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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 2, 2022

 

 

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Cayman Islands   001-40722   98-1594494
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

1 Word Trade Center, 85th Floor
New York, New York
  10007
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(212) 257-0069

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(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 obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

Title of each class

 

Trading
Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on
which registered

Units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001, and one-third of one redeemable warrant   VCXAU   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share   VCXA   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one Class A ordinary share, each at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   VCXAW   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. ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01.

Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.

Merger Agreement

On November 2, 2022, 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X II”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among 10X II, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X II (“Merger Sub”), and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”).

The Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were approved by the boards of directors of each of 10X II and African Agriculture.

The Business Combination

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, 10X II will, subject to obtaining the required shareholder approvals and at least one day prior to the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement), change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as a Cayman Islands exempted company and continuing and domesticating as a corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”). Following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with and into African Agriculture (the “Merger”), with African Agriculture surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X II. In connection with the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”), 10X II will change its name to “African Agriculture Holdings Inc.” (“New African Agriculture”). The Domestication, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement are hereinafter referred to as the “Business Combination”.

Merger Consideration

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), each share of common stock of African Agriculture issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of common stock of New African Agriculture (“New African Agriculture Common Stock”) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (1) $450,000,000 and (2) the aggregate amount of any Company Pre-Closing Financing (as defined in the Merger Agreement) by (ii) ten dollars ($10.00) by (y) the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate number of shares of African Agriculture common stock that are (i) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock units of African Agriculture (whether or not then vested or exercisable) that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (iii) issuable upon conversion of any African Agriculture convertible note outstanding at the Effective Time (the “Merger Consideration”).

Governance

Except as otherwise agreed in writing by African Agriculture and 10X II prior to the Closing, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, subject to any limitation imposed under applicable laws and the listing requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), 10X II shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to cause (a) each director of 10X II in office to cease being a director, and (b) certain individuals designated by the parties shall be appointed to the New African Agriculture board of directors.

Representations and Warranties; Covenants

The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants of each of the parties thereto that are customary for transactions of this type, including with respect to the operations of 10X II and African Agriculture and that each of the parties have undertaken to procure approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”). In addition, 10X II has agreed to adopt an equity incentive plan in the form agreed to by 10X II and African Agriculture.

 

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Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations

The obligation of 10X II and African Agriculture to consummate the Business Combination is subject to certain closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, (ii) the completion of the offer to redeem the ordinary shares of 10X II, (iii) the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by 10X II’s shareholders, (iv) the approval of the Merger Agreement and the Merger by African Agriculture’s stockholders and (v) the Registration Statement (as defined below) becoming effective.

The obligation of 10X II to consummate the Business Combination is subject to the fulfillment of other closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the representations and warranties of African Agriculture being true and correct to the standards applicable to such representations and warranties and each of the covenants of African Agriculture having been performed or complied with in all material respects, (ii) delivery to 10X II by African Agriculture of a signed officer’s certificate, dated as of the date of Closing, certifying that certain closing conditions have been fulfilled, (iii) delivery to 10X II by African Agriculture of executed counterparts to all Ancillary Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) to which African Agriculture or a shareholder of African Agriculture is party and (iv) no Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) shall have occurred.

The obligation of African Agriculture to consummate the Business Combination is also subject to the fulfillment of other closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) the representations and warranties of 10X II and each Merger Sub being true and correct to the standards applicable to such representations and warranties and each of the covenants of 10X II having been performed or complied with in all material respects, (ii) delivery to African Agriculture by 10X II of a signed officer’s certificate, dated as of the date of Closing, certifying that certain closing conditions have been fulfilled, (iii) the approval of the New African Agriculture Common Stock and New African Agriculture warrants for listing on Nasdaq, (iv) delivery to African Agriculture by 10X II of executed counterparts to all Ancillary Agreements to which 10X II or 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC (“Sponsor”) is party, (v) certain directors and executive officers of 10X II specified in the Merger Agreement having been removed from their respective positions or having tendered their irrevocable resignations, in each case effective as of the Effective Time, (vi) 10X II having available at Closing at least $10,000,000 in cash or cash commitments (after taking into account any redemptions by the 10X II’s public shareholders and certain transaction expenses), and (vii) the completion of the Domestication and delivery to African Agriculture of a time-stamped copy of the certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in relation thereto.

Termination

The Merger Agreement may be terminated under certain customary and limited circumstances prior to the closing of the Business Combination, including, but not limited to, (i) by mutual written consent of 10X II and African Agriculture, (ii) by 10X II, subject to certain exceptions, if any of the representations and warranties of African Agriculture are not true and correct or if African Agriculture fails to perform any of its respective covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that certain conditions to the obligations of 10X II cannot be satisfied and the breach (or breaches) of such representations or warranties or failure (or failures) to perform such covenants or agreements, as applicable, are not cured or cannot be cured within certain specified time periods, (iii) by African Agriculture, subject to certain exceptions, if any of the representations and warranties made by 10X II are not true and correct or if 10X II fails to perform any of its covenants or agreements set forth in the Merger Agreement such that the condition to the obligations of African Agriculture cannot be satisfied and the breach (or breaches) of such representations or warranties or failure (or failures) to perform such covenants or agreements, as applicable, are not cured or cannot be cured within certain specified time periods, (iv) by either 10X II or African Agriculture if the Closing has not occurred on or before May 13, 2023 (the “Termination Date”); provided that the Termination Date may be extended at the discretion of 10X II up to August 13, 2023; provided that such date is prior to the deadline by which 10X II must complete its business combination under its organizational documents, (v) by either African Agriculture or 10X II if the consummation of the Merger is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable governmental order or other law; (vi) by either 10X II or African Agriculture if the Extension Proposal (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is not duly approved on or before November 13, 2022, (vii) prior to obtaining the required approvals by 10X II shareholders, by African Agriculture if the 10X II board of directors changes its recommendation that 10X II shareholders approve the proposals included in the proxy statement/prospectus or fails to include such recommendation in the proxy statement/prospectus, (viii) by African

 

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Agriculture if certain required approvals are not obtained by 10X II shareholders after the conclusion of a meeting of 10X II’s shareholders held for the purpose of voting on such approvals, and (ix) by 10X II if the required approvals by African Agriculture stockholders have not been obtained within ten (10) business days following the date that the Registration Statement is disseminated by African Agriculture to its stockholders.

