

(c) Payments. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable on each Interest Payment Date. Bank shall, at its option, charge such interest, all Bank Expenses, and all Periodic Payments against any of Borrower’s deposit accounts or against the Revolving Line, in which case those amounts shall thereafter accrue interest at the rate then applicable for the Advances. Any interest not paid when due shall be compounded by becoming a part of the Obligations, and such interest shall thereafter accrue interest at the rate then applicable for the Advances. All payments shall be free and clear of any taxes, withholdings, duties, impositions or other charges, to the end that Bank will receive the entire amount of any Obligations payable hereunder, regardless of source of payment.

 

3


(d) Computation. With respect to Obligations bearing interest at the Prime Rate, in the event the Prime Rate is changed from time to time hereafter, the applicable rate of interest hereunder shall be increased or decreased, effective as of the day the Prime Rate is changed, by an amount equal to such change in the Prime Rate. All interest chargeable under the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty (360) day year for the actual number of days elapsed, except that interest computed by reference to the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

2.4 Crediting Payments. While no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Bank shall credit a wire transfer of funds, check or other item of payment to such deposit account or Obligation as Borrower specifies. After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Bank shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to immediately apply any wire transfer of funds, check, or other item of payment Bank may receive to conditionally reduce Obligations, but such applications of funds shall not be considered a payment on account unless such payment is of immediately available federal funds or unless and until such check or other item of payment is honored when presented for payment.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any wire transfer or payment received by Bank after 12:00 noon New York time shall be deemed to have been received by Bank as of the opening of business on the immediately following Business Day. Whenever any payment to Bank under the Loan Documents would otherwise be due (except by reason of acceleration) on a date that is not a Business Day, such payment shall instead be due on the next Business Day, and additional fees or interest, as the case may be, shall accrue and be payable for the period of such extension. Bank may, with the prior written consent of Borrower, debit any of Borrower’s deposit accounts for principal and interest payments or any other amounts Borrower owes Bank when due.

2.5 Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank the following:

(a) Facility Fee. A fee equal to Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00), which shall be fully-earned and nonrefundable on the Closing Date. A portion of such fee in an amount equal to One Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($120,000) shall be payable on the Closing Date and the remaining portion of such fee in an amount equal to One Hundred Eighty Thousand Dollars ($180,000) shall be payable on September 1, 2020;

(b) Unused Facility Fee. A quarterly unused facility fee equal to one half of one percent (0.50%) per annum of the daily Availability Amount during the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the date on which the Revolving Line terminates, computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days elapsed, and which fee shall be (i) payable on the first Business Day of each quarter (commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2020), (ii) fully-earned and nonrefundable, and (iii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears; and

 

4


(c) Bank Expenses. On the Closing Date, all Bank Expenses incurred through the Closing Date (other than attorneys’ fees and expenses of outside counsel incurred prior to April 3, 2020 in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents, which shall be paid promptly after the Closing Date), and, after the Closing Date, all Bank Expenses, including, without limitation, all attorneys’ fees and expenses of outside counsel incurred on and after April 3, 2020 in connection with the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents, as and when they become due.

(d) Fees Fully Earned. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or in a separate writing by Bank, Borrower shall not be entitled to any credit, rebate, or repayment of any fees earned by Bank pursuant to this Agreement notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement or the suspension or termination of Bank’s obligation to make Advances hereunder. Bank may, with the prior written consent of Borrower, deduct amounts owing by Borrower under the clauses of this Section 2.5 pursuant to the terms of Section 2.4.

2.6 Additional Provisions Regarding LIBOR Rate Advances.

(a) Compensation for Losses. In the event that (i) any payment of a LIBOR Rate Advance is required, made or permitted on a date other than the last day of the then current LIBOR Interest Period applicable thereto (including upon demand by Bank), (ii) the conversion of any LIBOR Rate Advance other than on the last day of the LIBOR Interest Period applicable thereto, or (iii) the failure to convert, continue, borrow or prepay any LIBOR Rate Advance on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto, then, in any such event, Borrower shall compensate Bank for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event in an amount computed as follows: the excess, if any, of (1) the amount of interest that would have accrued on the principal amount of such LIBOR Rate Advance had such event not occurred, at the interest rate that would have been applicable to such LIBOR Rate Advance, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current LIBOR Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the LIBOR Interest Period for such LIBOR Rate Advance), over (2) the amount of interest that would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate with Bank (or an Affiliate of Bank) would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of the interest period, for U.S. Dollar deposits of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the London interbank eurodollar market. A certificate of Bank delivered to Borrower and setting forth any amount or amounts that Bank is entitled to receive pursuant to this paragraph shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay Bank the amount shown as due on any such certificate upon demand.

(b) Increased Costs.

(i) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(1) 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, Bank;

 

5


(2) subject Bank to any taxes (other than Indemnified Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

(3) impose on Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than taxes) affecting this Agreement or Advances made by Bank;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to Bank of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Advance or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Advance, or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of Bank, Borrower will pay to Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Bank for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(ii) Capital Requirements. If Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting Bank or any lending office of Bank or Bank’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Bank’s capital or on the capital of Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the commitments of Bank hereunder to make Advances, the Advances made by Bank, to a level below that which Bank or Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration Bank’s policies and the policies of Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrower will pay to Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Bank or Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(iii) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (i) or (ii) of this Section and delivered to Borrower, shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(iv) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that Bank notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of Bank’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 six (6)-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(c) Inability to Determine Rates. If, on or prior to the first day of any LIBOR Interest Period, Bank reasonably determines that, (1) by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank eurodollar market, the LIBOR-Based Rate cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof, (2) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and LIBOR Interest Period of the

 

6


applicable Advance, or (3) the LIBOR-Based Rate for any requested LIBOR Interest Period with respect to a proposed Advance does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Bank of funding such Advance, Bank will promptly so notify Borrower. Thereafter, the obligation of Bank to make or maintain Advances with an interest rate based on the LIBOR-Based Rate shall be suspended until Bank revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower may revoke any pending request for an Advance or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for an Advance with an interest rate based on the Prime Rate in the amount specified therein.

(d) Effect of Benchmark Transition Event.

(i) Benchmark Replacement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence ofif a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, Bank may amendand its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then, (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, in connection with a Benchmark Transition Event, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement to replace LIBOR withor any other Loan Document and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment will become effective is determined in accordance with clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date or in connection with an Early Opt-in Election, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the tenthfifth (105th) Business Day after Bank hasthe date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided such proposed amendment to Borrower without any amendment to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or further action or consent of Borrower, so long as Bank has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Borrower. No replacement of LIBOR with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.6(d) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Datefrom Borrower.

(ii) Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Bank 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 Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of Borrower.

(iii) Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Bank will promptly notify Borrower of (1) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date and Benchmark Transition Start Date, (2) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (3) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes and, (4) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (iv) below and (5) the

 

7


commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Bank pursuant to this Section 2.6(d), 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 or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in Bank’sits sole discretion and without consent from Borrower, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.6(d).

(iv) Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (1) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including Term SOFR or USD LIBOR) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Bank in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then Bank may modify the definition of “LIBOR Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (2) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (1) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then Bank may modify the definition of “LIBOR Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(v) (iv) Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, Borrower may revoke any request for a LIBOR Rate Advance or a conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Advances to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for, or a conversion to, an Advance with an interest rate based on the Prime Rate. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Prime Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Prime Rate.

(e) Illegality. If Bank reasonably determines that any law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for Bank or its applicable lending office to make, maintain, or fund Advances the interest rate of which is determined by reference to the LIBOR-Based Rate, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the LIBOR-Based Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of Bank to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, upon notice thereof by Bank to Borrower, any obligation of Bank to make or continue such Advances shall be suspended until Bank notifies Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, Borrower shall, upon demand from Bank, prepay or, if applicable, convert all Advances to Advances with an interest rate based upon the Prime Rate, either on the last day of the LIBOR Interest Period therefor, if Bank may lawfully continue to maintain such Advances to such day, or immediately, if Bank may not lawfully continue to maintain such Advances. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.6(a).

 

8


2.7 Term; Reduction of Revolving Line.

(a) This Agreement shall become effective on the Closing Date and, subject to Section 12.8, shall continue in full force and effect for so long as any Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) remain outstanding or Bank has any obligation to make Credit Extensions under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank shall have the right to terminate its obligation to make Credit Extensions under this Agreement immediately and without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

(b) Borrower may, at any time, reduce or terminate the Revolving Line; provided, that each partial reduction of the Revolving Line shall be in a minimum amount of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or in an integral multiple of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in excess thereof. Borrower shall notify Bank of any election to reduce or terminate the Revolving Line at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such reduction or termination, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. In furtherance of the foregoing, subject to Section 12.8, Borrower may terminate this Agreement at any time, without premium or penalty, and provided all Obligations have been paid in full (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank). Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Line if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Line. Any reductions of the Revolving Line shall be permanent.

2.8 Taxes.

(a) Any and all payments by the Loan Parties under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law requires the deduction or withholding of any tax from any such payment by Bank, then Bank 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 imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document (an “Indemnified Tax”), then the sum payable by such Loan 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), Bank receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made. For the avoidance of doubt, Indemnified Taxes shall not include Excluded Taxes.

 

9


(b) Each Loan Party hereby indemnifies Bank, within ten (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 Bank or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to Bank and any penalties, interest and 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. Promptly upon having knowledge that any such Indemnified Taxes have been levied, imposed or assessed, and promptly upon notice by Bank, the Loan Parties shall pay such Indemnified Taxes directly to the relevant taxing authority or governmental authority; provided that Bank shall not be under any obligation to provide any such notice to any Loan Party. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Loan Party by Bank shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

3. CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS.

3.1 Conditions Precedent to Closing. The effectiveness of this Agreement (the “Closing”) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, the following:

(i) a duly executed copy of this Agreement;

(ii) a duly executed copy of the Pledge Agreement;

(iii) a duly executed copy of the Guaranty;

(iv) an officer’s certificate of each Loan Party with respect to incumbency and resolutions authorizing the execution and delivery of each Loan Document to which it is a party, and certifying as to true, correct and complete attached copies of the Operating Documents and good standing certificates of such Loan Party certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or formation, each (other than in the case of the certified articles of organization or articles of incorporation, as applicable, for each Guarantor) as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date;

(v) proper financing statements in form appropriate for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code of all jurisdictions that Bank may deem necessary or desirable in order to perfect the Liens created hereunder, covering the Collateral described herein;

(vi) evidence satisfactory to Bank that the insurance policies required by Section 6.5 hereof are in full force and effect;

(vii) payment of the fees and Bank Expenses then due specified in Section 2.5;

 

10


(viii) current SOS Reports from the Secretaries of State of each Loan Party State indicating that except for Permitted Liens, there are no other security interests or Liens of record in the Collateral;

(ix) a current Compliance Certificate in accordance with Section 6.2;

(x) a duly executed copy of the Perfection Certificate;

(xi) copies of the (A) documentation and other information requested by Bank in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the Patriot Act, in each case at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date and (B) at least three (3) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, if Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification;

(xii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Section 3.1(c) have been satisfied and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since December 31, 2018 that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(xiii) a certificate from Borrower’s chief financial officer or senior vice president of finance attesting that the Loan Parties, on a consolidated basis and taken as a whole, are Solvent as of the Closing Date;

(xiv) evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents (as defined therein) have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, terminated and all Liens securing obligations thereunder have been, or concurrently with the Closing Date are being, released; and

(xv) (i) a pro forma balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder, (ii) audited financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as described in Section 6.2(a)(ii) for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2018, and (iii) projections for each of the fiscal years during the term of this Agreement as described in Section 6.2(a)(vi) and, in the case of the projections for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, approved by Borrower’s Board of Directors;

(b) Bank shall have completed a due diligence investigation of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in scope, and with results, satisfactory to Bank, and shall have been given such access to the management, records, books of account, contracts and properties of Borrower and its Subsidiaries and shall have received such financial, business and other information regarding each of the foregoing Persons and businesses as Bank shall have requested;

 

11


(c) (i) the representations and warranties contained herein and in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all respects on and as of the Closing Date, and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and

(d) such other documents or certificates, and completion of such other matters, as Bank may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate.

3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of Bank to make each Credit Extension, including the initial Credit Extension, is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) solely in the case of the initialfirst Credit Extension occurring after July 1, 2021, Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, the following:

(i) good standing certificates of such Loan Party certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of each jurisdiction in which such Loan Party is qualified to conduct business except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;(ii) current SOS Reports for Holdings, each Loan Party, Athena Technology Merger Sub, Inc. and Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC indicating that except for Permitted Liens, there are no other security interests or Liens of record in the Collateral;

(iii) an executed legal opinion of the Loan Parties’ counsel dated as of the date of such initial Credit Extension;

(iv) a certificate from Borrower’s chief financial officer or senior vice president of finance attesting that the Loan Parties, on a consolidated basis and taken as a whole, are Solvent both before and after giving effect to such initial Credit Extension;

(v) lender loss payable and/or additional insured and notice of cancellation clauses or endorsements in favor of Bank in respect of the insurance policies required by Section 6.5 hereof;

(vi) an officer’s certificate of each Guarantor certifying as to a true, correct and complete attached copy of such Guarantor’s articles of organization or articles of incorporation, as applicable, certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or formation, as of a date no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the date of such initial Credit Extension;

(vii) payment of the fees and Bank Expenses then due specified in Section 2.5; and

(viii) a Lessor’s Acknowledgment and Subordination with respect to Borrower’s leased location for its offices located at 525 Washington Blvd., 14th Floor, Jersey City, NJ and Riverfront Plaza West, 901 East Byrd Street, 9th Floor, Richmond, VA;

 

12


(b) timely receipt by Bank of the Payment/Advance Form as provided in Section 2.1; and

(c) (i) the representations and warranties contained herein and in any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Payment/Advance Form and on the effective date of each Credit Extension as though made at and as of each such date (provided, however, that (x) any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof and (y) those representations and warranties expressly referring to another date shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of such date), and (ii) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or would exist after giving effect to such Credit Extension. The making of each Credit Extension shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by Borrower on the date of such Credit Extension as to the accuracy of the facts referred to in this Section 3.2(c).

4. CREATION OF SECURITY INTEREST.

4.1  Grant of Security Interest.

(a) Each Loan Party grants and pledges to Bank a continuing security interest in the Collateral to secure prompt repayment of any and all Obligations and to secure prompt performance by such Loan Party of each of its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents. Except for Permitted Prior Liens, such security interest constitutes a valid, first priority security interest in the presently existing Collateral, and will constitute a valid, first priority security interest in later-acquired Collateral. Each Loan Party also hereby agrees not to sell, transfer, assign, mortgage, pledge, lease, grant a security interest in, or encumber any of its Intellectual Property, except in connection with Permitted Liens and Permitted Transfers.

Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, Bank’s Lien on the Collateral shall remain in effect for so long as any Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) are outstanding. Upon Bank’s written confirmation of payment in full of the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank), and the termination of Bank’s obligation to extend Credit Extensions hereunder, Bank shall release its security interest in the Collateral (at Borrower’s sole cost and expense) and deliver such documents and agreements reasonably required in order to acknowledge such release.

(b) Each Loan Party acknowledges that it or its Subsidiaries previously has entered, and/or may in the future enter, into Bank Services Agreements with Bank or Bank’s Affiliates. Regardless of the terms of any Bank Services Agreement, each Loan Party agrees that any amounts such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries owes Bank or Bank’s Affiliates thereunder shall be deemed to be Obligations hereunder and that it is the intent of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and Bank to have all such Obligations secured by the first priority perfected security interest in the Collateral granted herein (subject only to Permitted Prior Liens).

 

 

13


(c) If this Agreement is terminated, Bank’s Lien in the Collateral shall continue until the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) are repaid in full in cash. Upon payment in full in cash of the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations) and at such time as Bank’s obligation to make Advances has terminated, Bank shall, at the sole cost and expense of Borrower, release its Liens in the Collateral and all rights therein shall revert to Borrower. In the event (i) all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations), except for Bank Services, are satisfied in full, and (ii) this Agreement is terminated, Bank shall terminate the security interest granted herein upon Borrower providing cash collateral acceptable to Bank in its good faith business judgment for Bank Services, if any.

4.2 Perfection of Security Interest. Each Loan Party authorizes Bank to file at any time financing statements, continuation statements, and amendments thereto that (a) either specifically describe the Collateral or describe the Collateral as all assets of Borrower of the kind pledged hereunder, and (b) contain any other information required by the Code for the sufficiency of filing office acceptance of any financing statement, continuation statement, or amendment, including whether such Loan Party is an organization, the type of organization and any organizational identification number issued to such Loan Party, if applicable. Any such financing statements may be filed by Bank at any time in any jurisdiction whether or not Revised Article 9 of the Code is then in effect in that jurisdiction. Each Loan Party shall from time to time endorse and deliver to Bank, at the request of Bank, all Negotiable Collateral and other documents that Bank may reasonably request, in form satisfactory to Bank, to perfect and continue perfection of Bank’s security interests in the Collateral and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party shall have possession of the Collateral, except where expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement or where Bank chooses to perfect its security interest by possession in addition to the filing of a financing statement. Where Collateral is in possession of a third party bailee, such Loan Party shall take such steps as Bank reasonably requests for Bank to (i) subject to Section 7.10, obtain an acknowledgment, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank, of the bailee that the bailee holds such Collateral for the benefit of Bank, and (ii) subject to Section 6.6, obtain “control” of any Collateral consisting of investment property, deposit accounts, letter-of-credit rights or electronic chattel paper (as such items and the term “control” are defined in the Code) by causing the securities intermediary or depositary institution or issuing bank to execute a control agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BankControl Agreement. No Loan Party will create any chattel paper without placing a legend on the chattel paper acceptable to Bank indicating that Bank has a security interest in the chattel paper. Each Loan Party from time to time may deposit with Bank specific cash collateral to secure specific Obligations. Each Loan Party authorizes Bank to hold such specific balances in pledge and to decline to honor any drafts thereon or any request by such Loan Party or any other Person to pay or otherwise transfer any part of such balances for so long as the specific Obligations are outstanding. If any Loan Party shall acquire a commercial tort claim with a value in excess of $500,000, such Loan Party shall notify Bank of the general details thereof in the Compliance Certificate required to be delivered under this Agreement following such event and shall grant to Bank in a writing signed by such Loan Party and delivered with such Compliance Certificate a security interest therein and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank.

 

 

14


4.3 Right to Inspect. Bank (through any of its officers, employees, or agents) shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice, from time to time during Borrower’s usual business hours but no more than once a year (unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to inspect BorrowerLoan Partiess Books and to make copies thereof and to check, test, and appraise the Collateral in order to verify Borrowereach Loan Party’s and its Subsidiaries’ financial condition or the amount, condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

Each Loan Party represents and warrants, for itself and its Subsidiaries, as follows:

5.1 Due Organization and Qualification. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries is an entity duly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and qualified and licensed to do business in any state in which the conduct of its business or its ownership of property requires that it be so qualified, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

5.2 Due Authorization; No Conflict; Enforceability. The execution, delivery, and performance of the Loan Documents are within such Loan Party’s powers, have been duly authorized, and (a) are not in conflict with nor constitute a breach of any provision contained in such Loan Party’s Operating Documents, (b) do not contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material requirement of applicable law, (c) do not contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority in the United States by which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their property or assets may be bound or affected, (d) do not require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or approval from, any Governmental Authority in the United States (except such approvals which have already been obtained and are in full force and effect), and (e) do not constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which such Loan Party is bound. No Loan Party is in default under any agreement by which it is bound, except to the extent such default would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms.

5.3 Collateral. Each Loan Party has rights in or the power to transfer the Collateral, and its title to the Collateral is free and clear of Liens, adverse claims, and restrictions on transfer or pledge except for Permitted Liens. Other than movable items of personal property such as laptop computers, all Collateral having an aggregate book value in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), is located solely in the Collateral States. All Inventory is in all material respects of good and merchantable quality, free from all material defects, except for Inventory for which adequate reserves have been made. Except as set forth in the Schedule or as expressly permitted by Section 6.6 or otherwise in this Agreement, none of the Collateral is maintained or invested with a Person other than Bank or Bank’s Affiliates.

 

 

15


5.4 Intellectual Property. Each Loan Party is the sole owner of the Intellectual Property which it owns or purports to own, except for licenses granted by such Loan Party to its customers in the ordinary course of business, off-the-shelf and similar non-customized inbound licenses for applications of third parties used in connection with such Loan Party’s business and products, open source software licenses and licenses, if any, set forth on the Schedule. To the best of each Loan Party’s knowledge, each of the Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents is valid and enforceable, and no part of the Intellectual Property has been judged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and no claim has been made to any Loan Party that any part of the Intellectual Property violates the rights of any third party except to the extent such claim could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

5.5 Name; Location of Chief Executive Office. Except as disclosed in the Schedule, no Loan Party has done business under any name other than that specified on the signature page hereof, and its exact legal name is as set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement. The chief executive office of each Loan Party is located in the Chief Executive Office State at the address indicated in the Perfection Certificate.

5.6 Actions, Suits, Litigation, or Proceedings. Except as set forth in the Schedule, there are no actions, suits, litigation or proceedings, at law or in equity, pending by or against Borrower or any Subsidiary before any court, administrative agency, or arbitrator in which a likely adverse decision could reasonably result in liability involving more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) individually or One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate.

5.7 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect or Default.

(a) All consolidated and consolidating financial statements related to Borrower and any Subsidiary that are delivered by Borrower to Bank fairly present in all material respects Borrower’s consolidated and consolidating financial condition as of the date thereof and Borrower’s consolidated and consolidating results of operations for the period then ended.

(b) Since the date of the most recent financial statements submitted to Bank, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) The audited financial statements of Borrower delivered pursuant to Section 3.1(a)(xv) or, after the Closing Date, Section 6.2(a)(ii), (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

(d) No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

5.8 Solvency; Payment of Debts. The Loan Parties, on a consolidated basis and taken as a whole, are Solvent.

 

16


5.9 Compliance with Laws and Regulations.

(a) BorrowerEach Loan Party and each Subsidiary have met the minimum funding requirements of ERISA with respect to any employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. No event has occurred resulting from Borrowerany Loan Party’s or any Subsidiary’s failure to comply with ERISA that is reasonably likely to result in Borrowerany Loan Party’s or any Subsidiary’s incurring any liability that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. BorrowerNo Loan Party is not an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. BorrowerNo Loan Party is not engaged principally, or as one of the important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulations X, T and U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). As of the date hereof, there are no strikes, lockouts or slowdowns against Borrowerany Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened. BorrowerEach Loan Party and each Subsidiary has complied in all material respects with all the provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. BorrowerEach Loan Party and each Subsidiary is in compliance with all environmental laws, regulations and ordinances except where the failure to comply is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower has not, and noNo Loan Party or any Subsidiary has, violated any statutes, laws, ordinances or rules applicable to it, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) BorrowerEach Loan Party and each Subsidiary have filed or caused to be filed all tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid, or have made adequate provision for the payment of, all taxes, assessments, deposits and contributions owed by Borrowersuch Loan Party or such Subsidiary except those being contested in good faith with adequate reserves under GAAP or where the failure to file such returns or pay such taxes could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party is unaware of any claims or adjustments proposed for any of such Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ prior tax years which could result in additional taxes becoming due and payable by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, except, with respect to any Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor), such claims or adjustments that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on such Subsidiary’s business.

(c) With respect to each scheme or arrangement mandated by a government other than the United States (a “Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement”) and with respect to each employee benefit plan maintained or contributed to by any Subsidiary that is not subject to United States law (a “Foreign Plan”):

(i) any employer and employee contributions required by law or by the terms of any Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement or any Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices;

 

 

17


(ii) the fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations, as of the date hereof, with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles; and

(iii) each Foreign Plan required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.

5.10 Subsidiaries. No Loan Party or any Subsidiary owns any stock, partnership interest or other equity securities of any Person, except for Permitted Investments.

5.11 Government Consents. BorrowerEach Loan Party and each Subsidiary have obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or filings with, and given all notices to, all Governmental Authorities that are necessary for the continued operation of Borrower’s business as currently conducted, except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

5.12 Inbound Licenses. Except as disclosed on the Schedule, no Loan Party is a party to, nor is bound by, any material inbound license or other agreement, the failure, breach, or termination of which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, or that prohibits or otherwise restricts such Loan Party from granting a security interest in such Loan Party’s interest in such license or agreement or any other property.

5.13 Shares. Each Loan Party has full power and authority to create a first lien on the applicable Shares and no disability or contractual obligation exists that would prohibit such Loan Party from pledging the Shares pursuant to this Agreement. To each Loan Party’s knowledge, there are no subscriptions, warrants, rights of first refusal or other restrictions on transfer relative to, or options exercisable with respect to the Shares. The Shares have been and will be duly authorized and validly issued, and are fully paid and non-assessable. To each Loan Party’s knowledge, the Shares are not the subject of any present or threatened suit, action, arbitration, administrative or other proceeding, and no Loan Party knows of any reasonable grounds for the institution of any such proceedings. None of the Shares are certificated or otherwise evidenced by a “security certificate” (as that term is used in Article 8 of the Code).

5.14 Full Disclosure. No representation, warranty or other statement made by any Loan Party in any certificate or written statement furnished to Bank taken together with all such certificates and written statements furnished to Bank contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained in such certificates or statements not misleading, it being recognized by Bank that the projections and forecasts provided by any Loan Party in good faith and based upon reasonable assumptions are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections and forecasts may differ from the projected or forecasted results.

5.15 Insurance. The insurance maintained by or on behalf of Borrower and its Subsidiaries is adequate and is customary for companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. As of the date hereofCombination Effective Date, all premiums in respect of such insurance have been paid.

 

18


5.16 Beneficial Ownership Certification. As of the ClosingCombination Effective Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if applicable, is true and correct in all respects.

5.17 Sanctions. None of Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries, any director or officer, or any employee, agent, or Affiliate, of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is Person that is, or is owned or controlled by Persons that are, (a) the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority or any other relevant sanctions authorities (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (b) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the target of Sanctions, including currently, the Crimea region, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria.

5.18 Anti-Bribery Laws. None of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor to the knowledge of Borrower, any director, officer, agent, employee, Affiliate or other person acting on behalf of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of any applicable anti-bribery law, including but not limited to, the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 (the “UK Bribery Act”) and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”). Furthermore, Borrower and, to the knowledge of Borrower, its Affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the UK Bribery Act, the FCPA and similar laws, rules or regulations and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

5.19 Perfection Certificate. In connection with this Agreement, each Loan Party has delivered to Bank a completed certificate signed by such Loan Party, entitled “Perfection Certificate” (the “Perfection Certificate”). Each Loan Party represents and warrants to Bank that (a) such Loan Party’s exact legal name is that indicated on the Perfection Certificate and on the signature page hereof; (b) such Loan Party is an organization of the type and is organized in the jurisdiction set forth in the Perfection Certificate; (c) the Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth such Loan Party’s organizational identification number or accurately states that such Loan Party has none; (d) the Perfection Certificate accurately sets forth such Loan Party’s place of business, or, if more than one, its chief executive office as well as such Loan Party’s mailing address (if different than its chief executive office); (e) such Loan Party (and each of its predecessors) has not, in the past five (5) years, changed its jurisdiction of formation, organizational structure or type, or any organizational number assigned by its jurisdiction; and (f) all other information set forth on the Perfection Certificate pertaining to such Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is accurate and complete (it being understood and agreed that such Loan Party may from time to time update certain information in the Perfection Certificate after the Closing Date to the extent permitted by one or more specific provisions in this Agreement). If such Loan Party is not now a registered organization but later becomes one, such Loan Party shall promptly notify Bank of such occurrence and provide Bank with such Loan Party’s organizational identification number.

 

19


6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

Each Loan Party, for itself and its Subsidiaries, covenants that, until payment in full of all outstanding Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank), and for so long as Bank may have any commitment to make an Advance hereunder, such Loan Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, do all of the following:

6.1 Good Standing and Government Compliance. Maintain its organizational existence and good standing in its state of formation (except to the extent a change with respect to a Subsidiary is in the best interest of Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and such change does not result could not be reasonably expected to result in an Material Adverse Effect), and maintain qualification and good standing in each other jurisdiction in which the failure to so qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and furnish to Bank the organizational identification number issued to such Loan Party or Subsidiary by the authorities of the jurisdiction in which such Loan Party or Subsidiary is organized, if applicable. Borrower shall meet, and shall cause each Subsidiary to meet, the minimum funding requirements of ERISA with respect to any employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each Subsidiary to comply, in all material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws, and maintain all material permits, licenses and approvals required thereunder where the failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all statutes, laws, ordinances and government rules and regulations to which it is subject, and shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, in force all licenses, approvals and agreements, the loss of which or failure to comply with which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.2 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates.

(a) Deliver to Bank: (i) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a company prepared consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement and recurring revenue report covering Borrower’s operations during such period, in a form reasonably acceptable to Bank and certified by a Responsible Officer; (ii) as soon as available, but in any event within one hundred eightyninety (18090) days after the end of Borrower’s fiscal year, audited consolidated and consolidating financial statements of Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, together with an opinion which is unqualified (including no going concern comment or qualification) or otherwise consented to in writing by Bank on such financial statements of an independent certified public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Bank; (iii) if applicable, copies of all statements, reports and notices sent or made available generally by Borrower to its security holders or to any holders of Subordinated Debt and all reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within five (5) days of filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission; (iv) promptly upon receipt of notice thereof, a report of any legal actions pending or threatened against Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary that could reasonably be expected to result in damages or costs to Borrowersuch Loan Party or anysuch Subsidiary of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) or more or any other matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

20


(v) promptly upon receipt, each management letter prepared by Borrower’s independent certified public accounting firm regarding Borrower’s management control systems; (vi) as soon as available, but in any event not later than sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year, Borrower’s financial and business projections and budget (on a quarterly basis, including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements, by quarter) for the immediately following year, with evidence of approval thereof by Borrower’s Board of Directors, and contemporaneously with delivery or approval by Borrower’s Board of Directors, any updates or changes thereto; (vii) such budgets, sales projections, operating plans or other financial information generally prepared by Borrower in the ordinary course of business as Bank may reasonably request from time to time, (viii) promptly following any request therefor, information and documentation reasonably requested by Bank 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, (ix) prompt notice of the creation or acquisition of any Subsidiary, and (x) within five (5) Business Days after the same are sent or received, copies of all correspondence, reports, documents and other filings with any Governmental Authority regarding compliance with or maintenance of governmental approvals or requirements of law or that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on any of the governmental approvals or otherwise on the operations of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

(b) Within forty-five (45) days after the last day of each quarter, deliver to Bank aged listings by invoice date of accounts receivable and accounts payable.

(c) Within forty-five (45) days after the last day of each quarter, deliver to Bank with the quarterly financial statements a Compliance Certificate certified as of the last day of the applicable quarter and signed by a Responsible Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto.

(d) Immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence or existence of an Event of Default hereunder, deliver to Bank a written statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the Event of Default, and the action which Borrower has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Borrower may deliver to Bank on an electronic basis any certificates, reports or information required pursuant to this Section 6.2, and Bank shall be entitled to rely on the information contained in the electronic files, provided that Bank in good faith believes that the files were delivered by a Responsible Officer. If Borrower delivers this information electronically, it shall also deliver to Bank by U.S. Mail, reputable overnight courier service, hand delivery, or .pdf file within five (5) Business Days of submission of the unsigned electronic copy the certification of quarterly financial statements and the Compliance Certificate, each bearing the physical signature of the Responsible Officer.

6.3 Inventory; Property; Books and Records; Inspection Rights.

(a) Keep all Inventory in good and merchantable condition, free from all material defects except for Inventory for which adequate reserves have been made. Returns and allowances, if any, as between any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and its account debtors shall be on the same basis and in accordance with the usual customary practices of Borrower, as they exist on the Closing Date. Borrower shall promptly notify Bank of all returns and recoveries and of all disputes and claims of Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary involving more than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

 

21


(b) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of Borrowerany Loan Party or suchany Subsidiary, as the case may be.

(d) At reasonable times, on five (5) Business Days’ written notice (provided no notice is required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), provide Bank, or its agents, the right, during normal business hours (except if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to inspect the Collateral and the right to audit and copy BorrowerLoan Partiess Books. The foregoing inspections and audits shall be conducted at Borrower’s expense and no more often than once every twelve (12) months with reasonable efforts to minimize disruption to Borrower’s business, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, in which case such inspections and audits shall occur as often as Bank shall reasonably determine is necessary.

(e) Make available to Bank, without expense to Bank, Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ officers, employees and agents and BorrowerLoan Partiess Books, to the extent that Bank may deem them reasonably necessary to prosecute or defend any third-party suit or proceeding instituted by or against Bank with respect to any Collateral or relating to Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

6.4 Taxes. Make, and cause each Subsidiary to make, due and timely payment or deposit of all material federal, state, and local taxes, assessments, or contributions required of it by law, including, but not limited to, those laws concerning income taxes, F.I.C.A., F.U.T.A. and state disability, and execute and deliver to Bank, on demand, proof satisfactory to Bank indicating that Borrowersuch Loan Party or such Subsidiary has made such payments or deposits and any appropriate certificates attesting to the payment or deposit thereof; provided that Borrowersuch Loan Party or such Subsidiary need not make any payment if the amount or validity of such payment is contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and is reserved against (to the extent required by GAAP) by Borrowersuch Loan Party or such Subsidiary.

6.5 Insurance.

(a) At its expense, keep the Collateral insured against loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, sprinklers, and all other hazards and risks, and in such amounts, as ordinarily insured against by other owners in similar businesses conducted in the locations where Borrowerthe Loan Partiess business is conducted on the date hereof. BorrowerEach Loan Party shall also maintain, for itself and its Subsidiaries, liability and other insurance in amounts and of a type that are customary to businesses similar to Borrower’s.

 

22


(b) All such policies of insurance shall be in such form, with such companies, and in such amounts as reasonably satisfactory to Bank. All policies of property insurance shall contain a lender’s loss payable endorsement, in a form satisfactory to Bank, showing Bank as an additional loss payee, and all liability insurance policies shall show Bank as an additional insured and specify that the insurer must give at least twenty (20) days’ notice to Bank before canceling its policy for any reason other than non-payment of premium and ten (10) days’ notice for non-payment of premium. All policies of insurance shall be addressed to Bank as follows: c/o HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Attn: Insurance Department, P.O. Box 1165, Buffalo, NY 14203. Upon Bank’s request, Borrower shall deliver to Bank certified copies of the policies of insurance and evidence of all premium payments. Proceeds payable under any casualty policy will, at the applicable Loan Party’s option, be payable to such Loan Party to replace the property subject to the claim, provided that any such replacement property shall be deemed Collateral in which Bank has been granted a first priority security interest, provided that if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, all proceeds payable under any such policy shall, at Bank’s option, be payable to Bank to be applied on account of the Obligations.

6.6 Accounts. Commencing September 1, 2020on the Combination Effective Date, at all times shall maintain their primary depositary accounts and treasury banking arrangements in the United States, Singapore, and Germany with Bank or Bank’s Affiliates (covered by satisfactory control agreementsControl Agreements). Commencing June 30, 2020on the Combination Effective Date, any accounts of any Loan Party permitted hereunder to be maintained outside Bank shall be subject to control agreements in form and content reasonably acceptable to BankControl Agreements. The provisions of the previous sentence shall not apply to (a) deposit accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s employees and identified to Bank in the Perfection Certificate by Borrower as such, (b) any deposit account that is a zero balance account or a deposit account for which the balance of such deposit account is transferred at the end of each date to a deposit account that is subject to a Control Agreement, (c) withholding tax and other fiduciary accounts, escrow accounts in respect of arrangements with third parties and worker’s compensation accounts, (d) cash collateral accounts subject to Liens permitted under Section 7.5, and (e) any deposit account, commodity account or securities account so long as the average daily maximum balance over any 30-day period (i) in each such account, individually, does not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) and (ii) in the aggregate for all such accounts does not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000).

6.7 Financial Covenants.

(a) Quick Ratio. Maintain at all times an Adjusted Quick Ratio of at

 

23


(b) Annual Recurring Revenue. Permit the amount of Annual Recurring Revenue for any fiscal quarter of Borrower to be less than the minimum amount of Annual Recurring Revenue set forth below opposite such fiscal quarter:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending

   Minimum Annual
Recurring Revenue
 

March 31, 2020

   $ 66,670,000  

June 30, 2020

   $ 70,430,000  

September 30, 2020

   $ 73,700,000  

December 31, 2020

   $ 77,510,000  

March 31, 2021

   $ 81,990,000  

June 30, 2021

   $ 87,900,000  

September 30, 2021

   $ 92,910,000  

December 31, 2021

   $ 98,430,000  

March 31, 2022

   $ 100,790,000  

June 30, 2022

   $ 104,650,000  

September 30, 2022

   $ 107,640,000  

December 31, 2022 and each fiscal

   $ 111,190,000  

quarter thereafter

  

6.8 Registration of Intellectual Property Rights.

(a) Register or cause to be registered on an expedited basis (to the extent not already registered) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, as the case may be, those registrable material intellectual property rights now owned or hereafter developed or acquired by Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary, to the extent that Borrower, in its reasonable business judgment, deems it appropriate to so protect such intellectual property rights.

(b) Promptly give Bank written notice of any applications or registrations of intellectual property rights filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office, including the date of such filing and the registration or application numbers, if any.

(c) Give Bank prompt written notice of the filing of any applications or registrations with the United States Copyright Office, including the title of such intellectual property rights to be registered, as such title will appear on such applications or registrations, and the date such applications or registrations will be filed.

 

 

24


(d) (i) Protect, defend and maintain the validity and enforceability of the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, and trade secrets, (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to detect infringements of the Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights and promptly advise Bank in writing of material infringements detected and (iii) not allow any material Trademarks, Patents or Copyrights to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without the written consent of Bank, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

6.9 Consent of Inbound Licensors. Prior to entering into or becoming bound by any inbound license or agreement (other than over-the-counter software that is commercially available to the public and open source software licenses), the failure, breach, or termination of which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, (a) provide written notice to Bank of the material terms of such license or agreement with a description of its likely impact on Borrower’s business or financial condition; and (b) in good faith take such actions as Bank may reasonably request to obtain the consent of, or waiver by, any person whose consent or waiver is necessary for (i) Borrowersuch Loan Party’s or such Subsidiary’s interest in such licenses or contract rights to be deemed Collateral and for Bank to have a security interest in it that might otherwise be restricted by the terms of the applicable license or agreement, whether now existing or entered into in the future, and (ii) Bank to have the ability in the event of a liquidation of any Collateral to dispose of such Collateral in accordance with Bank’s rights and remedies under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, provided, however, that the failure to obtain any such consent or waiver shall not constitute a default under this Agreement.

6.10 Creation/Acquisition of Subsidiaries; Certification of Shares. In the event Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary creates or acquires any Subsidiary, (a) promptly notify Bank of the creation or acquisition of such new Subsidiary, (b) if such Subsidiary is a Domestic Subsidiary, take all such action as may be reasonably required by Bank to cause such Subsidiary to guarantee the Obligations pursuant to the Guaranty and to grant a continuing pledge and security interest in and to the collateral of such Subsidiary (substantially as described on Exhibit B hereto), (c) grant and pledge to Bank a perfected security interest in the Shares of such Subsidiary and (d) deliver to Bank all other documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, including one or more opinions of counsel satisfactory to Bank, which in its opinion is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above. In the event any Loan Party’s Subsidiaries’ Shares are certificated or otherwise evidenced by a “security certificate” (as that term is used in Article 8 of the Code), such Loan Party shall deliver such security certificate, together with a duly executed transfer power or other instrument of transfer (in form and substance satisfactory to Bank) executed in blank, to Bank in accordance with and to the extent required by the Pledge Agreement.

6.11 Further Assurances. At any time and from time to time execute and deliver such further instruments and take such further action as may reasonably be requested by Bank to effect the purposes of this Agreement.

6.12 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of the Advances to pay expenses in connection with the Closing and for working capital and other general corporate purposes not in contravention of any law or of any Loan Document, including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions.

 

 

25


6.13 Beneficial Ownership Certification. Promptly following any request therefor, provide information and documentation reasonably requested by Bank for purpose 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.

7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

Each Loan Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any credit hereunder shall be available and until the outstanding Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) are paid in full or for so long as Bank may have any commitment to make any Credit Extensions, such Loan Party will not do any of the following:

7.1 Dispositions. Convey, sell, lease, license, transfer or otherwise dispose of (collectively, to “Transfer”), or permit any of its Subsidiaries to Transfer, all or any part of its business or property, or move cash balances on deposit with Bank to accounts opened at another financial institution in violation of Section 6.6, other than Permitted Transfers.

7.2 Change in Name, Location, Executive Office, or Executive Management; Change in Business; Change in Fiscal Year. (a) Change its name or the applicable Loan Party State or relocate its chief executive office without thirty (30) days prior written notification to Bank; (b) replace its chief executive officer or chief financial officer without delivering written notification to Bank within five (5) days thereof; (c) engage in any business, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any business, other than as reasonably related or incidental to the businesses currently engaged in by Borrower; or (d) change its fiscal year end.

7.3 Fundamental Changes; Mergers or Acquisitions. Dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to dissolve, liquidate, merge or consolidate, with or into any other business organization (other than dissolutions, liquidations, mergers or consolidations of a Subsidiary into another Subsidiary or into Borrower; provided if any such Subsidiary is a Loan Party, a Loan Party shall be the surviving entity), or acquire, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire, all or substantially all of the capital stock or property of another Person (other than investments of a Subsidiary into another Subsidiary or Borrower to the extent permitted under Section 7.7), or enter into any agreement to do any of the same, except for Permitted Acquisitions.

7.4 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume, guarantee or be or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness, or permit any Subsidiary so to do, other than Permitted Indebtedness, or prepay any Indebtedness or take any actions which impose on such Loan Party or Subsidiary an obligation to prepay any Indebtedness, except (a) Indebtedness to Bank and (b) prepayments of Indebtedness (other than Subordinated Debt except as otherwise permitted in Section 7.9) in the ordinary course of business.

7.5 Encumbrances. Create, incur, assume or allow any Lien with respect to any of its property, or assign or otherwise convey any right to receive income, including the sale of any Accounts, or permit any of its Subsidiaries so to do, except for Permitted Liens, or covenant to any other Person (other than (a) the licensors of in-licensed property with respect to such property or (b) the lessors of specific equipment or lenders financing specific equipment

 

26


with respect to such leased or financed equipment to the extent, if such arrangements constitute Indebtedness, such arrangements are permitted under Section 7.4) that such Loan Party or Subsidiary in the future will refrain from creating, incurring, assuming or allowing any Lien with respect to any of such Loan Party’s or Subsidiary’s property. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no Loan Party shall create, incur, allow, or suffer any Lien on any of its Intellectual Property (except in favor of Bank).

7.6 Distributions. Pay any dividends or make any other distribution or payment on account of or in redemption, retirement or purchase of any capital stock or other equity securities, except that Borrower may (and, in the case of clauses (a), (b), (e) and (f), Borrower may make dividends or distributions to Holdings not to exceed an amount necessary to permit Holdings to) (a) repurchase the stock of former employees and directors pursuant to stock repurchase agreements or any equity incentive plan as long as (i) an Event of Default does not exist prior to such repurchase and would not exist after giving effect to such repurchase, and (ii) the aggregate amount of cash payments in respect of such repurchases does not exceed Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) in any fiscal year, (b) repurchase the stock of former employees pursuant to and in accordance with certain option agreements or stock repurchase agreements by the cancellation of indebtedness owed by such former employees to Holdings or Borrower regardless of whether an Event of Default exists, (c) convert any of its convertible securities into equity securities pursuant to the terms of such convertible securities or otherwise in exchange therefor, (d) repurchase the remaining equity interests inmake distributions to Holdings in an amount not to exceed the amount of proceeds from the PIPE investments described in Section 5.17 of the Combination Agreement (as defined in the First Amendment) received by Holdings and actually distributed to Borrower held by Goldman Sachs or its Affiliates asso long as (i) an Event of Default does not exist prior to making such repurchasedistribution and would not exist after making such distribution, and (ii) on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such repurchase, and (ii) the aggregate amount of cash payments in respect of such repurchase does not exceed Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00distribution, Borrower shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.7, (e) declare and (e) pay dividends in shares of its equity securities and make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares representing insignificant interests in Holdings or Borrower in connection with any dividend, split or combination of its equity securities or in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for equity securities of Holdings or Borrower, and (f) declare and pay cash dividends to Holdings not to exceed an amount necessary to permit Holdings to pay (i) reasonable and customary corporate and operating expenses (including reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for legal, administrative and accounting services provided by third parties, and compensation, benefits and other amounts payable to officers and employees in connection with their employment in the ordinary course of business and to board of director observers), (ii) franchise fees or similar taxes and fees required to maintain its corporate existence and (iii) all or a portion of the income tax liabilities of Borrower or its Subsidiaries to the extent that Borrower or such Subsidiary is part of a consolidated group of which Holdings is the parent and to the extent that such liability is directly attributable to the income of Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided, further, that the repurchasesdividends and distributions permitted pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (d) above shall only be permitted to the extent that on a pro forma basis after giving effect to any such repurchasedividend or distribution the Loan Parties shall have Liquidity in an amount of at least Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00).

 

27


7.7 Investments. Directly or indirectly acquire or own, or make any Investment in or to any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do so, other than Permitted Investments, or subject to Section 6.6 hereof, maintain or invest any of its property with a Person other than Bank or Bank’s Affiliates or permit any Domestic Subsidiary to do so unless such Person has entered into a control agreement with Bank, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to BankControl Agreement, or suffer or permit any Subsidiary to be a party to, or be bound by, an agreement that restricts such Subsidiary from paying dividends or otherwise distributing property to Borrower. Further, Borrowerno Loan Party shall not enter into, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into, any license or agreement with any country that is the target of Sanctions or with any Person that is, or that is organized under or doing business in any country that is, the target of Sanctions.

7.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrowerany Loan Party except for (a) transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrowersuch Loan Party’s business, upon fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to Borrowersuch Loan Party than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-affiliated Person, (b) Permitted Investments, and (c) sales of equity securities to existing investors (provided no Change in Control results from such sales).

7.9 Subordinated Debt. Make any payment in respect of any Subordinated Debt, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any such payment, except in compliance with the terms of such Subordinated Debt and the terms of the subordination agreement relating to such Subordinated Debt, or amend any provision of any document evidencing such Subordinated Debt, except in compliance with the terms of the subordination agreement relating to such Subordinated Debt, or amend any provision affecting Bank’s rights contained in any documentation relating to the Subordinated Debt without Bank’s prior written consent.

7.10 Inventory and Equipment. Store the Inventory or the Equipment of a book value in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) with a bailee, warehouseman, or similar third party unless the third party has been notified of Bank’s security interest and Bank

(a) has received an acknowledgment from the third party that it is holding or will hold the Inventory or Equipment for Bank’s benefit or (b) is in possession of the warehouse receipt, where negotiable, covering such Inventory or Equipment. Except for Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business, for movable items of personal property having an aggregate book value not in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per location, and except for such other locations as Bank may approve in writing, each Loan Party shall keep the Inventory and Equipment only at the location set forth in Section 10 and such other locations of which such Loan Party gives Bank prior written notice and as to which Bank files a financing statement where needed to perfect its security interest.

 

28


7.11 No Investment Company; Margin Regulation; Compliance. (a) Become or be controlled by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, or become principally engaged in, or undertake as one of its important activities, the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, or use the proceeds of any Credit Extension for such purpose; (b) fail to meet the minimum funding requirements of ERISA or pursuant to any Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement, as applicable, or permit a Reportable Event or Prohibited Transaction, as defined in ERISA, to occur; (c) fail to comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act or violate any other law or regulation, if the violation could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or (d) withdraw from participation in, permit partial or complete termination of, or permit the occurrence of any other event with respect to, any present pension, profit sharing and deferred compensation plan which could reasonably be expected to result in any liability of Borrowerany Loan Party, including any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or its successors or any other governmental agency.

7.12 Sanctions. Directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Advances, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (a) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the target or subject of Sanctions or (b) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Advances, whether as issuing bank, lender, underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise).

7.13 Anti-Bribery. Use, directly or indirectly, any part of the proceeds of any Advance for any payments that could constitute a violation of any applicable anti-bribery law.

8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default under this Agreement:

8.1 Payment Default. If any Loan Party or Holdings fails to pay any (a) payment of principal or interest on any Advance when due, (b) other Obligation (other than any Obligation in respect of Bank Services) within three (3) days of when due (which three (3) day cure period shall not apply to payments due on the Revolving Maturity Date), or (c) Obligation in respect of Bank Services in an aggregate amount of at least $50,000 and, in the case of this clause (c), such Loan Party or Holdings has failed to cure such default within ten (10) days after such Loan Party or Holdings receives notice thereof or any officer of such Loan Party or Holdings becomes aware thereof;

8.2 Covenant Default.

(a) If any Loan Party fails to perform any obligation under Sections 6.1 (as to existence), 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7 or 6.12 or violates any of the covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement; or

 

29


(b) If any Loan Party or Holdings fails or neglects to perform or observe any other material term, provision, condition, covenant contained in this Agreement, in any of the other Loan Documents or any Bank Services Agreement, provision, condition or covenant that can be cured, has failed to cure such default within ten (10) days (or, solely to the extent relating to a Bank Services Agreement, thirty (30) days) after such Loan Party or Holdings receives notice thereof or any officer of such Loan Party or Holdings becomes aware thereof; provided, however, that if the default cannot by its nature be cured within the ten (10) day period (or, solely to the extent relating to a Bank Services Agreement, thirty (30) day period) or cannot after diligent attempts by such Loan Party or Holdings be cured within such ten (10) day period (or, solely to the extent relating to a Bank Services Agreement, thirty (30) day period), and such default is likely to be cured within a reasonable time, then such Loan Party or Holdings shall have an additional reasonable period (which shall not in any case exceed thirty (30) days (or, solely to the extent relating to a Bank Services Agreement, sixty (60) days)) to attempt to cure such default, so long as such Loan Party or Holdings continues to diligently attempt to cure such default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to have cured such default shall not be deemed an Event of Default but no Credit Extensions will be made;

8.3 Material Adverse Change. If there occurs any circumstance or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.;

8.4 Defective Perfection. If Bank shall receive at any time following the Closing Date an SOS Report indicating that except for Permitted Prior Liens, Bank’s security interest in the Collateral is not prior to all other security interests or Liens of record reflected in the report;

8.5 Attachment. If any material portion of any Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiary’s assets is attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or is levied upon, or comes into the possession of any trustee, receiver or person acting in a similar capacity and such attachment, seizure, writ or distress warrant or levy has not been removed, discharged or rescinded within ten (10) days, or if such Loan Party or Subsidiary is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by court order from continuing to conduct all or any material part of its business affairs, or if a judgment or other claim becomes a lien or encumbrance upon any material portion of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets, or if a notice of lien, levy, or assessment is filed of record with respect to any material portion of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets by the United States government, or any Governmental Authority, and the same is not paid within ten (10) days after Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary receives notice thereof, provided that none of the foregoing shall constitute an Event of Default where such action or event is stayed or an adequate bond has been posted pending a good faith contest by Borrower (provided that no Credit Extensions will be made during such cure period);

8.6 Insolvency. If BorrowerHoldings, any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is unable to pay its debts (including trade debts) as they become due, or if an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by BorrowerHoldings, any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or if an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against BorrowerHoldings, any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and is not dismissed or stayed within forty-five (45) days (provided that no Credit Extensions will be made prior to the dismissal of such Insolvency Proceeding);

8.7 Other Agreements. If there is a default or other failure to perform in any agreement to which Borrowerany Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with a third party or parties (a) resulting in a right by such third party or parties, whether or not exercised, to accelerate the maturity of any Indebtedness of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in an amount individually or in the aggregate of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) or (b) and such default or failure could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

30


8.8 Subordinated Debt. If Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary makes any payment on account of Subordinated Debt, except to the extent the payment is allowed under any subordination agreement entered into with Bank;

8.9 Judgments. If one or more final judgments, orders, or decrees for the payment of money in an amount, individually or in the aggregate, of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) (not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which liability has been accepted by such insurance carrier) shall be rendered against Borrowerany Loan Party or any Subsidiary and the same are not, within ten (10) days after the entry thereof, discharged or execution thereof stayed or bonded pending appeal, or such judgments are not discharged prior to the expiration of any such stay (provided that no Credit Extensions will be made prior to the discharge, stay, or bonding of such judgment, order, or decree);

8.10 Misrepresentations. If any material misrepresentation or material misstatement exists now or hereafter in any warranty or representation set forth herein, in any Loan Document, in any Bank Services Agreement or in any certificate delivered to Bank by any Responsible Officer pursuant to this Agreement or to induce Bank to enter into this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Bank Services Agreement which Borrower has failed to cure within ten (10) days after Borrower receives notice thereof or any officer of BorrowerHoldings, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary becomes aware thereof; provided, however, that if such default cannot by its nature be cured within such ten (10) day period, and is likely to be cured within a reasonable time, then Borrower shall have an additional reasonable period (which shall not in any case exceed an additional thirty (30) days) to attempt to cure such default, so long as Borrower continues to diligently attempt to cure such default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to have cured such default shall not be deemed an Event of Default but no Credit Extensions will be made;

8.11 Loan Documents; Bank Services Agreements. Any Loan Document, or any material provision thereof, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or BorrowerHoldings, any Loan Party or any other Person contests in writing the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any Bank Services Agreement or, in either case, any provision thereof; or BorrowerHoldings or any Loan Party denies in writing that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports in writing to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document;

 

31


8.12 Change of Control. The occurrence of a Change in Control; andor

8.13 Governmental Approvals. Any governmental approval shall have been (a) revoked, rescinded, suspended, modified in an adverse manner or not renewed in the ordinary course for a full term or (b) subject to any decision by a Governmental Authority that designates a hearing with respect to any applications for renewal of any of such governmental approval or that could result in the Governmental Authority taking any of the actions described in clause (a) above, and such decision or such revocation, rescission, suspension, modification or non-renewal in the case of either clause (a) or (b) (i) cause, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) adversely affects the legal qualifications of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to hold a governmental approval in any applicable jurisdiction and such revocation, rescission, suspension, modification or non-renewal could reasonably be expected to affect the status of or legal qualifications of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to hold any governmental approval in any other jurisdiction and such effect on the status of or legal qualifications of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries cause, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

9. BANK’S RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

9.1 Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Bank may, at its election, without notice of its election and without demand, do any one or more of the following, all of which are authorized by the Loan Parties:

(a) Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement, by any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and payable (provided that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 8.6, all Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without any action by Bank);

(b) Cause to be terminated any FX Contracts;

(c) Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of Borrower under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and Bank;

(d) Settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with account debtors for amounts, upon terms and in whatever order that Bank reasonably considers advisable;

(e) Make such payments and do such acts as Bank considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security interest in the Collateral. Each Loan Party agrees to assemble the Collateral if Bank so requires, and to make the Collateral available to Bank as Bank may designate. Each Loan Party authorizes Bank to enter the premises where the Collateral is located, to take and maintain possession of the Collateral, or any part of it, and to pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any encumbrance, charge, or lien which in Bank’s determination appears to be prior or superior to its security interest and to pay all expenses incurred in connection therewith. With respect to any of any Loan Party’s owned premises, each Loan Party hereby grants Bank a license to enter into possession of such premises and to occupy the same, without charge, in order to exercise any of Bank’s rights or remedies provided herein, at law, in equity, or otherwise;

 

32


(f) Set off and apply to the Obligations any and all (i) balances and deposits of such Loan Party held by Bank or its Affiliates, and (ii) indebtedness at any time owing to or for the credit or the account of such Loan Party held by Bank or its Affiliates;

(g) Ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare for sale, advertise for sale, and sell (in the manner provided for herein) the Collateral. Bank is hereby granted a license or other right, solely pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9.1, to use, without charge, each Loan Party’s labels, patents, copyrights, rights of use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any Collateral and, in connection with Bank’s exercise of its rights under this Section 9.1, such Loan Party’s rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements shall inure to Bank’s benefit;

(h) Sell the Collateral at either a public or private sale, or both, by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on terms, in such manner and at such places (including any Loan Party’s premises) as Bank determines is commercially reasonable, and apply any proceeds to the Obligations in whatever manner or order Bank deems appropriate. Bank may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. Bank may specifically disclaim any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered adversely to affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral. If Bank sells any of the Collateral upon credit, Borrower will be credited only with payments actually made by the purchaser, received by Bank, and applied to the indebtedness of the purchaser. If the purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, Bank may resell the Collateral and Borrower shall be credited with the proceeds of the sale;

(i) Bank may credit bid and purchase at any public sale;

(j) Apply for the appointment of a receiver, trustee, liquidator or conservator of the Collateral, without notice and without regard to the adequacy of the security for the Obligations and without regard to the solvency of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries or any other Person liable for any of the Obligations; and

(k) Exercise all rights and remedies available to Bank under the Loan Documents or any Bank Services Agreement or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the Code (including disposal of the Collateral pursuant to the terms thereof).

Bank may comply with any applicable state or federal law requirements in connection with a disposition of the Collateral and compliance will not be considered adversely to affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral. Any deficiency that exists after disposition of the Collateral as provided above will be paid immediately by Borrower.

9.2 Power of Attorney. Effective only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints Bank (and any of Bank’s designated officers, or employees) as such Loan Party’s true and lawful attorney to: (a) send requests for verification of Accounts or notify account debtors of Bank’s security interest in the Accounts; (b) endorse such Loan Party’s name on any checks or other forms of payment or

 

33


security that may come into Bank’s possession; (c) sign such Loan Party’s name on any invoice or bill of lading relating to any Account, drafts against account debtors, schedules and assignments of Accounts, verifications of Accounts, and notices to account debtors; (d) dispose of any Collateral; (e) make, settle, and adjust all claims under and decisions with respect to Borrower’s policies of insurance; (f) settle and adjust disputes and claims respecting the accounts directly with account debtors, for amounts and upon terms which Bank determines to be reasonable; and (g) file, in its sole discretion, one or more financing or continuation statements and amendments thereto, relative to any of the Collateral without the signature of such Loan Party where permitted by law; provided Bank may exercise such power of attorney to sign the name of such Loan Party on any of the documents described in clause (g) above, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred. The appointment of Bank as each Loan Party’s attorney in fact, and each and every one of Bank’s rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until all of the Obligations have been fully repaid and performed and Bank’s obligation to provide Advances hereunder is terminated.

9.3 Accounts Collection. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Bank may notify any Person owing funds to any Loan Party of Bank’s security interest in such funds and verify the amount of such Account. Each Loan Party shall collect all amounts owing to such Loan Party for Bank, receive in trust all payments as Bank’s trustee, and immediately deliver such payments to Bank in their original form as received from the account debtor, with proper endorsements for deposit.

9.4 Bank Expenses. If any Loan Party fails to pay any amounts or furnish any required proof of payment due to third persons or entities, as required under the terms of this Agreement, then Bank may do any or all of the following after reasonable notice to Borrower: (a) make payment of the same or any part thereof; (b) set up such reserves under the Revolving Line as Bank deems necessary to protect Bank from the exposure created by such failure; or (c) obtain and maintain insurance policies of the type discussed in Section 6.5 of this Agreement, and take any action with respect to such policies as Bank deems prudent, provided that Bank shall give Borrower prior written notice of its intent to spend more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in accordance with this Section 9.4. Any amounts so paid or deposited by Bank shall constitute Bank Expenses, shall be immediately due and payable, and shall bear interest at the then applicable rate hereinabove provided, and shall be secured by the Collateral. Any payments made by Bank shall not constitute an agreement by Bank to make similar payments in the future or a waiver by Bank of any Event of Default under this Agreement.

9.5 Bank’s Liability for Collateral. Bank has no obligation to clean up or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale. All risk of loss, damage or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower.

9.6 No Obligation to Pursue Others. Bank has no obligation to attempt to satisfy the Obligations by collecting them from any other person liable for them and Bank may release, modify or waive any collateral provided by any other Person to secure any of the Obligations, all without affecting Bank’s rights against the Loan Parties. Each Loan Party waives any right it may have to require Bank to pursue any other Person for any of the Obligations.

 

34


9.7 Remedies Cumulative. Bank’s rights and remedies under this Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Bank Services Agreements and all other agreements shall be cumulative. Bank shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by Bank of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Bank of any Event of Default on any Loan Party’s part shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Bank shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it. No waiver by Bank shall be effective unless made in a written document signed on behalf of Bank and then shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. Each Loan Party expressly agrees that this Section 9.7 may not be waived or modified by Bank by course of performance, conduct, estoppel or otherwise.

9.8 Demand; Protest. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, each Loan Party waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment and any other notices relating to the Obligations.

10. NOTICES.

All notices, consents, requests, approvals, demands, or other communication by any party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given, or delivered: (a) upon the earlier of actual receipt and three (3) Business Days after deposit in the U.S. mail, first class, registered or certified mail return receipt requested, with proper postage prepaid; (b) upon transmission, when sent by electronic mail; (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a reputable overnight courier with all charges prepaid; or (d) when delivered, if hand-delivered by messenger, all of which shall be addressed to the party to be notified and sent to the address or email address indicated below. Bank or any Loan Party may change its mailing or electronic mail address by giving the other party written notice thereof in accordance with the terms of this Section 10.

 

If to any Loan Party:    c/o AvePoint, Inc.
   Riverfront Plaza West
   901 East Byrd Street, 9th Floor
   Richmond, VA 23219
   Attn: General Counsel
   Email: legal@avepoint.com
If to Bank:    HSBC Ventures USA Inc.
   452 Fifth Avenue
   New York, NY 10018
   Attn: Jan Luehrs
   Email: jan.luehrs@us.hsbc.com
   With a copy to:
   HSBC Ventures USA Inc.
   95 Washington Street
   Buffalo, NY 14203
   Attn: CMB Loan Service

 

35


The parties hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other.

11. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE.

This Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating thereto (except, as to any Loan Document, as expressly set forth therein) and the transactions contemplated by such documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of any federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in such State in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any action taken or omitted hereunder, and waives any claim of forum non conveniens and any objections as to laying of venue. Each party further waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process, right to a jury trial and agrees that service thereof may be made by certified or registered mail directed to such Person at such Person’s address for purposes of notices hereunder and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of such Person’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH LOAN PARTY AND BANK EACH WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR BOTH PARTIES TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.

This Section 11 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

12. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

12.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties and shall bind all persons who become bound as a debtor to this Agreement; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any rights hereunder may be assigned by Borrower without Bank’s prior written consent, which consent may be granted or withheld in Bank’s sole discretion. Bank shall have the right without the consent of or notice to Borrower to sell, transfer, negotiate, or grant participation in all or any part of, or any interest in, Bank’s obligations, rights and benefits hereunder; provided, however, that, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, any such assignment (other than any assignment to an Affiliate of the Bank or Approved Funds) shall be subject to the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of Borrower; provided further that Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Bank within five (5) days after having received written notice thereof.

 

36


12.2 Indemnification. Each Loan Party agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Bank and its directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys, or any other Person affiliated with or representing Bank (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless against: (a) all obligations, demands, claims, and liabilities (collectively, “Claims”) claimed or asserted by any other party in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and any Bank Services Agreement; and (b) all losses or expenses (including Bank Expenses) in any way suffered, incurred, or paid by such Indemnified Person as a result of, following from, or arising from transactions between Bank and any Loan Party (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses), except for Claims and/or losses directly caused by any Indemnified Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final and non-appealable decision of a court of competent jurisdiction. This Section 12.2 shall not apply with respect to taxes other than any taxes that represent losses or expenses arising from any non-tax claim.

12.3 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for the performance of all obligations set forth in this Agreement.

12.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

12.5 Correction of Loan Documents. Bank may correct patent errors and fill in any blanks in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents consistent with the agreement of the parties.

12.6 Amendments in Writing, Integration. All amendments to or terminations of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents must be in writing signed by the parties. All prior agreements, understandings, representations, warranties, and negotiations between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, if any, are merged into this Agreement and the Loan Documents.

12.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

12.8 Survival. All covenants, representations and warranties made in this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect so long as any Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) remain outstanding or Bank has any obligation to make any Credit Extension to Borrower. The obligations of the Loan Parties to indemnify Bank with respect to the expenses, damages, losses, costs and liabilities described in Section 12.2 shall survive until all applicable statute of limitations periods with respect to actions that may be brought against Bank have run.

 

37


12.9 Confidentiality. In handling any confidential information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their business, Bank shall exercise the same degree of care that it exercises for its own proprietary information, but disclosure of information may be made: (a) to Bank’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates (such Subsidiaries and Affiliates, together with Bank, collectively, “Bank Entities”); (b) to prospective transferees or purchasers of any interest in the Advances (provided, however, Bank shall obtain any prospective transferee’s or purchaser’s agreement to the terms of this provision or to terms substantially the same as those of this provision); (c) as required by law, regulation, subpoena, or other order; (d) to Bank’s regulators or as otherwise required in connection with Bank’s examination or audit; (e) as Bank considers appropriate in exercising remedies under the Loan Documents; and (f) to third-party service providers of Bank so long as such service providers have executed a confidentiality agreement with Bank with terms no less restrictive than those contained herein. Confidential information does not include information that is either: (i) in the public domain or in Bank’s possession when disclosed to Bank, or becomes part of the public domain (other than as a result of its disclosure by Bank in violation of this Agreement) after disclosure to Bank; or (ii) disclosed to Bank by a third party, if Bank does not know that the third party is prohibited from disclosing the information. Bank Entities may use confidential information for the development of databases, reporting purposes, and market analysis so long as such confidential information is aggregated and anonymized prior to distribution unless otherwise expressly permitted by Borrower. The provisions of the immediately preceding sentence shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

12.10 Attorneys’ Fees, Costs and Expenses. In any action or proceeding between any Loan Party and Bank arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, the Bank shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred, in addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled.

12.11 Electronic Execution of Documents. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in any Loan Document 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 and enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping systems, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

12.12 Right of Setoff. Each Loan Party hereby grants to Bank and its Affiliates a Lien and a right of setoff as security for all Obligations to Bank and its Affiliates, whether now existing or hereafter arising upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Bank or any of its Affiliates or in transit to any of them. At any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, without demand or notice, Bank and its Affiliates may setoff the same or any part thereof (other than amounts in deposit accounts exclusively used for payroll, payroll taxes, and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of Borrower’s employees and identified to Bank in the Perfection Certificate by Borrower as such) and apply the same to any

 

38


liability or Obligation of Borrower even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing the Obligations. ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE BANK OR ITS AFFILIATES TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF ANY LOAN PARTY, ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

12.13 Captions. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

12.14 Divisions. For all purposes hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, if in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) 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) any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized by the holders of its equity interests at such time on the first date of its existence for purposes of Section 6.10.

12.15 Construction of Agreement. The parties mutually acknowledge that they and their attorneys have participated in the preparation and negotiation of this Agreement. In cases of uncertainty this Agreement shall be construed without regard to which of the parties caused the uncertainty to exist.

12.16 Relationship. The relationship of the parties to this Agreement is determined solely by the provisions of this Agreement. The parties do not intend to create any agency, partnership, joint venture, trust, fiduciary or other relationship with duties or incidents different from those of parties to an arm’s-length contract.

12.17 Third Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, whether express or implied, is intended to: (a) confer any benefits, rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement on any persons other than the express parties to it and their respective permitted successors and assigns; (b) relieve or discharge the obligation or liability of any person not an express party to this Agreement; or (c) give any person not an express party to this Agreement any right of subrogation or action against any party to this Agreement.

12.18 Patriot Act; Compliance with Sanctions. Pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, each Loan Party must provide information to Bank that enables it to verify identification information concerning such Loan Party, including the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow Bank to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

39


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

 

AVEPOINT, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

AVEPOINT PUBLIC SECTOR, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

AVEPOINT HOLDINGS USA, LLC
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement]


HSBC VENTURES USA INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Loan and Security Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

DEFINITIONS

Accounts” means all presently existing and hereafter arising accounts, contract rights, payment intangibles and all other forms of obligations owing to any Loan Party or Subsidiary arising out of the sale or lease of goods (including, without limitation, the licensing of software and other technology) or the rendering of services by such Loan Party or Subsidiary and any and all credit insurance, guaranties, and other security therefor, as well as all merchandise returned to or reclaimed by such Loan Party or Subsidiary and BorrowerLoan Partiess Books relating to any of the foregoing.

Adjusted Quick Ratio” means the ratio of (a) Quick Assets to (b) Current Liabilities minus Deferred Revenue.

Advance” or “Advances” means a cash advance or cash advances under the Revolving Line.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any Person that owns or controls directly or indirectly such Person, any Person that controls or is controlled by or is under common control with such Person, and each of such Person’s senior executive officers, directors, and partners.

Annual Recurring Revenue” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of annualized contractually obligated revenues due to Borrower and its Subsidiaries from Recurring Revenue Contracts.

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) Bank, (b) an Affiliate of Bank or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages Bank.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of a LIBOR Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “LIBOR Interest Period” pursuant to clause (iv) of Section 2.6(d).

Availability Amount” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the Revolving Line, minus (b) Total Outstandings, minus (c) the Availability Block.

Availability Block” means, as of any date of determination, for the period commencing on the Closing Date through and including August 31, 2020, $18,000,000.

AvePoint Public Sector” means AvePoint Public Sector, Inc., a Virginia corporation and a wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary.

Bank Entities” has the meaning assigned in Section 12.9.

 

1


Bank Expenses” means all reasonable costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of outside counsel) incurred in connection with the preparation, negotiation, administration, and enforcement of the Loan Documents; reasonable Collateral audit fees; and Bank’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses of outside counsel incurred in amending, enforcing or defending the Loan Documents (including fees and expenses of appeal), incurred before, during and after an Insolvency Proceeding, whether or not suit is brought.

Bank Services” are any cash management arrangements, letters of credit, deposit accounts, business credit cards and foreign exchange services (including any FX Contracts) previously, now, or hereafter provided to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by Bank or any of Bank’s Affiliates, as any such products or services may be identified in Bank’s or such Affiliate’s various agreements related thereto (each, a “Bank Services Agreement”).

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

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

Benchmark” means, initially, LIBOR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event or an Early Opt-in Election, as applicable, and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to USD LIBOR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to clause (i) of Section 2.6(d).

Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Bank for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(a) the sum of: (ai) Term SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(b) the sum of: (i) Daily Simple SOFR and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

(c) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate (which may include Term SOFR) that has been selected by Bank and Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i1) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii2) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate of interest as a replacement to LIBORfor the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time and (bii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

provided that, ifin the case of clause (1), such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement as sois displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Bank in its reasonable discretion. If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above would be less than 1.00%the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be 1.00%the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

2


Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of LIBORthe then current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for eachany applicable LIBOR Interest Period, and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement:

(a) for purposes of clauses (a) and (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by Bank:

(i) the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such LIBOR Interest Period that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Corresponding Tenor;

(ii) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) as of the Reference Time such Benchmark Replacement is first set for such LIBOR Interest Period that would apply to the fallback rate for a derivative transaction referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon an index cessation event with respect to such Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor; and

(b) for purposes of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement,” the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by Bank and Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (ai) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of LIBORsuch Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date or (bii ) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of LIBORsuch Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities at such time;

provided that, in the case of clause (a) above, such adjustment is displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such Benchmark Replacement Adjustment from time to time as selected by Bank in its reasonable discretion.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Prime Rate,” the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “LIBOR Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions and other technical, administrative or

 

3


operational matters) that Bank decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement and to permit the administration thereof by Bank in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Bank decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Bank determines that no market practice for the administration of thesuch Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner of administration as Bank decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to LIBORthe then-current Benchmark:

 

(a)

in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of LIBORsuch Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide LIBORall Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

(b)

in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein; or

 

(c)

in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the sixth (6th) Business Day after the date notice of such Early Opt-in Election is provided to Borrower, so long as Bank 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 Borrower, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-in Election from Borrower.

For the avoidance of doubt, (a) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (b) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to LIBORthe then-current Benchmark:

 

(a)

a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of LIBORsuch Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide LIBORall Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide LIBORany Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

4


(b)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of LIBORsuch Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the U.S.Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for LIBORsuch Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for LIBORsuch Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for LIBORsuch Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of LIBORsuch Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide LIBORall Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide LIBORany Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

(c)

a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of LIBORsuch Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that LIBOR isall Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer representative.

Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, (a) inFor the caseavoidance of doubt, aBenchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (i) the applicable” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark Replacement Date and (ii) if such Benchmark Transition Event isif a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of informationset forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication) and (b) in the case of an Early Opt-in Election, the date specified by Bank by notice to Borrower, so long as Bank has not received, by such date, written notice of objection to such Early Opt-In Election from Borrowerpublished component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to LIBOR and solely to the extent that LIBOR has not been replaced with a Benchmark Replacement, the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that sucha Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced LIBORthe then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.6(d) and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced LIBORthe then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder pursuant toand under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.6(d).

Borrower’s Books” means all of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ books and records including: ledgers; records concerning Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets or liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition; and all computer programs, or tape files, and the equipment, containing such informationBeneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

5


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

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Bank is closed, and if any determination of a “Business Day” shall relate to an FX Contract, the term “Business Day” shall mean a day on which dealings are carried on in the country of settlement of the Foreign Currency. In addition, when used in connection with a LIBOR Rate Advance, the term “Business Day” is any such day that is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank market.

Cash Equivalents” means (a) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency or any State thereof having maturities of not more than one (1) year from the date of acquisition; (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year after its creation and having the highest rating from either Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to any of the foregoing; (c) Bank’s certificates of deposit issued maturing no more than one (1) year after issue; and (d) money market funds at least ninety-five percent (95%) of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (a) through (c) of this definition.

Change in Control” means :

 

(a)

a transaction in which any “person” or “group” (within the meaning of SectionSections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in RuleRules 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 a sufficient number of shares of all classes of stock then outstanding of Borrower ordinarily25% or more of the equity securities of Holdings entitled to vote infor members of the electionboard of directors, empowering or equivalent governing body of Holdings on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of Borrower, who did not have such power before such transaction (other than byhas the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

 

(b)

Holdings shall cease, directly or indirectly, to own and control legally and beneficially all of the sale of Borrower’s equity securitiesinterests in a Public Offering)Borrower.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives

 

6


thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by 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, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Chief Executive Office State” means the state where the applicable Loan Party’s chief executive office is located.

Claims” has the meaning assigned in Section 12.2.

Closing” has the meaning assigned in Section 3.1.

Closing Date” means the date on which the Closing occurs in accordance with Section 3.1.

Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York as amended or supplemented from time to time; provided, that, to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein or in any Loan Document and such term is defined differently in different Articles or Divisions of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article or Division 9 shall govern; provided, further, that in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, any or all of the attachment, perfection, or priority of, or remedies with respect to, Bank’s Lien on any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term “Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions thereof relating to such attachment, perfection, priority, or remedies and for purposes of definitions relating to such provisions.

Collateral” means the property described on Exhibit B attached hereto and all Negotiable Collateral to the extent not described in Exhibit B, except to the extent (a) any such property is nonassignable by its terms without the consent of the licensor thereof or another party (but only to the extent such prohibition on transfer is enforceable under applicable law, including, without limitation, Sections 9406 and 9408 of the Code), (b) the granting of a security interest therein is contrary to applicable law, provided that upon the cessation of any such restriction or prohibition, such property shall automatically become part of the Collateral, (c) any such property constitutes the capital stock of a controlled foreign corporation (as defined in the IRC), in excess of sixty-five percent (65%) of the voting power of all classes of capital stock of such controlled foreign corporations entitled to vote, or (d) is property (including any attachments, accessions or replacements) that is subject to a Lien that is permitted pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Liens, if the grant of a security interest with respect to such property pursuant to this Agreement would be prohibited by the agreement creating such Permitted Lien or would otherwise constitute a default thereunder, provided that such property will be deemed “Collateral” hereunder upon the termination and release of such Permitted Lien; provided that in no case shall the definition of “Collateral” exclude any Accounts, proceeds of the disposition of any property, or general intangibles consisting of rights to payment.

 

7


Collateral State” means the state or states where the Collateral having an aggregate book value in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) is located, which is New Jersey and Virginia.

Combination Effective Date” means the “Combination Effective Date” as defined in the First Amendment.

Compliance Certificate” means that certain certificate in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

Contingent Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to (a) any indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other obligation of another, including, without limitation, any such obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made or discounted or sold with recourse by that Person, or in respect of which that Person is otherwise directly or indirectly liable; (b) any obligations with respect to undrawn letters of credit, corporate credit cards or merchant services issued for the account of that Person; and (c) all obligations arising under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, or other agreement or arrangement designated to protect a Person against fluctuation in interest rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices; provided, however, that the term “Contingent Obligation” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determined amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith; provided, however, that such amount shall not in any event exceed the maximum amount of the obligations under the guarantee or other support arrangement.

Contracts” means subscription revenue contracts, maintenance renewal contracts, maintenance contracts and OEM contracts, and other contracts of a similar type, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Control Agreement” means an agreement, among a Loan Party, a depository institution or securities intermediary and Bank, which agreement is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Bank and which provides Bank with “control” (as such term is used in Article 9 of the UCC) over the deposit account(s) or securities account(s) described therein.

Copyrights” means any and all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work or authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished and whether or not the same also constitutes a trade secret, now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

 

8


Credit Extension” means any Advance, any FX Contract, amount utilized for cash management services, or any other extension of credit by Bank or its Affiliates for Borrower’s benefit.

Current Liabilities” means, as of any applicable date, all amounts that should, in accordance with GAAP, be included as current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, plus, without duplication, the aggregate amount of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ Total Liabilities that mature within one (1) year as at such date.

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

Default” means any event which with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

Default Rate” has the meaning assigned in Section 2.3(b).

Deferred Revenue” means, as of any date of determination, all amounts received or invoiced pursuant to Contracts in advance of performance under Contracts and not yet recognized as revenue but expected to be recognized as revenue within twelve (12) months from such date of determination.

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia.

Early Opt-in Election” means, if the then-current Benchmark is LIBOR, the occurrence of:

 

(a)

thea determination by Bank that with respect to the LIBOR-Based Rate, similar United Statesat least five currently outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated syndicated or bilateral credit facilities being executed at such time, or that include language similar to that contained in Section 2.6(d) are being executed or amended (as applicable) to incorporate or adopt 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 new benchmark interest rate to replace the LIBOR-Based Rate(and such credit facilities are identified in the notice to Borrower described in clause (b) below and are publicly available for review), and

 

(b)

the election by Bank to declare that an Early Opt-in Election has occurredtrigger a fallback from LIBOR and the provision by Bank of written notice of such election to Borrower.

Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, orders and the like issued by any federal state, local foreign or other governmental or quasi-governmental authority or any agency pertaining to the environment or to any hazardous materials or wastes, toxic substances, flammable, explosive or radioactive materials, asbestos or other similar materials.

 

9


Equipment” means all present and future machinery, equipment, tenant improvements, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, tools, parts and attachments in which any Loan Party has any interest.

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

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned in Section 8.

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following taxes imposed on or with respect to Bank or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to Bank: (a) taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise taxes and branch profits taxes, in each case (i) imposed by the United States or as a result of Bank being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such tax, or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) U.S. federal withholding taxes that are imposed on amounts payable to Bank to the extent that the obligation to withhold amounts existed on the date of this Agreement, and (c) any U.S. federal withholding taxes imposed under FATCA.

Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated as of May 6, 2016, by and between East West Bank and Borrower, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified and in effect prior to the date hereof.

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 more onerous to comply with), any regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the IRC, and any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the IRC and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement.

FCPA” has the meaning assigned in Section 5.18.

Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor sourceFirst Amendment” means that certain First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021, by and among Borrower, Holdings, the Guarantors, and Bank.

Floor” means one percent (1.00)%.

Foreign Currency” is lawful money of a country other than the United States.

Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement” is defined in Section 5.9(c).

 

10


Foreign Plan” has the meaning assigned in Section 5.9(c).

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

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.

FX Contract” means any foreign exchange contract by and between Borrower and Bank or any of Bank’s Affiliates under which Borrower commits to purchase from or sell to Bank or such Affiliate a specific amount of Foreign Currency on a specified date.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, as in effect from time to time in the United States.

Governmental Authority” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, any securities exchange and any self-regulatory organization.

Guarantor” means (a) AvePoint Public Sector, (b) AvePoint Holdings USA, LLC, a Virginia limited liability company, and (c) each other Domestic Subsidiary that shall be required to execute and deliver a guaranty or guaranty supplement pursuant to Section 6.10.

Guaranty” means (a) the Guaranty, dated as of the date hereof, by certain of the Guarantors in favor of Bank, (b) that certain Limited Guaranty, dated as of the Combination Effective Date, by Holdings in favor of Bank, and (c) each other guaranty entered into pursuant to Section 6.10 from time to time, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Holdings” means AvePoint, Inc., a Delaware corporation and formerly known as Apex Technology Acquisition Corp.

Indebtedness” means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services, including without limitation reimbursement and other obligations with respect to surety bonds and letters of credit, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) all capital lease obligations, and (d) all Contingent Obligations.

Indemnified Tax” has the meaning assigned in Section 2.8(a).

Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person or entity under any provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended, or under any other bankruptcy or insolvency law of any jurisdiction, including assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extension generally with its creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other relief.

 

11


Intellectual Property” means all of any Loan Parties’ or its Subsidiaries’ right, title, and interest in and to the following:

 

(a)

Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents;

 

(b)

All trade secrets, and all intellectual property rights in computer software and computer software products now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;

 

(c)

All design rights which may be available to such Loan Party or Subsidiary now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;

 

(d)

All claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement of any of the rights included above, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect such damages for said use or infringement of the intellectual property rights identified above;

 

(e)

All licenses or other rights to use any of the Copyrights, Patents or Trademarks; and

 

(f)

All amendments, renewals and extensions of any of the Copyrights, Trademarks or Patents.

Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Advance with an interest rate based on the Prime Rate, the last Business Day of each quarter during the term hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, such payment shall be an interest payment in arrears for the previous quarter), (b) as to any LIBOR Rate Advance, on the last day of any applicable LIBOR Interest Period (for the avoidance of doubt, such payment shall be an interest payment for the LIBOR Interest Period ending on such day); provided, however, that if any LIBOR Interest Period exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such LIBOR Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates, and (c) in addition to the foregoing, the date upon which Revolving Line has been terminated and the Advances have been paid in full shall be deemed to be an “Interest Payment Date” with respect to any interest which is then accrued and unpaid under this Agreement.

Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, the rate per annum determined by Bank (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the rate as displayed on the applicable Bloomberg page (or on any successor or substitute page or service providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market comparable to those currently provided on such page, as determined by Bank from time to time; in each case the “Screen Rate”) for the longest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) that is shorter than the LIBOR Interest Period and (b) the Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which that Screen Rate is available) that exceeds the Interest Period, in each case, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such LIBOR Interest Period.

Inventory” means all present and future inventory in which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary has any interest.

 

12


Investment” means any beneficial ownership of (including, without limitation, stock, partnership or limited liability company interest or other securities) any Person, or any loan, advance or capital contribution to any Person.

IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder.

ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. or such successor thereto.

LIBOR” has the meaning assigned in the definition of “LIBOR-Based Rate” hereunder.

LIBOR-Based Rate” means, for any LIBOR Interest Period, the greater of (a) the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) appearing on the applicable Bloomberg page (or on any successor or substitute page or service providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market comparable to those currently provided on such page, as determined by the Bank from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such LIBOR Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such LIBOR Interest Period; provided that (i) if such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “LIBOR-Based Rate” for such LIBOR Interest Period shall be the Interpolated Rate, and (ii) if the Interpolated Rate is not available, the “LIBOR-Based Rate” for such LIBOR Interest Period shall be the offered quotation rate to first class banks in the London interbank market by Bank for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) in Dollars of amounts in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the applicable Advance for which the LIBOR-Based Rate is then being determined with maturities comparable to such LIBOR Interest Period at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such LIBOR Interest Period and (b) 1.00%the Floor.

LIBOR Interest Period” means, with respect to any LIBOR Rate Advance, a period of one month, three months or six months, in each case subject to availability, commencing on the date the LIBOR-Based Rate becomes applicable thereto; provided, however, that: (a) the first day of each LIBOR Interest Period must be a Business Day; (b) no LIBOR Interest Period shall be selected which would extend beyond the Revolving Maturity Date; (c) any LIBOR Interest Period which would otherwise expire on a day which is not a Business Day, shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, unless the result of such extension would be to extend such LIBOR Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event the LIBOR Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business Day; and (d) any LIBOR 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 LIBOR Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of a calendar month.

LIBOR Rate Advance” has the meaning assigned in Section 2.3(a).

Lien” means any mortgage, lien, deed of trust, charge, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance.

 

13


Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, the sum of (a) the Availability Amount plus (b) the amount of unrestricted and unencumbered (other than subject to Bank’s Lien) cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accounts subject to control agreements in form and content reasonably acceptable to BankControl Agreements.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, theeach Pledge Agreement, theeach Guaranty, any note or notes executed by Borrower, and any other document, instrument or agreement entered into in connection with this Agreement, all as amended, restated, extended or otherwise modified from time to time.

Loan Party” means Borrower and each Guarantor.

Loan Parties’ Books” means all of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ books and records including: ledgers; records concerning Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets or liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition; and all computer programs, or tape files, and the equipment, containing such information.

Loan Party State” means the state under whose laws the applicable Loan Party is organized.

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material impairment in the perfection or priority of Bank’s Lien in the Collateral or in the value of such Collateral; (b) a material adverse change in the business, assets, results, operations, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrowerthe Loan Parties and itstheir Subsidiaries taken as a whole; or (c) a material impairment of the ability of Borrowerany Loan Party to repay the Obligations.

Negotiable Collateral” means all of the Loan Parties’ present and future letters of credit of which it is a beneficiary, drafts, instruments (including promissory notes), securities, documents of title, and chattel paper, and BorrowerLoan Partiess Books relating to any of the foregoing.

Obligations” means all debt, principal, interest, Bank Expenses, letters of credit and other amounts owed to Bank or Bank’s Affiliates by any Loan Party or Subsidiary thereof pursuant to this Agreement, any Bank Services Agreement or any other agreement, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, including, without limitation, all obligations relating to Bank Services, and including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding and including any debt, liability, or obligation owing from the Loan Parties to others that Bank may have obtained by assignment or otherwise.

Operating Documents” means, for any Person, such Person’s formation documents, as certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) of such Person’s jurisdiction of organization on a date that is no earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date, and, (a) if such Person is a corporation, its bylaws in current form, (b) if such Person is a limited liability company, its limited liability company agreement (or similar agreement), and (c) if such Person is a partnership, its partnership agreement (or similar agreement), each of the foregoing with all current amendments or modifications thereto.

 

14


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

Patents” means all patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisions, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same.

Patriot Act” is the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

Payment/Advance Form” has the meaning assigned in Section 2.1(b)(ii)(1).

Perfection Certificate” has the meaning assigned in Section 5.19.

Periodic Payments” means all installments or similar recurring payments that Borrower may now or hereafter become obligated to pay to Bank pursuant to the terms and provisions of any instrument, or agreement now or hereafter in existence between Borrower and Bank.

Permitted Acquisition” means the purchase or other acquisition by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties of all or substantially all of the stock and/or assets of a Person, provided that (a) the total consideration paid or payable in cash or Cash Equivalents by or on behalf of Borrower or itssuch Subsidiary for such purchase or other acquisition (including any earn-out or Contingent Obligations in respect thereof), when aggregated with the total consideration paid in cash or Cash Equivalents by or on behalf of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for all other acquisitions pursuant to this Permitted Acquisitions definition, does not exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000), (b) no Event of Default has occurred, is continuing or would exist after giving effect to such transactions, (c) such transaction would not result in a Change in Control, (d) if applicable, Borrower or another Loan Party would be the surviving entity, (e) the business acquired in connection with such acquisition is not engaged, directly or indirectly, in any line of business other than the businesses in which Borrower and its Subsidiaries are engaged on the Closing Date and any business activities that are reasonably similar, related, or incidental thereto, (f) no Indebtedness will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such acquisition, other than Permitted Indebtedness and no Liens will be incurred, assumed, or would exist with respect to the assets of Borrower or its Subsidiaries as a result of such acquisition other than Permitted Liens, (g) the subject assets or equity interests, as applicable, are being acquired directly by Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries, and, in connection therewith, Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary shall have complied with Section 6.10 and, in the case of an acquisition of equity interests, Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary shall have demonstrated to Bank that the new Subsidiary has received consideration sufficient to make the joinder documents binding and enforceable against such new Subsidiary, if applicable, (h) the proposed acquisition shall have been approved by the board of directors (or other similar body) and/or the stockholders or other equityholders of the target, (i) all transactions in connection with such acquisition shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with applicable laws, and (j) on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, the Loan Parties shall have Liquidity in an amount of at least Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00).

 

15


Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a)

Indebtedness of Borrowerthe Loan Parties in favor of Bank arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and Bank Services Agreement;

 

(b)

Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in the Schedule;

 

(c)

Indebtedness not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate outstanding at any time secured by a Lien described in clause (c) of the defined term “Permitted Liens, “provided such Indebtedness does not exceed at the time it is incurred the lesser of the cost or fair market value of the equipment financed with such Indebtedness;

 

(d)

Subordinated Debt;

 

(e)

Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(f)

Indebtedness incurred as a result of endorsing negotiable instruments received in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)

reimbursement and indemnification obligations to financial institutions in respect of letters of credit issued by such financial institutions in respect of leased premises up to a maximum principal amount not to exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00) at any time;

 

(h)

hedging agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of Borrower or any Subsidiary;

 

(i)

Indebtedness of Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary not otherwise included in clauses (a) through (h) or (j) through (o) of this definition to the extent that the aggregate principal amount thereof does not exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) at any time;

 

(j)

Indebtedness in connection with intercompany loans permitted under clause (d) of the definition of Permitted Investments; provided, that (i) in the case of Indebtedness owed to a Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by an intercompany note that shall be pledged to Bank and delivered to Bank together with an instrument of transfer or assignment, duly executed in blank, (ii) in the case of Indebtedness owed by a Loan Party to a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be subordinated on terms acceptable to Bank, and (iii) all such Indebtedness shall be on terms otherwise acceptable to Bank;

 

65


(k)

guaranties by any Subsidiary of Permitted Indebtedness of Borrower or another Subsidiary;

 

(l)

guaranties by Borrower of Permitted Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries to the extent that the aggregate amount of such Permitted Indebtedness guarantied does not exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) at any time;

 

(m)

subject to the prior written consent of Bank, unsecured Indebtedness of any Loan Party incurred pursuant to the SBA Coronavirus PPP Loan or U.S. Department of Treasury loans under the CARES Act which are in whole or part responsive to the COVID-19 pandemic, as updated by the U.S. federal government from time to time;

 

(n)

Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of credit cards in an aggregate amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) at any time; and

 

(o)

extensions, refinancings and renewals of any items of Permitted Indebtedness, provided that the principal amount is not increased or the terms modified to impose more burdensome terms upon Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the case may be.

Permitted Investment” means:

 

(a)

Investments existing on the Closing Date disclosed in the Schedule, including Investments in the Subsidiaries;

 

(b)

(i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or any State thereof maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition thereof, (ii) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year from the date of creation thereof and currently having rating of at least A-2 or P-2 from either Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global Inc., or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and any successor to any of the foregoing, (iii) Bank’s certificates of deposit maturing no more than one (1) year from the date of investment therein, (iv) Bank’s money market accounts, (v) Investments in regular deposit or checking accounts held with Bank or as otherwise permitted by, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 6.6 of this Agreement, and (vi) Investments consistent with any investment policy that Borrower’s Board of Directors adopts;

 

(c)

Investments accepted in connection with Permitted Transfers;

 

(d)

Investments, including without limitation, intercompany loans, by Subsidiaries in or to other Subsidiaries, Holdings, or Borrower; provided, however, that (i) in the case of intercompany loans, such Investments are permitted under clause (j) of the definition of “Permitted Indebtedness” and (ii) investments in Holdings and investments by Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties in Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time the result of $2,000,000 minus the aggregate amount of all Investments made pursuant to clause (e) below of this definition;

 

17


(e)

Investments, including without limitation, intercompany loans, by Borrower in Holdings or its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any Investments in Holdings or any Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties shall not exceed in the aggregate at any time the result of $2,000,000 minus the aggregate amount of all Investments made pursuant to clause (d)(ii) above of this definition;

 

(f)

Investments consisting of (i) travel advances and employee relocation loans and other employee loans and advances in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) loans to employees, officers or directors relating to the purchase of equity securities of BorrowerHoldings or its Subsidiaries pursuant to employee stock purchase plan agreements approved by BorrowerHoldingss Board of Directors not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

 

(g)

Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of customers or suppliers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers or suppliers arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

 

(h)

Investments consisting of notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other credit extensions, to customers and suppliers who are not Affiliates, in the ordinary course of business, provided that this subparagraph (h) shall not apply to Investments of Borrower in any Subsidiary;

 

(i)

Investments consisting of the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

 

(j)

joint ventures or strategic alliances in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business consisting of the non-exclusive licensing of technology, the development of technology or the providing of technical support, provided that any cash Investments by Borrowerany Loan Party or its Subsidiaries do not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

 

(k)

to the extent constituting Investments, advances in respect of transfer pricing and cost-sharing arrangements (i.e., “cost-plus” arrangements) that are in the ordinary course of business and consistent with the Loan Parties’ historical practices; and

 

(l)

Investments not otherwise included in clauses (a) through (k) of this definition to the extent that they do not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate at any time.

Permitted Liens” means the following:

 

(a)

any Liens existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in the Schedule (excluding Liens to be satisfied with the proceeds of the Advances) or arising under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or Bank Services Agreements;

 

(b)

Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental charges or levies, either not delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower maintains adequate reserves, provided the same have no priority over any of Bank’s security interests;

 

18


(c)

Liens securing Indebtedness not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) in the aggregate outstanding (i) upon or in any Equipment acquired or held by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such Equipment or indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition or lease of such Equipment, or (ii) existing on such Equipment at the time of its acquisition, provided that the Lien is confined solely to the property so acquired and improvements thereon, and the proceeds of such Equipment;

 

(d)

Liens incurred in connection with the extension, renewal or refinancing of the Indebtedness secured by Liens of the type described in clauses (a) through (c) above, provided that any extension, renewal or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the existing Lien and the principal amount of the indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced does not increase;

 

(e)

Liens arising from judgments, decrees or attachments in circumstances not constituting an Event of Default under Sections 8.5 or 8.9;

 

(f)

deposits under worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, social security and other similar laws, or to secure the performance of bids, tenders or contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds for the performance of bids, tenders or contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or to secure statutory obligations (other than liens arising under ERISA or environmental liens) or surety or appeal bonds, or to secure indemnity, performance or other similar bonds, all in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business;

 

(g)

non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted to third parties in the ordinary course of business;

 

(h)

Liens on the cash collateral held at financial institutions securing the Indebtedness described in clause (g) of the defined term “Permitted Indebtedness” in an amount not to exceed Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00);

 

(i)

Liens that constitute Permitted Transfers;

 

(j)

Liens securing claims or demands of materialmen, artisans, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other like Persons arising in the ordinary course of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ business and imposed without action of such parties; provided that the payment thereof is not yet required;

 

(k)

Liens in favor of other financial institutions arising in connection with Borrower’s deposit accounts held at such institutions to secured standard fees for deposit services charged by, but not financing made available by such institutions, provided that Bank has a perfected security interest in the amounts held in such deposit accounts;

 

19


(l)

leases or subleases of real property granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), and leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of personal property (other than Intellectual Property) granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), if the leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit granting Bank a security interest therein; and

 

(m)

statutory or common law (non-contractual) Liens of landlords.

Permitted Prior Liens” means Permitted Liens described in clauses (c), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k) (to the extent permitted under the Control Agreements relating to the deposit accounts subject to the Permitted Liens described in clause (k)) and (m) of the defined term “Permitted Liens” and as set forth in the Schedule.

Permitted Transfer” means the conveyance, sale, lease, transfer or disposition by Borrower or any Subsidiary of:

 

(a)

Inventory in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)

non-exclusive licenses and similar arrangements for the use of the property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, and exclusive licenses and similar arrangements on a case by case basis for customers in connection with custom software developed for such customers;

 

(c)

worn-out, surplus or obsolete Equipment;

 

(d)

sales of Borrower’s equity securities which do not result in a Change in Control and, to the extent such sales are to Affiliates, they are made in compliance with Section 7.8;

 

(e)

money or Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of its business for the payment of ordinary course business expenses in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement;

 

(f)

leases or subleases of real property granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), and leases, subleases, non-exclusive licenses or sublicenses of personal property (other than Intellectual Property) granted in the ordinary course of Borrower’s business (or, if referring to another Person, in the ordinary course of such Person’s business), if the leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit granting Bank a security interest therein;

 

(g)

transfers of assets from (i) a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary or Borrower and (ii) a Loan Party to another Loan Party; or

 

(h)

other assets of Borrower or its Subsidiaries that do not in the aggregate exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) during any fiscal year.

 

20


Person” means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint stock company, estate, entity or governmental agency.

Pledge Agreement” means (a) the Pledge Agreement among the Loan Parties and Bank dated as of the date hereof, (b) the Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Combination Effective Date, by and between Holdings and Bank, and (c) each other pledge agreement entered into pursuant to Section 6.10 from time to time, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Prime Rate” means the greater of (a) the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Bank as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City and (b) zero percent (0%). The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. Bank may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate. Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Public Offering” means a firmly underwritten public offering of Borrower’s common stock.

Quick Assets” means, on any date, Borrower’s consolidated, unrestricted and unencumbered (other than subject to Bank’s Lien) cash and Cash Equivalents, plus net billed accounts receivable, in each case determined according to GAAP.

Recurring Revenue Contracts” means subscription revenue contracts, maintenance renewal contracts, maintenance contracts and OEM contracts, and other contracts of a similar type that are recurring in nature, of Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise agreed to by Bank, Recurring Revenue Contracts shall not include (a) Contracts from revenue that is not recurring in nature, such as revenue contracts from licenses and services products; (b) Contracts for which the customer thereunder has failed to pay to Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary any amounts due to Borrower or such Subsidiary under any of such Contracts within ninety (90) days from the invoice date; (c) Contracts which the customer thereunder has elected to cancel or has failed to renew within the time period prescribed in such Contracts unless and until such customer subsequently notifies Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary that it has elected to re-start or renew such Contracts; and (d) Contracts with respect to which the customer is subject to an insolvency proceeding, or becomes insolvent, or goes out of business.

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is LIBOR, 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the day that is two London banking days preceding the date of such setting, and (b) if such Benchmark is not LIBOR, the time determined by Bank in its reasonable discretion.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Board and/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 Board and/System or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto.

 

21


Responsible Officer” means each of the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Operating Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower.

Revolving Line” means an aggregate principal amount not to exceed Thirty Million Dollars ($30,000,000.00), except as such amount may be increased pursuant to Section 2.1(c).

Revolving Maturity Date” means April 7, 2023.

Sanctions” has the meaning assigned in Section 5.17.

Schedule” means the schedule of exceptions attached hereto and approved by Bank, if any.

Shares” means (a) sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and outstanding voting capital stock, membership units or other securities owned or held of record by each Loan Party in any direct wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary, (b) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding non-voting capital stock, membership units or other securities owned or held of record by each Loan Party in any direct wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiary, and (c) one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding capital stock, membership units or other securities owned or held of record by each Loan Party or any Domestic Subsidiary in any wholly-owned Subsidiary which is an entity organized under the laws of the United States or any territory thereof.

SOFR” means, with respect to any day,Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the secured overnight financing rate for such Business Day published for such day by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as the administrator of the benchmark, (or a successor administrator) on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means 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 SOFR Administrator from time to time.

Solvent” means, as to any Person, such Person is able to pay its debts (including trade debts) as they mature; the fair saleable value of such Person’s assets (including goodwill minus disposition costs) exceeds the fair value of its liabilities; and such Person is not left with unreasonably small capital after the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

SOS Reports” means the official reports from the Secretaries of State of each Collateral State, Chief Executive Office State and each Loan Party State and other applicable federal, state or local government offices identifying all current security interests filed in the Collateral and Liens of record as of the date of such report.

Subordinated Debt” means any debt incurred by Borrower that is subordinated in writing to the debt owing by Borrower to Bank on terms reasonably acceptable to Bank (and identified as being such by Borrower and Bank).

 

22


Subsidiary” means any corporation, partnership or limited liability company or joint venture in which (a) any general partnership interest or (b) more than fifty percent (50%) of the stock, limited liability company interest or joint venture of which by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect the board of directors, managers or trustees of the entity, at the time as of which any determination is being made, is owned by Borrower, either directly or through an Affiliate.

Term SOFR” means, for the applicable Corresponding Tenor as of the applicable Reference Time, the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body.

Total Liabilities” means, on any day, obligations that should, under GAAP, be classified as liabilities on Borrower’s consolidated balance sheet, including all Indebtedness.

Total Outstandings” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Advances.

Trademarks” means any trademark and servicemark rights, whether registered or not, applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Borrower connected with and symbolized by such trademarks.

UK Bribery Act” has the meaning assigned in Section 5.18.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

23


DEBTOR

   [APPLICABLE LOAN PARTY] (“Debtor”)

SECURED PARTY:

   HSBC VENTURES USA INC.
EXHIBIT B

COLLATERAL DESCRIPTION ATTACHMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

All personal property of Debtor of every kind, whether presently existing or hereafter created or acquired, and wherever located, including, but not limited to: (a) all accounts (including health-care-insurance receivables), chattel paper (including tangible and electronic chattel paper), deposit accounts, documents (including negotiable documents), equipment (including all accessions and additions thereto), general intangibles (including payment intangibles and software), goods (including fixtures), instruments (including promissory notes), inventory (including all goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, and including returns and repossessions), investment property (including securities and securities entitlements), letter of credit rights, money, and all of Debtor’s books and records with respect to any of the foregoing, and the computers and equipment containing said books and records; and

(b) any and all cash proceeds and/or noncash proceeds thereof, including, without limitation, insurance proceeds, and all supporting obligations and the security therefor or for any right to payment.

All terms above have the meanings given to them in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral shall not include any Intellectual Property (defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired; provided, however, that the Collateral shall include all accounts and general intangibles that consist of rights to payment from the sale, licensing or disposition of all or any part of, or rights in, the Intellectual Property (the “Rights to Payment”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a judicial authority (including a U.S. Bankruptcy Court) holds that a security interest in the underlying Intellectual Property is necessary to have a security interest in the Rights to Payment, then the Collateral shall automatically, and effective as of April 7, 2020, include the Intellectual Property to the extent necessary to permit perfection of Bank’s security interest in the Rights to Payment.

“Intellectual Property”means all of Debtor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following:

 

(a)

Copyrights, Trademarks and Patents;

 

(b)

All trade secrets and intellectual property rights in computer software and computer software products now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;

 

(c)

All design rights which may be available to Debtor now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;

 

1


(d)

All claims for damages by way of past, present and future infringement of any of the rights included above, with the right, but not the obligation, to sue for and collect such damages for said use or infringement of the intellectual property rights identified above;

 

(e)

All licenses or other rights to use any of the Copyrights, Patents or Trademarks; and

 

(f)

All amendments, renewals and extensions of any of the Copyrights, Trademarks or Patents.

Copyrights” means all copyright rights, copyright applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work or authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished and whether or not the same also constitutes a trade secret, now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held.

Patents” means all patents, patent applications and like protections including without limitation improvements, divisions, continuations, renewals, reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same.

Trademarks” means any trademark and servicemark rights, whether registered or not, applications to register and registrations of the same and like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Debtor connected with and symbolized by such trademarks.

 

2


EXHIBIT C

PAYMENT/ADVANCE FORM

[See attached.]


PAYMENT/ADVANCE FORM

HSBC Bank USA, National Association

95 Washington Street

Atrium 2SE

Buffalo, NY 14203

Attn: CMB Loan Service Team

Telephone: 716-841-6444

Email: CMB.Loan.Service@us.hsbc.com

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned, AVEPOINTAvePoint US, INC.LLC, as Borrower (“Borrower”), refers to that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”; defined terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement), among Borrower, HSBC VENTURES USA INC., as Bank, and the Guarantors party thereto, and hereby gives Bank irrevocable notice, pursuant to Section 2.1(b)(ii)(1) of the Loan Agreement, that Borrower hereby requests an Advance under the Loan Agreement, and in connection therewith sets forth below the information relating to such Advance (the “Proposed Advance”) as required by Section 2.1(b)(ii)(1) of the Loan Agreement:

 

(i)

The requested funding date (which is a Business Day) of the Proposed Advance is             , 20__.

 

(ii)

The aggregate amount of the Proposed Advance is $             .

 

(iii)

The Proposed Advance will subject to the LIBOR-Rate with an LIBOR Interest Period of [thirty (30) days][sixty (60) days][ninety (90) days][one hundred eighty (180) days]1.

All requests must be received by 12 PM New York City time, two (2) Business Days prior to the requested funding date of the Proposed Advance.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

1 

Select appropriate interest period for Advance by removing brackets and deleting other inapplicable interest periods.


AVEPOINT US, INC.LLC, as Borrower
By:           
Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Payment/Advance Form]


EXHIBIT D
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Please send all Required Reporting to:    HSBC Ventures USA Inc.
      452 Fifth Avenue
      New York, NY 10018
FROM: AVEPOINT, INC. [_____]       Email: jan.luehrs@us.hsbc.com

The undersigned Responsible Officer of AvePoint, Inc.[         ] (Borrower), hereby certifies that in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Loan and Security Agreement among Borrower, the Guarantors and HSBC Ventures USA Inc. dated as of April 7, 2020 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”; initially capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement), (i) the Loan Parties are in complete compliance for the period ending                      with all required covenants, including without limitation the ongoing registration of intellectual property rights in accordance with Section 6.8, except as noted below and (ii) all representations and warranties of the Loan Parties stated in the Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, provided, however, that (A) no materiality qualifier shall be applicable to (1) such representations and warranties made as of the Closing Date, and (2) any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof and (B) those representations and warranties expressly referring to another date shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of such date. Attached herewith are the required documents supporting the above certification. The Responsible Officer further certifies that these are prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and are consistently applied from one period to the next except as explained in an accompanying letter or footnotes.

 

REPORTING COVENANTS

  

REQUIRED

   COMPLIES  
Company Prepared Quarterly F/S    Quarterly, within 45 days      YES        NO  
Compliance Certificate    Quarterly, within 45 days      YES        NO  
CPA Audited, Unqualified F/S    Annually, within 18090 days of FYE      YES        NO  
A/R and A/P Agings    Quarterly, within 45 days      YES        NO  
Annual Business Plan (incl. operating budget)    Within 60 days after FYE      YES        NO  
Audit    Annual      YES        NO  
If Public:         
10-Q    Quarterly, within 5 days of SEC filing (50 days)      YES        NO  
10-K    Annually, within 5 days of SEC filing (95 days)      YES        NO  
Total amount of Loan Parties’ cash in United States, Singapore and Germany    Amount $                                                   
Total amount of Loan Parties’ cash in United States, Singapore and Germany maintained with Bank and Bank’s Affiliates    Amount $                                                   YES        NO  

 

FINANCIAL COVENANT

   REQUIRED      ACTUAL      COMPLIES     

 

 

TO BE TESTED QUARTERLY, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED:

           

Minimum Adjusted Quick Ratio

     1.50:1.00        ________________:1.00        YES        NO  

Annual Recurring Revenue

     Refer to Section      $                                                       YES        NO  
     6.7 of Agreement           

Please Enter Below Comments Regarding Violations:

The Responsible Officer further acknowledges that at any time Borrower is not in compliance with all the terms set forth in the Agreement, including, without limitation, the financial covenants, no Advances will be made.


Very truly yours,
        
Authorized Signer
Name:
Title:


ANNEX B

Assignment and Assumption Agreement

[See attached.]


Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This ASSIGNMENT and ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2021 (this “Agreement”) is entered into between AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Assignor”), and AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignee”), and consented to by HSBC Ventures USA Inc. (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Bank”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Assignor has entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including as amended by that certain Limited Consent and First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “First Amendment”), the “LSA”), among the Assignor, as the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Bank and certain other parties party thereto from time to time;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Combination Agreement (as defined in the First Amendment), the Assignor shall merge with and into the Assignee, with the Assignee as the surviving entity and as a result of which, the Assignee shall assume all rights and obligations of the Assignor by operation of law, including such rights and obligations of Assignor as the “Borrower” under the LSA and the other Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS, the Assignor wishes to assign, transfer and convey to the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights as the “Borrower” under, and the Assignee wishes to assume from the Assignor all of the Assignor’s obligations and liabilities as “Borrower” under, the LSA and the other Loan Documents (as each of such terms is defined in the LSA).

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

I. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the LSA.

II. Assignment and Assumption.

1. Assignment of Rights and Obligations. At the time the Second Certificate of Merger (as defined in the Combination Agreement) is duly filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and the Second Merger (as defined in the Combination Agreement) becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), the Assignor hereby reaffirms and ratifies the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted and pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents to the Bank as collateral security for the Obligations and irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys to the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights, indebtedness, Obligations (including, without limitation, all Obligations in respect of the Advances), covenants, agreements, terms, conditions, duties and liabilities as the “Borrower” and a “Loan Party” under or with respect to the LSA, any of the other Loan Documents and any and all certificates and other documents executed by the Assignor in connection therewith (collectively, the “Assumed Obligations”).


2. Assumption of Agreements and Obligations. Effective as of the Effective Time and the execution by the Assignee of this Agreement, the Assignee hereby (a) expressly assumes, confirms and agrees to perform and observe all of the Assumed Obligations as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under and with respect to the LSA, any of the other Loan Documents and any and all certificates and other documents executed by the Assignor in connection therewith as fully as if the Assignee were originally the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” in respect thereof and the signatory thereto, (b) reaffirms and ratifies its grant and pledge to Bank of a security interest in the Collateral to secure prompt repayment of any and all Obligations and prompt performance by it of each of its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents, and the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted and pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents to the Bank as collateral security for the Obligations and (c) acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore granted, pledged or otherwise created as security for the Obligations continue to be and remain collateral security for the Obligations from and after the date hereof. The Assignee shall become a party to each Loan Document to which the Assignor is a party by its execution of this Agreement, to the extent the Assignee is not already party to such Loan Document.

3. Representation and Warranties. To induce the Bank to consent to the assignment and assumption provided for herein, the Assignee hereby represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by the Assignee as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under the Loan Documents are true and correct, and that the representations and warranties made by the Assignor as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under the Loan Documents are, as to the Assignee, (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, true and correct (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, are true and correct in all material respects (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

III. General.

1. Due Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. Each of Assignor and Assignee represents and warrants that the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement are within the Assignor or Assignee’s powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized, and (a) are not in conflict with nor constitute a breach of any provision contained in the Assignor or Assignee’s Operating Documents, as applicable, (b) do not contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material requirement of applicable law, (c) do not contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority in the United States by which the Assignor or Assignee or any of their property or assets, as applicable, may be bound or affected, (d) do not require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or approval from, any Governmental Authority in the United States (except such approvals which have already been obtained and are

 

2


in full force and effect), and (e) do not constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which the Assignor or Assignee, as applicable, is bound. Neither the Assignor nor the Assignee is in default under any agreement by which it is bound, except to the extent such default would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Assignor and the Assignee. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Assignor and the Assignee, enforceable against each of the Assignor and Assignee in accordance with its terms.

2. No Amendments; Confirmation. Each Loan Document is hereby deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary for Assignee to become a party thereunder and to effect the assignment and assumption provided for hereby. Except as expressly amended, modified and supplemented hereby, the provisions of the LSA and the other Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect.

3. Further Assurances; Notices. Each of Assignor and the Assignee agrees to execute such further documents and to do such further things as the Bank may reasonably request in order to more fully effect this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The address for notices for the Assignee given pursuant to the LSA and the other Loan Documents shall be as set forth below:

c/o AvePoint, Inc.

Riverfront Plaza West

901 East Byrd Street, 9th Floor

Richmond, VA 23219

Attn: General Counsel

Email: legal@avepoint.com

4. Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the LSA nor shall anything contained herein be deemed to imply any willingness of the Bank to agree to, or otherwise prejudice any rights of the Bank with respect to, any similar amendments, consents, waivers or agreements that may be requested for any future period, and this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other provision of the Loan Documents or to permit any Loan Party to take any other action which is prohibited by the terms of the LSA or the other Loan Documents. Each reference in the LSA or any other Loan Document to this “Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof”, or words of like import referring to the Agreement or any other Loan Document shall mean and refer to such agreement as supplemented by this Amendment. This Agreement is a Loan Document. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. This Agreement and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating thereto and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic

 

3


signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity and 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, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

4


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVEPOINT OPERATIONS, INC. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, as Assignor
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

Name: Brian Michael Brown
Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
AVEPOINT US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, as Assignee
By:  

/s/ Michael Brown

Name: Brian Michael Brown
Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

 

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]


Accepted and agreed to:
HSBC VENTURES USA INC.,
By:  

/s/ Prasant Chunduru

  Name: Prasant Chunduru
  Title: SVP, Head of Venture Debt

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]

INTERNAL

Exhibit 10.22

Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

This ASSIGNMENT and ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2021 (this “Agreement”) is entered into between AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), a Delaware corporation (the “Assignor”), and AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company (the “Assignee”), and consented to by HSBC Ventures USA Inc. (together with its successors and permitted assigns, the “Bank”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Assignor has entered into that certain Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020 (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including as amended by that certain Limited Consent and First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “First Amendment”), the “LSA”), among the Assignor, as the Borrower, the other Loan Parties party thereto, the Bank and certain other parties party thereto from time to time;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Combination Agreement (as defined in the First Amendment), the Assignor shall merge with and into the Assignee, with the Assignee as the surviving entity and as a result of which, the Assignee shall assume all rights and obligations of the Assignor by operation of law, including such rights and obligations of Assignor as the “Borrower” under the LSA and the other Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS, the Assignor wishes to assign, transfer and convey to the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights as the “Borrower” under, and the Assignee wishes to assume from the Assignor all of the Assignor’s obligations and liabilities as “Borrower” under, the LSA and the other Loan Documents (as each of such terms is defined in the LSA).

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

I. Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to them in the LSA.

 

  II.

Assignment and Assumption.

1. Assignment of Rights and Obligations. At the time the Second Certificate of Merger (as defined in the Combination Agreement) is duly filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware and the Second Merger (as defined in the Combination Agreement) becomes effective (the “Effective Time”), the Assignor hereby reaffirms and ratifies the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted and pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents to the Bank as collateral security for the Obligations and irrevocably assigns, transfers and conveys to the Assignee all of the Assignor’s rights, indebtedness, Obligations (including, without limitation, all Obligations in respect of the Advances), covenants, agreements, terms, conditions, duties and liabilities as the “Borrower” and a “Loan Party” under or with respect to the LSA, any of the other Loan Documents and any and all certificates and other documents executed by the Assignor in connection therewith (collectively, the “Assumed Obligations”).


2. Assumption of Agreements and Obligations. Effective as of the Effective Time and the execution by the Assignee of this Agreement, the Assignee hereby (a) expressly assumes, confirms and agrees to perform and observe all of the Assumed Obligations as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under and with respect to the LSA, any of the other Loan Documents and any and all certificates and other documents executed by the Assignor in connection therewith as fully as if the Assignee were originally the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” in respect thereof and the signatory thereto, (b) reaffirms and ratifies its grant and pledge to Bank of a security interest in the Collateral to secure prompt repayment of any and all Obligations and prompt performance by it of each of its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents, and the validity and enforceability of all of the Liens and security interests heretofore granted and pledged pursuant to the Loan Documents to the Bank as collateral security for the Obligations and (c) acknowledges that all of such Liens and security interests, and all Collateral heretofore granted, pledged or otherwise created as security for the Obligations continue to be and remain collateral security for the Obligations from and after the date hereof. The Assignee shall become a party to each Loan Document to which the Assignor is a party by its execution of this Agreement, to the extent the Assignee is not already party to such Loan Document.

3. Representation and Warranties. To induce the Bank to consent to the assignment and assumption provided for herein, the Assignee hereby represents and warrants that the representations and warranties made by the Assignee as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under the Loan Documents are true and correct, and that the representations and warranties made by the Assignor as the “Borrower” or a “Loan Party” under the Loan Documents are, as to the Assignee, (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, true and correct (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date) and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, are true and correct in all material respects (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date).

 

  III.

General.

1. Due Execution and Delivery; Enforceability. Each of Assignor and Assignee represents and warrants that the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement are within the Assignor or Assignee’s powers, as applicable, have been duly authorized, and (a) are not in conflict with nor constitute a breach of any provision contained in the Assignor or Assignee’s Operating Documents, as applicable, (b) do not contravene, conflict with, constitute a default under or violate any material requirement of applicable law, (c) do not contravene, conflict or violate any applicable order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award of any Governmental Authority in the United States by which the Assignor or Assignee or any of their property or assets, as applicable, may be bound or affected, (d) do not require any action by, filing, registration, or qualification with, or approval from, any Governmental Authority in the United States (except such approvals which have already been obtained and are

 

2


in full force and effect), and (e) do not constitute an event of default under any material agreement by which the Assignor or Assignee, as applicable, is bound. Neither the Assignor nor the Assignee is in default under any agreement by which it is bound, except to the extent such default would not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of the Assignor and the Assignee. This Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of the Assignor and the Assignee, enforceable against each of the Assignor and Assignee in accordance with its terms.

2. No Amendments; Confirmation. Each Loan Document is hereby deemed to be amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary for Assignee to become a party thereunder and to effect the assignment and assumption provided for hereby. Except as expressly amended, modified and supplemented hereby, the provisions of the LSA and the other Loan Documents are and shall remain in full force and effect.

3. Further Assurances; Notices. Each of Assignor and the Assignee agrees to execute such further documents and to do such further things as the Bank may reasonably request in order to more fully effect this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The address for notices for the Assignee given pursuant to the LSA and the other Loan Documents shall be as set forth below:

c/o AvePoint, Inc.

Riverfront Plaza West

901 East Byrd Street, 9th Floor

Richmond, VA 23219

Attn: General Counsel

Email: legal@avepoint.com

4. Miscellaneous. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to constitute an amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the LSA nor shall anything contained herein be deemed to imply any willingness of the Bank to agree to, or otherwise prejudice any rights of the Bank with respect to, any similar amendments, consents, waivers or agreements that may be requested for any future period, and this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any other provision of the Loan Documents or to permit any Loan Party to take any other action which is prohibited by the terms of the LSA or the other Loan Documents. Each reference in the LSA or any other Loan Document to this “Agreement”, “hereunder”, “herein”, “hereof”, “thereunder”, “therein”, “thereof”, or words of like import referring to the Agreement or any other Loan Document shall mean and refer to such agreement as supplemented by this Amendment. This Agreement is a Loan Document. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. This Agreement and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating thereto and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature” and words of like import in this Agreement or any other document executed in connection herewith 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 and 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, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank.]

 

3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

AVEPOINT OPERATIONS, INC. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), a Delaware corporation, as Assignor
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

Name: Brian Michael Brown
Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel
AVEPOINT US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC), a Delaware limited liability company, as Assignee
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

Name: Brian Michael Brown
Title: Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]


Accepted and agreed to:

HSBC VENTURES USA INC.,

By:

 

/s/ Prasant Chunduru

Name: Prasant Chunduru

Title: SVP, Head of Venture Debt

[Signature Page to Assignment and Assumption Agreement]

INTERNAL

Exhibit 10.23

Execution Version

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 1, 2021, by and between AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.), a Delaware corporation (“Pledgor”) and HSBC VENTURES USA INC. (“Bank”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Bank is party to the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020 (as amended by the Limited Consent and First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein without definition have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement), with Pledgor and AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC) (successor by merger to AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), “Borrower”), which provides for extensions of credit to be made by Bank to Borrower from time to time;

WHEREAS, Pledgor has provided a limited guaranty of the Obligations of Borrower and the other Loan Parties (such guaranteed Obligations, the “Guaranteed Obligations”) pursuant to the Limited Guaranty, dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Limited Guaranty”), by Pledgor in favor of Bank; and

WHEREAS, the Loan Agreement requires that Pledgor secure its obligations under the Limited Guaranty by granting Bank a first priority Lien against all of the outstanding capital stock, equity interests, membership units, other securities and other ownership or profit interests in Borrower of which Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner (the “Pledged Equity”), including, without limitation, the capital stock, equity interests, membership units, other securities and other ownership or profit interests listed on Exhibit A attached hereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED THAT:

1. PLEDGE.

(a) As security for the full and prompt performance of all Guaranteed Obligations, Pledgor hereby collaterally assigns, pledges and grants a security interest to Bank in the Pledged Equity and to the extent stock certificate(s) exist for the applicable Pledged Equity delivers to Bank such stock certificate(s), duly endorsed in blank or together with duly executed stock assignment(s) in favor of Bank, representing such applicable Pledged Equity (the “Collateral”), and grants to Bank a security interest in the Collateral, together with whatever is receivable or received when the Collateral or proceeds thereof are sold, collected, exchanged or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary, and all proceeds thereof, dividends and distributions thereon, additions thereto and substitutions therefor, including all new or substituted or additional shares, other securities, cash or other properties distributed with respect to the foregoing stock or other securities subject to this Agreement, whether as a result of merger, consolidation, dissolution, reorganization, recapitalization, interest payment, stock split, stock dividend, other dividend or distribution, reclassification, redemption or any other change declared or made in the capital structure of the issuer of any of the Pledged Equity, or otherwise (collectively, the “Proceeds”), such Proceeds to be held by Bank in the same manner as the property originally pledged hereunder, except as otherwise provided in Section 2. The Collateral and the Proceeds are herein collectively referred to as the “Pledged Collateral.”


(b) Upon any Pledgor’s acquisition of any additional shares of capital stock or other securities of Borrower, such Pledgor shall execute and deliver a Supplement to Pledge Agreement, substantially in the form of Exhibit B, and to the extent stock certificate(s) exist for such additional Pledged Equity, deliver to Bank such stock certificates, duly endorsed in blank or together with duly executed stock assignments in favor of Bank, representing such shares or other securities required to maintain the pledge of the outstanding securities of the issuing entity, which shall thereupon become Collateral for purposes of this Agreement.

(c) All certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the Pledged Collateral shall be delivered to and held by Bank pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Bank. Bank shall have the right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

(d) To the extent required by the terms and conditions governing the Pledged Equity, Pledgor shall cause the books of each entity whose Pledged Equity are part of the Pledged Collateral and any transfer agent to reflect the pledge of the Pledged Equity. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Bank may effect the transfer of any securities included in the Pledged Collateral (including but not limited to the Pledged Equity) into the name of Bank and cause new certificates representing such securities to be issued in the name of Bank or its transferee. Pledgor will execute and deliver such documents, and take or cause to be taken such actions, as Bank may reasonably request to perfect or continue the perfection of Bank’s security interest in the Pledged Equity.

2. RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Pledgor shall be entitled to collect and receive for Pledgor’s own use, and shall not be required to deliver to Bank any dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions paid in respect of the Pledged Equity, except such dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions as are prohibited under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided, however, that until actually paid, all rights to any such permitted dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions shall remain subject to the Lien created by this Agreement. During the continuance of an Event of Default, all rights of Pledgor to receive dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions shall cease and all rights to dividends, cash, securities and other distributions shall thereupon be vested in Bank; Bank shall thereupon have the sole right to receive and hold as Pledged Collateral such dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions. All dividends, cash, securities, instruments and other distributions which Pledgor receives in violation of the provisions of this section shall be received in trust for Bank’s benefit, be segregated from the property or funds of Pledgor, and shall be forthwith delivered to Bank as Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

 

2


3. IRREVOCABLE PROXY/VOTING RIGHTS. So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, subject to any other applicable provision of this Agreement, Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, provided that no vote shall be cast or consent, waiver or ratification given or action taken which would (a) constitute or create any violation of any of such terms or (b) have the effect of impairing the position or interest of Bank in respect of the Pledged Collateral. During the continuance of an Event of Default, all rights of Pledgor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which Pledgor would otherwise be entitled to exercise hereunder shall cease upon notice from Bank, whereupon all such rights shall become vested in Bank (whether or not the Pledged Collateral shall have been transferred into its name or the name of its nominee or nominees), which shall thereupon have the sole right to exercise such voting and other consensual rights for any lawful purpose, including, without limitation, if Bank so elects, for the liquidation of the assets of Borrower, and to give all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect of the Pledged Collateral and otherwise act with respect thereto as though it were the outright owner thereof (and Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing Bank the proxy and attorney-in-fact of Pledgor, with full power of substitution, to do so) until it gives notice to Pledgor of its relinquishment of such rights, whereupon all such rights shall be revested with Pledgor.

4. RELEASE OF PLEDGE. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, Bank shall release the Pledged Collateral from pledge hereunder upon full payment to Bank of all Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) and termination or expiration of Bank’s obligation to lend to Borrower under Loan Agreement and upon such release Bank shall deliver to Pledgor all Pledged Collateral of Pledgor then in Bank’s possession.

5. CONTINUING AGREEMENT; REVOCATION; OBLIGATIONS UNDER OTHER AGREEMENT. This is a continuing agreement and all rights, powers and remedies hereunder shall apply to all past, present and future Guaranteed Obligations of Pledgor to Bank, including those arising under successive transactions which shall either continue the Guaranteed Obligations, increase or decrease them, or from time to time create new Guaranteed Obligations whether or not any prior Guaranteed Obligations have been satisfied, and notwithstanding the bankruptcy of Pledgor. Pledgor’s obligations hereunder shall be in addition to any obligations of Pledgor or any other Person under any other pledges of security or guaranties for the Obligations heretofore given (including other security that Bank holds pursuant to the Loan Agreement or any agreement, document or other instrument referenced therein), now or hereafter to be given to Bank.

6. REINSTATEMENT OF LIABILITY. Pledgor’s liability hereunder shall be reinstated and revived and Bank’s rights shall continue with respect to any amount paid on account of the Guaranteed Obligations secured hereby which shall thereafter be required to be restored or returned by Bank upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of Pledgor or any other Person or for any other reason, all as though such amount had not been paid.

7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Pledgor represents and warrants to Bank as follows:

(a) Pledgor has the right and lawful authority to pledge the Pledged Collateral;

 

3


(b) The Pledged Collateral is genuine and is owned by Pledgor, free and clear of all Liens (except Permitted Liens), adverse claims, defenses, rights of set-offs and counterclaims of any kind or character except for the security interest created hereunder, and as of the date hereof constitutes 100% of the issued and outstanding capital stock, equity interests, membership units, other securities and other ownership or profit interests of Borrower;

(c) No authorization, approval or other action by and no notice to or filing with any governmental authority is required for the pledge hereunder;

(d) The security interest created by this Agreement constitutes a valid and perfected Lien in all of the Pledged Collateral for payment and performance of the Obligations;

(e) Pledgor’s execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement (i) are within Pledgor’s powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary action; (ii) do not contravene Pledgor’s charter documents or any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting Pledgor or by which Pledgor’s property may be affected; (iii) do not require any authorization or approval or other action by, or any notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or any other Person except such as have been obtained or made; and (iv) do not, except as contemplated by the Limited Guaranty, the Loan Agreement or this Agreement, result in the imposition or creation of any Lien;

(f) This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Pledgor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally; and

(g) (i) The name of the Pledgor as it appears on its Certificate of Incorporation is AvePoint, Inc., (ii) the Pledgor has not used any name (including fictitious names, d/b/a’s, trade names or similar names) other than the name specified in preceding clause and Apex Technology Acquisition Corp. within the past five (5) years, (iii) the Pledgor has not merged with or into any entities within the past five (5) years, and (iv) the chief executive office and books and records of the Pledgor are presently located at 525 Washington Blvd Suite 1400, Jersey City, NJ 07310.

8. COVENANTS OF PLEDGORS. During the term hereof, Pledgor covenants as follows:

(a) Pledgor shall execute and deliver such documents and take all such further action as Bank reasonably deems necessary to create, perfect, protect or continue the Lien contemplated hereby or to exercise or enforce its rights hereunder;

(b) Pledgor shall not permit any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on the Pledged Collateral, except in favor of Bank;

(c) Pledgor shall not change the place where Pledgor keeps any of its records concerning the Pledged Collateral without giving Bank thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of the address to which Pledgor is moving such books and records; and

 

4


(d) Pledgor shall provide any service and do any other acts or things necessary to keep the Pledged Collateral free and clear of all Liens, adverse claims, defenses, rights of set-offs and counterclaims.

9. CASH COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Any money that Bank receives in respect of the Pledged Collateral may, at Bank’s option, and subject to Section 2, be retained in a non-interest bearing cash collateral account and shall, for all purposes, be deemed Pledged Collateral.

10. BANK’S CARE AND DELIVERY OF COLLATERAL. Bank’s obligations with respect to the Pledged Collateral in its possession shall be strictly limited to the duty to exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of such Pledged Collateral, and such duty shall not include any obligation to ascertain or to initiate any action with respect to or to inform Pledgor of maturity dates, conversion, call, exchange rights, offers to purchase the Pledged Collateral or any similar matters, notwithstanding Bank’s knowledge of these matters. Bank shall not have any duty to take any steps necessary to preserve Pledgor’s rights against prior parties or to initiate any action to protect against the possibility of a decline in the market value of the Pledged Collateral. Bank shall not be obligated to take any actions that Pledgor requests with respect to the Pledged Collateral unless (i) such request is made in writing and Bank determines, in its sole discretion, that the requested actions would not unreasonably jeopardize the value of the Pledged Collateral as security for the Guaranteed Obligations, and (ii) Pledgor promptly reimburses Bank for the fees and expenses incurred in undertaking such actions. Such fees and expenses shall constitute Bank Expenses. Bank may at any time deliver the Pledged Collateral, or any part thereof, to Pledgor, and the receipt thereof by Pledgor shall be a complete and full acquittance for the Pledged Collateral so delivered, and Bank shall thereafter be discharged from any liability or responsibility therefor.

11. PAYMENT OF TAXES, CHARGES, LIENS AND ASSESSMENTS. Pledgor agrees to pay, prior to delinquency, all taxes, charges, Liens and assessments (other than Permitted Liens) against the Pledged Collateral and, upon Pledgor’s failure to do so, Bank, at its sole option, may pay any of them and shall be the sole judge of the legality or validity thereof and the amount necessary to discharge them. Any such payments made by Bank shall constitute Bank Expenses; provided that Bank shall give Pledgor prior written notice of its intent to spend more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in accordance with this Section.

12. MANNER OF DISPOSITION. Pledgor recognizes that Bank may be unable to effect a public sale of all or part of the Pledged Collateral by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), or in applicable state securities laws as now or hereafter in effect, unless registration or qualification, as the case may be, is accomplished. Pledgor acknowledges that Bank may resort to one or more private sales to a single purchaser or a restricted group of purchasers who will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire such Pledged Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Pledgor agrees that private sales may be at prices and other terms less favorable to Pledgor than if such Pledged Collateral were sold at public sale and that Bank has no obligation to delay the sale of any such portion of the Pledged Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register such securities, even if it would, or should, proceed to register such securities for public sale. Pledgor agrees that private sales made under the foregoing circumstances shall be deemed to have been made in a “commercially reasonable”

 

5


manner. Pledgor agrees that Bank need not approach such number and quantity of possible buyers so as to be in violation of the Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or any applicable state securities laws and that Bank need not approach the maximum number of possible buyers under the foregoing laws. Pledgor agrees that Bank shall not have any liability, direct or indirect, for any short-swing profits liability Pledgor incurs under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act as a result of Bank’s disposition of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral and that a disposition shall not be deemed made in bad faith or in a commercially unreasonable manner for purposes of the Code if it gives rise to short-swing profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

13. NOTICES. Notices shall be given in accordance with Section 17 of the Limited Guaranty.

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; AMENDMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between Pledgor and Bank with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous negotiations, communications, discussions and correspondence concerning the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended or modified only with the written consent of Bank and Pledgor.

15. BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Pledgor and Bank and their respective successors and assigns permitted under the Limited Guaranty and the Loan Agreement, except that Pledgor shall not have the right to assign its rights and obligations hereunder or any interest herein without Bank’s prior written consent.

16. SEVERABILITY. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

17. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

18. SURVIVAL. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, notwithstanding any investigation made by Bank or any of its representatives or agents.

19. CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER; JUDICIAL REFERENCE.

This Agreement and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating and the transactions contemplated by such documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of any federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in such State in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any action taken or omitted hereunder, and waives any claim of forum non

 

6


conveniens and any objections as to laying of venue. Each party further waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process, right to a jury trial and agrees that service thereof may be made by certified or registered mail directed to such Person at such Person’s address for purposes of notices hereunder and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of such Person’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, PLEDGOR AND BANK EACH WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR BOTH PARTIES TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.

This Section 19 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

7


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto executed this Pledge Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

HSBC VENTURES USA INC.
By:  

/s/ Prasant Chunduru

Name:   Prasant Chunduru
Title:   SVP, Head of Venture Debt
AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.)
By:  

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

Name:   Brian Michael Brown
Title:   Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel

[Signature Page to Pledge Agreement (Parent)]


EXHIBIT A

PLEDGED EQUITY

 

Issuer

  

Pledgor

  

Type of

Security

  

Number of
Shares/
Units

  

Percentage of
Issuer’s
Outstanding
Equity Pledged

  

Uncertificated/
Certificated

AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC and successor by merger to AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.))    AvePoint, Inc. (f/k/a Apex Technology Acquisition Corp.)    LLC membership interests    NA    100%    Uncertificated

[Exhibit A]


EXHIBIT B

SUPPLEMENT TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT

This SUPPLEMENT TO PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the “Supplement”) is made as of [_____], 202_ by and between AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.) ( “Pledgor”) and HSBC VENTURES USA INC. (“Bank”).

BACKGROUND

WHEREAS, Pledgor and Bank have entered into the Pledge Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2021 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”), which provides for the pledge of all of the outstanding Pledged Equity of Borrower which Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner, together with the proceeds thereof as described therein;

WHEREAS, Section 1 of the Pledge Agreement provides that Pledgor shall pledge in favor of Bank any additional Pledged Equity acquired by Pledgor, and upon such acquisition shall execute a Supplement to Pledge Agreement substantially in the form of this Supplement; and

WHEREAS, Pledgor has acquired the additional Pledged Equity listed on Appendix A to this Supplement to Pledge Agreement Supplement (the “Additional Shares”).

NOW, THEREFORE, Pledgor and Bank hereby agree as follows:

1. PLEDGE. As security for the full and prompt performance of all the Guaranteed Obligations, Pledgor hereby assigns, transfers to, pledges with, grants a security interest in and delivers to Bank stock certificates, if any, duly endorsed in blank or together with duly executed stock assignments in favor of Bank, the Additional Shares, which shall hereupon become Pledged Collateral for purposes of the Pledge Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, (i) such Additional Shares, together with all Proceeds (as described in the Pledge Agreement) in respect thereto, are subject to a security interest which is granted in favor of Bank, (ii) Pledgor represents and warrants to Bank with respect of the Additional Shares the matters set forth in Section 7 of the Pledge Agreement, and (iii) all other covenants of Pledgor, rights and powers of Bank and other provisions set forth in the Pledge Agreement shall apply in respect of the Additional Shares as they apply in respect of the Collateral pledged on the Combination Effective Date.

2. COUNTERPARTS. This Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement.

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto executed this Supplement as of the date first above written.

 

HSBC VENTURES USA INC.
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.)
By:  

         

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Supplement to Pledge Agreement (Parent)]


APPENDIX A

PLEDGED EQUITY

 

Issuer

  

Pledgor

  

Type of

Security

  

Number of
Shares/
Units

  

Percentage of
Issuer’s
Outstanding
Equity Pledged

  

Uncertificated/
Certificated

              

[Appendix A]

Exhibit 10.24

Execution Version

LIMITED GUARANTY

This LIMITED GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”) is made as of July 1, 2021, by AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.), a Delaware corporation (“Guarantor”), in favor of HSBC VENTURES USA INC. (“Bank”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020 (as amended by the Limited Consent and First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, and as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”), by and among AvePoint US, LLC (f/k/a Athena Technology Merger Sub 2, LLC) (successor by merger to AvePoint Operations, Inc. (f/k/a AvePoint, Inc.), “Borrower”), Guarantor, other guarantors from time to time party thereto and Bank, Bank has agreed to extend credit to Borrower (the “Credit Facility”), provided that Guarantor guarantees Borrower’s obligations relating to the Credit Facility as provided herein;

WHEREAS, Borrower is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guarantor; and

WHEREAS, Guarantor derives indirect benefits from Bank’s extension of the Credit Facility to Borrower under the Loan Agreement and is therefore willing to enter into and perform in accordance with this Guaranty.

GUARANTOR THEREFORE GUARANTEES AND AGREES AS FOLLOWS:

1. Definitions and Terms.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this Guaranty, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

Borrower” shall include the above-named Borrower and any other Person at any time assuming or otherwise becoming primarily liable for all or any part of the obligations of the above-named Borrower under the Loan Documents, including the trustee and the debtor-in-possession in any bankruptcy or similar proceeding involving the named Borrower.

(b) Other Terms. All other capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Loan Agreement.

2. Guaranty.

(a) Guaranty. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(b), Guarantor hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Bank the due and punctual payment, performance and discharge (whether upon acceleration or otherwise in accordance with the terms thereof) of all Obligations. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(b), this guaranty of the Obligations includes in all cases all such Obligations which arise after the filing of a bankruptcy petition with respect to Borrower or any other Loan Party and all such Obligations

 


which would become due but for the operation of (i) the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) Section 502(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, or (iii) Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code, including interest accruing under the Loan Documents after the filing of a Bankruptcy petition, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in the Bankruptcy proceeding. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2(b), this Guaranty is a guaranty of prompt and punctual payment of the Obligations, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and is not merely a guaranty of collection.

(b) Limited Recourse. Anything contained in this Guaranty to the contrary notwithstanding, other than as specifically set forth in this Section 2(b) and in Section 3, recourse against Guarantor or the assets of Guarantor, for the enforcement of this Guaranty shall be limited to the tangible and intangible property (the “Collateral”) of Guarantor in which Guarantor has granted a security interest, or pledged, to Bank, pursuant to any Pledge Agreement to which it is a party. Except for the ability to enforce Guarantor’s obligations under this Guaranty by enforcing the Pledge Agreements and exercising its rights with respect to the liens and security interests granted in the Pledge Agreements or enforcing its rights under the provisions of Section 3, Bank shall have no right to enforce this Guaranty against Guarantor or any other assets of Guarantor, other than for claims, actions or enforcement proceedings brought by Bank against Guarantor or the assets of Guarantor that are determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to result from the misappropriation, misapplication, theft or diversion of any of the Collateral or any proceeds of the Collateral by Guarantor (which claims, actions and enforcement proceedings shall not be limited by this section). Subject to the foregoing provisions, upon the failure of Borrower to pay any of the Obligations when and as the same shall become due, Guarantor will, upon demand, pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to Bank an amount equal to the aggregate of the unpaid Obligations. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall affect or limit the ability of Bank to enforce any of its rights or remedies with respect to any other property encumbered by any other agreement or instrument; and nothing contained in this paragraph shall affect or limit the rights of Bank to proceed against any person or entity, Borrower or any other guarantor of the Obligations, with respect to the enforcement of any other guaranties, indemnity agreements or other similar rights.

3. Rights of Bank. Guarantor authorizes Bank, without giving notice to Guarantor or any Loan Party or obtaining Guarantor’s or any Loan Party’s consent and without affecting the liability of Guarantor or any Loan Party for the Obligations to the extent described in Section 2 hereof, from time to time, to:

(a) compromise, settle, renew, extend the time for payment, change the manner or terms of payment, discharge the performance of, decline to enforce, or release all or any of the Obligations; grant other indulgences to Borrower in respect thereof; or modify in any manner any documents (other than this Guaranty) relating to the Obligations, in each case (other than with respect to decisions not to enforce and to grant indulgences) in accordance with Loan Documents;

(b) declare all Obligations due and payable upon the occurrence of an Event of Default;

(c) take and hold security for the performance of the Obligations and exchange, enforce, waive and release any such security;

 

2


(d) apply and reapply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as Bank, in its sole discretion, may determine;

(e) release, surrender or exchange any deposits or other property securing the Obligations or on which Bank at any time may have a Lien; release, substitute or add any one or more endorsers or guarantors of the Obligations; or compromise, settle, renew, extend the time for payment, discharge the performance of, decline to enforce, or release all or any obligations of any such endorser or guarantor or other Person who is now or may hereafter be liable on any Obligations or release, surrender or exchange any deposits or other property of any such Person;

(f) apply payments received by Bank from Borrower to any Obligations, in such order as Bank shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether or not any such Obligations are covered by this Guaranty; and

(g) assign this Guaranty in whole or in part to the extent Bank is permitted to assign the Obligations under the Loan Agreement.

4. Guarantor’s Waivers.

(a) Guarantor waives:

(i) any defense based upon any legal disability or other defense of Borrower, or by reason of the cessation or limitation of the liability of Borrower from any cause (other than full payment of all Obligations and the termination or expiration of the Credit Facility), including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction, and usury;

(ii) any defense based upon any legal disability or other defense of any other guarantor or other Person;

(iii) any defense based upon any lack of authority of the officers, directors, partners or agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of Borrower or any principal of Borrower or any defect in the formation of Borrower or any principal of Borrower;

(iv) any defense based upon the application by Borrower of the proceeds of the Credit Facility for purposes other than the purposes represented by Borrower to Bank or intended or understood by Bank or Guarantor;

(v) any defense based on Guarantor’s rights, under statute or otherwise, to require Bank to sue Borrower or any other Loan Party or otherwise to exhaust its rights and remedies against Borrower or any other Person or against any collateral before seeking to enforce this Guaranty;

(vi) any defense based on Bank’s failure at any time to require strict performance by Borrower or any Loan Party of any provision of the Loan Documents or by Guarantor of this Guaranty. Guarantor agrees that no such failure shall waive, alter or diminish any right of Bank thereafter to demand strict compliance and performance therewith. Nothing contained herein shall prevent Bank from foreclosing on the Lien of any deed of trust, mortgage or other security agreement (including, without limitation, the Loan Agreement and the Pledge Agreements), or exercising any rights available to Bank thereunder, and the exercise of any such rights shall not constitute a legal or equitable discharge of Guarantor;

 

3


(vii) any defense arising from any act or omission of Bank which changes the scope of Guarantor’s risks hereunder;

(viii) any defense based upon Bank’s election of any remedy against Guarantor or Borrower or both; any defense based on the order in which Bank enforces its remedies;

(ix) any defense based on (A) Bank’s surrender, release, exchange, substitution, dealing with or taking any additional collateral, (B) Bank’s abstaining from taking advantage of or realizing upon any Lien or other guaranty, and (C) any impairment of collateral securing the Obligations, including, but not limited to, Bank’s failure to perfect, or maintain the perfection or priority of, a Lien in such collateral;

(x) any defense based upon Bank’s failure to disclose to Guarantor any information concerning Borrower’s or the Loan Parties’ financial condition or any other circumstances bearing on Borrower’s or the Loan Parties’ ability to pay the Obligations;

(xi) 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 any other respects more burdensome than that of a principal;

(xii) any defense based upon Bank’s election, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any successor statute;

(xiii) any defense based upon any borrowing or any grant of a Lien under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code;

(xiv) any defense based on Bank’s failure to be diligent or to act in a commercially reasonable manner, or to satisfy any other standard imposed on a secured party, in exercising rights with respect to collateral securing the Obligations;

(xv) notice of acceptance hereof; notice of the existence, creation or acquisition of any Obligation; notice of any Event of Default; notice of the amount of the Obligations outstanding from time to time; notice of any other fact which might increase Guarantor’s risk; diligence; presentment; demand of payment; protest; filing of claims with a court in the event of Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s receivership or bankruptcy and all other notices and demands to which Guarantor might otherwise be entitled (and agrees the same shall not have to be made on Borrower or any Loan Party as a condition precedent to Guarantor’s obligations hereunder);

(xvi) any defense based on errors and omissions by Bank in connection with its administration of the Credit Facility;

 

4


(xvii) any defense based on application of fraudulent conveyance or transfer law or shareholder distribution law to any of the Obligations or the security therefor;

(xviii) any defense based on Bank’s failure to seek relief from stay or adequate protection in Borrower’s or any Loan Party’s Bankruptcy proceeding or any other act or omission by Bank which impairs Guarantor’s prospective subrogation rights;

(xix) any defense based on legal prohibition of Bank’s acceleration of the maturity of the Obligations during the occurrence of an Event of Default or any other legal prohibition on enforcement of any other right or remedy of Bank with respect to the Obligations and the security therefor; and

(xx) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting the liability of Guarantor hereunder or the enforcement hereof.

(b) Guarantor agrees that the payment of all sums payable under the Loan Documents or any part thereof or other act which tolls any statute of limitations applicable to the Loan Documents shall similarly operate to toll the statute of limitations applicable to Guarantor’s liability hereunder.

5. Subrogation. Guarantor shall not exercise any rights which it may acquire by reason of any payment made hereunder, whether by way of subrogation, reimbursement or otherwise, until (a) the prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Obligations and (b) termination or expiration of the Credit Facility. Any amount paid to Guarantor on account of any payment made hereunder prior to the payment in full of all Obligations and termination or expiration of the Credit Facility shall be held in trust for the benefit of Bank hereunder. So long as any Obligations remain outstanding and the Credit Facility remains in existence, Guarantor shall refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding against Borrower, whether in connection with a Bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise, to recover any amounts in respect of payments made to Bank under this Guaranty.

6. Guarantor’s Acknowledgment. Guarantor acknowledges that Bank would not and would not continue to extend the Credit Facility but for this Guaranty.

7. Representations and Warranties of Guarantors. Guarantor represents and warrants to Bank, as an inducement to Bank to enter into the Loan Documents, that:

(a) the execution, delivery and performance by Guarantor of this Guaranty (i) do not contravene any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting Guarantor or by which Guarantor’s property may be affected; and (ii) do not require any authorization or approval or other action by, or any notice to or filing with, any other Person except such as have been obtained or made;

(b) there are no conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be in full force and effect and binding on Guarantor as of the date hereof, regardless of whether Bank obtains collateral or any guaranties from others or takes any other action contemplated by Guarantor;

 

5


(c) this Guaranty constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be subject to or limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity;

(d) there is no action, suit or proceeding affecting Guarantor pending or threatened before any court, arbitrator, or governmental authority, which may materially adversely affect Guarantor’s ability to perform his obligations under this Guaranty;

(e) Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from sources other than Bank, on a continuing basis, financial and other information pertaining to Borrower’s and the Loan Parties’ financial condition, Borrower’s and the Loan Parties’ property and Borrower’s and the Loan Parties’ activities relating thereto and the status of Borrower’s and the Loan Parties’ performance of obligations imposed by the Loan Documents, and Guarantor agrees to keep adequately informed from such means of any facts, events or circumstances which might in any way affect Guarantor’s risks hereunder and Bank has made no representation or warranty to such Guarantor as to any such matters;

(f) there are not now pending any material court or administrative proceedings or undischarged judgments against Guarantor, and no tax liens have been filed or threatened against Guarantor. Guarantor is not in default, or alleged to be in default, under any agreement for borrowed money; and

(g) Bank has made no representation or warranty to Guarantor regarding any collateral for the Obligations, including its value and/or its transferability in the event Bank exercises its remedies under the Loan Documents.

8. Bankruptcy of Borrower. In any bankruptcy or other proceeding in which the filing of claims is required by law, Guarantor shall file all claims which Guarantor may have against Borrower or the Loan Parties’ relating to any indebtedness of Borrower or the Loan Parties to Guarantor and shall assign to Bank all rights of Guarantor thereunder. If Guarantor does not file any such claim, Bank, as attorney-in-fact for Guarantor, is hereby authorized to do so in the name of Guarantor or, in Bank’s discretion, to assign the claim to a nominee and to cause a proof of claim to be filed in the name of Bank’s nominee. The foregoing power of attorney is coupled with an interest and cannot be revoked. Bank or its nominee shall have the right, in its reasonable discretion, to accept or reject any plan proposed in such proceeding and to take any other action which a party filing a claim is entitled to take. In all such cases, whether in administration, bankruptcy or otherwise, the Person or Persons authorized to pay such claim shall pay to Bank the amount payable on such claim and, to the full extent necessary for that purpose, Guarantor hereby assigns to Bank all of Guarantor’s rights to any such payments or distributions; provided, however, that Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall not be satisfied except to the extent that Bank receives cash by reason of any such payment or distribution. If Bank receives anything hereunder other than cash, the same shall be held as collateral for amounts due under this Guaranty.

 

 

6


9. Remedies Cumulative. Bank’s rights and remedies under this Guaranty, the Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. Bank shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by Bank of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Bank of any Event of Default on Guarantor’s part shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by Bank shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it. No waiver by Bank shall be effective unless made in a written document signed on behalf of Bank and then shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. Guarantor expressly agrees that this Section 9 may not be waived or modified by Bank by course of performance, conduct, estoppel or otherwise.

10. Demand; Protest. Except as otherwise provided in this Guaranty, Guarantor waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment and any other notices relating to the Obligations.

11. Bank Records. Guarantor agrees that Bank’s books and records with respect to the Obligations shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding shall be binding upon Guarantor for purposes of establishing the items therein set forth and shall constitute prima facie proof thereof, irrespective of whether any Obligation is also evidenced by a note or other instrument.

12. Additional, Independent and Unsecured Obligations. Guarantor’s obligations hereunder shall be in addition to, and shall not limit or in any way affect, Guarantor’s obligations under any other existing or future guaranties unless said other guaranties are expressly modified or revoked in writing. This Guaranty is independent of the obligations of Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Loan Documents. Bank may bring a separate action to enforce the provisions hereof against Guarantor without taking action against Borrower or any other Person or joining Borrower or any other Person as a party to such action.

13. Term; Revival.

(a) This Guaranty is irrevocable by Guarantor. It is a continuing guaranty and shall terminate only upon the full satisfaction of the Obligations (other than inchoate indemnity obligations or obligations extending beyond maturity that have been cash collateralized in an amount and manner satisfactory to Bank) and termination or expiration of the Credit Facility. If, notwithstanding the foregoing, Guarantor shall have any nonwaivable right under applicable law or otherwise to terminate or revoke this Guaranty, Guarantor agrees that such termination or revocation shall not be effective until Bank receives written notice of such termination or revocation. Such notice shall not affect the Bank’s right and power to enforce rights arising prior to receipt thereof. If Bank makes Credit Extensions or takes any other action after Guarantor’s termination or revocation but prior to receipt of the requisite notice, Bank’s rights with respect thereto shall be the same as if such termination or revocation had not occurred.

(b) Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be reinstated and revived, and the Bank’s rights shall continue, with respect to any amount at any time paid by Borrower or any Loan Party on account of the Loan Documents which Bank shall be required to restore or return upon the bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Borrower or any Loan Party or for any other reason, whether by court order, administrative order or settlement, all as though such amount had not been paid and this Guaranty shall be reinstated if the Credit Facility had expired or terminated and all of the Obligations had been satisfied prior to the restoration or return of the payment.

 

 

7


14. Attorneys’ Fees; Enforcement. If any attorney is engaged by Bank to enforce, construe or defend any provision of (a) this Guaranty or (b) in connection with the enforcement, construction or defense of this Guaranty, any of the other Loan Documents, or as a consequence of any Event of Default, with or without the filing of any legal action or proceeding, Guarantor shall pay to Bank, immediately upon demand, the amount of all reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by Bank in connection therewith.

15. Headings. All headings appearing in this Guaranty are for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing this Guaranty.

16. Choice of Law; Venue. This Guaranty shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of law principles except Title 14 of Article 5 of the New York General Obligations law. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and of any federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in such State in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding arising out of or relating to this Guaranty or any action taken or omitted hereunder, and waives any claim of forum non conveniens and any objections as to laying of venue. Each party further waives personal service of any summons, complaint or other process, right to a jury trial and agrees that service thereof may be made by certified or registered mail directed to such Person at such Person’s address for purposes of notices hereunder and that service so made shall be deemed completed upon the earlier to occur of such Person’s actual receipt thereof or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mails, proper postage prepaid.

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, GUARANTOR AND BANK EACH WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS GUARANTY, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT, BREACH OF DUTY AND ALL OTHER CLAIMS. THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES TO ENTER INTO THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. EACH PARTY HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS COUNSEL.

This Section 16 shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

17. Notices. All notices, consents, requests, approvals, demands, or other communication by a party to this Guaranty or any other Loan Document must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given, or delivered if sent to the applicable party at its address below and in accordance with the same requirements under Section 10 of the Loan Agreement. The parties may change their respective addresses in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 of the Loan Agreement.

 

If to Guarantor:

 

AvePoint, Inc.

Riverfront Plaza West

901 East Byrd Street, 9th Floor

 

8


 

Richmond, VA 23219

Attn: General Counsel

Email: legal@avepoint.com

 

If to Bank:

  HSBC Ventures USA Inc.
  452 Fifth Avenue
  New York, NY 10018
  Attn: Jan Luehrs
  Email: jan.luehrs@us.hsbc.com
  With a copy to:
  HSBC Ventures USA Inc.
  95 Washington Street
  Buffalo, NY 14203
  Attn: CMB Loan Service

18. Assignment; Binding Effect. This Guaranty shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Guarantor and Bank and their respective successors and assigns permitted under the Loan Agreement, except that Guarantor shall not have the right to assign its rights or obligations hereunder or any interest herein without Bank’s prior written consent.

19. Entire Agreement; Modifications. This Guaranty is intended by Guarantor and Bank to be the final, complete, and exclusive expression of the agreement between them. This Guaranty supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements relating to the subject matter hereof. No modification, rescission, waiver, release, or amendment of any provision of this Guaranty shall be made, except by a written agreement signed by Guarantor and Bank.

20. Severability. If any provision of this Guaranty shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that portion shall be deemed severed from this Guaranty and the remaining parts shall remain in full force as though the invalid, illegal or unenforceable portion had never been part of this Guaranty.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank]

 

9


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed by the undersigned as of the date first written above.

 

AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.)   
By:   

/s/ Brian Michael Brown

  
Name:    Brian Michael Brown   
Title:    Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel   
Acknowledged and Agreed by:   
HSBC VENTURES USA INC.   
By:   

 

  
Name:   

 

  
Title:   

 

  

[Signature Page to Limited Guaranty (Parent)]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Guaranty has been duly executed by the undersigned as of the date first written above.

 

AVEPOINT, INC. (f/k/a APEX TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION CORP.)  

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

Acknowledged and Agreed by:

 

HSBC VENTURES USA INC.

 
By:  

/s/ Prasant Chunduru

 

Name: Prasant Chunduru

 

Title: SVP, Head of Venture Debt

 

[Signature Page to Limited Guaranty (Parent)]

INTERNAL

Exhibit 16.1

July 7, 2021

Office of the Chief Accountant

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read AvePoint, Inc.’s statements (formerly known as Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation) included under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated July 7, 2021. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm under Item 4.01, in which we were informed of our dismissal on July 1, 2021, to be effective following the filing of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2021. We are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements contained therein.

 

Very truly yours,
/s/ WithumSmith+Brown, PC
New York, New York

Exhibit 21.1

AvePoint, Inc.

List of Material Subsidiaries

 

Subsidiary    Jurisdiction

 

  

 

AvePoint AU Pty Ltd.    Australia
AvePoint Beijing Technology Ltd.    China
AvePoint Benelux    Netherlands
AvePoint Canada Ltd.    Canada
AvePoint Deutschland GmbH    Germany
AvePoint EduTech Pte. Ltd.    Singapore
AvePoint France    France
AvePoint Holding Limited    United Kingdom
AvePoint Holdings USA, LLC    Virginia (United States)
AvePoint Japan K.K.    Japan
AvePoint Manila    Philippines
AvePoint Public Sector, Inc.    Virginia (United States)
AvePoint Singapore Pte. Ltd.    Singapore
AvePoint South Africa    South Africa
AvePoint Sweden    Sweden
AvePoint Switzerland    Switzerland
AvePoint Technology Changchun Co. Ltd.    China
AvePoint UK, Ltd.    United Kingdom
AvePoint Vietnam Company Ltd.    Vietnam
AvePoint US, LLC    Delaware (United States)
Shanghai AvePoint Software Technology Corporation Limited    China

Exhibit 99.1

AvePoint Closes Business Combination; to Begin Trading on Nasdaq as “AVPT”

JERSEY CITY, N.J.—July 1, 2021– AvePoint, Inc. (“AvePoint” or the “Company”), the largest Microsoft 365 data management solutions provider, announced today the completion of its previously announced business combination with Apex Technology Acquisition Corporation (“Apex”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company or SPAC.

Apex shareholders approved the transaction at its stockholder’s meeting held on June 30, 2021. The combined company is expected to begin trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market on July 2, 2021, under the ticker symbol “AVPT” for AvePoint common stock and “AVPTW” for AvePoint warrants.

“The way we work will never be the same and it continues to evolve,” said Dr. Tianyi “TJ” Jiang, Co-Founder and CEO of AvePoint. “While collaboration within the cloud grows at an exceptional rate, the promise of digital transformation is only in its infancy. As the largest Microsoft 365 data management solutions provider with two decades worth of reimagining how companies work, AvePoint is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this moment in time.”

The business combination provides an influx of cash to drive accelerated investment in product innovation, channel marketing, international market expansion and customer success initiatives. The Company remains debt-free and is now one of eight public software companies with at least $150 million in annual revenue, 25% YoY growth and a 10% EBITDA margin1.

“The future of work is hybrid, and AvePoint solutions for Microsoft 365 and Teams are transforming the ways in which people collaborate and get work done today,” said Casey McGee, Vice President, Global ISV Sales, Microsoft. “There are tremendous growth opportunities for Partners like AvePoint who are enabling secure and compliant collaboration for businesses around the world.”

AvePoint’s senior management team, including CEO TJ Jiang, will continue to lead the combined company. Jeff Epstein and Brad Koenig, Co-CEOs of Apex, will join AvePoint’s Board of Directors as a director and an advisor, respectively.

“Given AvePoint’s leadership in digital collaboration security and data management for Microsoft 365, the company is uniquely positioned to benefit from the shift to remote work collaboration and enterprise cloud adoption,” said Epstein, Co-CEO of Apex and AvePoint Board Director.

“We believe that AvePoint’s attractive growth combined with its financial profile gives the company the opportunity to generate significant long-term shareholder value as a publicly traded company,” said Koenig, Co-CEO of Apex and AvePoint Board Advisor.

 

1 

Companies listed on NYSE or NASDAQ. Based on LYM results for most recent reported quarter. Source: Capital IQ


Transaction Overview

AvePoint received approximately $492 million in gross proceeds comprised of Apex’s $352 million of cash held in trust following de minimis public stockholder redemptions and $140 million from an ordinary share private investment in public equity (PIPE), excluding transaction fees. The PIPE was anchored by investors including but not limited to Federated Hermes Kaufman Small Cap Fund, Franklin Templeton, Phoenix Insurance Limited and Singapore-based global investor EDBI.

Advisors

Evercore Group L.L.C. (“Evercore”) served as financial advisor to AvePoint. Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“Citi”), Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (“Goldman Sachs”), Evercore and Cowen Inc. served as capital markets advisors to AvePoint. William Blair & Company served as a financial advisor to Apex. Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P. served as a capital market advisor to Apex. Goldman Sachs, Citi and Evercore served as private placement agents to Apex. Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to AvePoint. Latham & Watkins LLP and Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP served as legal counsel to Apex. Goodwin Procter LLP served as legal counsel to the private placement agents.

About AvePoint    

AvePoint enables customers to collaborate with confidence. AvePoint’s data management solutions help its diverse, global customer base overcome complex transformation, governance and compliance challenges in the Microsoft cloud. A five-time winner of the Global Microsoft Partner of the Year award, AvePoint offers the only full suite of SaaS solutions to migrate, manage and protect data in Microsoft 365. More than 7 million cloud users, including a quarter of the Fortune 500, rely on AvePoint’s solutions. AvePoint’s SaaS solutions are also available to managed service providers, so they can better support and manage their small and mid-sized business customers. Its multi-tenant solutions are available from over a dozen distributors in more than 100 cloud marketplaces worldwide. Founded in 2001, AvePoint is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey. For more information, visit https://www.avepoint.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws including statements regarding the expected listing of the combined company’s stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the future performance of and market opportunities for the combined company. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which AvePoint operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting AvePoint’s business and changes in AvePoint’s ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and to identify and realize additional opportunities, and the risk of downturns in the market and the technology industry. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statement on Form S-4 and other


documents filed by Apex prior to the date hereof and other documents to be filed by AvePoint from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and neither AvePoint, Apex, nor the combined company assume any obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither AvePoint, Apex, nor the combined company gives any assurance that either AvePoint or Apex, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations.

Media Contact:

Nicole Caci

Nicole.caci@avepoint.com;

201-201-8143

Investor Contact:

AvePoint, Inc.

Erica Mannion

Sapphire Investor Relations, LLC.

ir@avepoint.com

617-542-6180

 

1)

Companies listed on NYSE or NASDAQ. Based on LTM results for most recent reported quarter. Source: Capital IQ