African Agriculture will be obligated to pay 10X II a termination fee equal to 1.0% of the Merger Consideration if the Merger Agreement is terminated by 10X II pursuant to clause (ii) or (iv) of the preceding paragraph or by African Agriculture pursuant to clause (iv) of the Merger Agreement. 10X II will be obligated to pay African Agriculture a termination fee equal to 1.0% of the Merger Consideration if the Merger Agreement is terminated by African Agriculture pursuant to clause (iii) of the preceding paragraph.

Except as described above, if the Merger Agreement is validly terminated, none of the parties to the Merger Agreement, or their respective affiliates, officers, directors, employees or shareholders, will have any liability or any further obligation under the Merger Agreement other than customary confidentiality obligations, except in the case of Willful Breach (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of any covenant or agreement under the Merger Agreement.

A copy of the Merger Agreement is filed with this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Merger Agreement contains representations, warranties and covenants that the respective parties made to each other as of the date of the Merger Agreement or other specific dates. The assertions embodied in those representations, warranties and covenants were made for purposes of the contract among the respective parties and are subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating such agreement. The representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement are also modified in important part by the underlying disclosure schedules which are not filed publicly and which are subject to a contractual standard of materiality different from that generally applicable to shareholders and were used for the purpose of allocating risk among the parties rather than establishing matters as facts. 10X II does not believe that these schedules contain information that is material to an investment decision.

Acquiror Support Agreement

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, 10X II entered into the Acquiror Support Agreement (the “Acquiror Support Agreement”) with African Agriculture, and the Sponsor and the directors and officers of 10X II (collectively, the “Class B Holders”) pursuant to which the Class B Holders agreed to, among other things, (i) vote at any meeting or pursuant to any action of written resolution of the shareholders of 10X II all of their class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, held of record or thereafter acquired in favor of the Business Combination, the Domestication and the other Proposals (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and (ii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Acquiror Support Agreement. Additionally, for a period ending six months after Closing (the “First Lock-up Period”), the Class B Holders will be subject to a lock-up with respect to one-third Lock-Up Shares (as defined in the Acquiror Support Agreement), and for a period beginning six months after Closing and ending twelve months after Closing (the “Second Lock-up Period”) the Class B Holders will be subject to a lock-up with respect to the remaining two-thirds of the Lock-Up Shares; provided that the lock-up shall expire upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the shares of New African Agriculture Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period during the Second Lock-up Period.

The foregoing description of the Acquiror Support Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Acquiror Support Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Company Support Agreement

Within five days after the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain stockholders of African Agriculture representing the requisite votes necessary to approve the Business Combination will enter into support agreements (each a “Company Support Agreement”) with 10X II and African Agriculture, pursuant to which each such stockholder agrees to (i) vote at any meeting of the stockholders of African Agriculture all shares of common stock of African Agriculture held of record or thereafter acquired in favor of the Business Combination and the other

 

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transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (ii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Business Combination and (iii) be bound by certain transfer restrictions with respect to such securities, prior to the Closing of the Business Combination, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Company Support Agreement.

The foregoing description of Company Support Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Company Support Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit A to Exhibit 2.1 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

At the closing of the Business Combination, New African Agriculture, the Sponsor and certain stockholders of African Agriculture will enter into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) pursuant to which, among other things, the Sponsor and such securityholders will be granted certain customary registration rights, on the terms and subject to the conditions therein, with respect to securities of New African Agriculture they will hold following the Merger.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit C to Exhibit 2.1 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Non-Redemption Agreement

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain IPO anchor investors of 10X II (the “10X II Anchor Investors”) entered into non-redemption agreements (the “Non-Redemption Agreements”) with 10X II and Sponsor.

Pursuant to the Non-Redemption Agreements, such 10X II Anchor Investor agreed for the benefit of 10X II to vote certain 10X II ordinary shares now owned or hereafter acquired (the “Subject 10X II Equity Securities”), in favor of the proposal to amend 10X II’s organizational documents to extend the time 10X II is permitted to close a business combination and not redeem the Subject 10X II Equity Securities in connection with such proposal. In connection with these commitments from the 10X II Anchor Investors, Sponsor has agreed to transfer to each 10X II Anchor Investor an amount of its Class B ordinary shares following the Closing of the Merger.

10X II and Sponsor may enter into additional Non-Redemption Agreements with investors such that an aggregate of up to 4,550,000 10X II ordinary shares are subject to Non-Redemption Agreements.

The foregoing description of the Non-Redemption Agreement is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Non-Redemption Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.2 hereto, and the terms of which are incorporated by reference.

Standby Equity Purchase Agreement

Concurrently with the parties entering into the Merger Agreement, 10X II entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (“SEPA”) with YA II PN, Ltd. (“Yorkville”) pursuant to which, subject to the consummation of the Business Combination, New African Agriculture has the option, but not the obligation, to issue, and Yorkville shall subscribe for, an aggregate amount of up to $100 million of New African Agriculture Common Stock at the time of New African Agriculture’s choosing during the term of the agreement, subject to certain limitations, including caps on issuance and subscriptions based on trading volumes. Each advance under the SEPA (an “Advance”) may be for an aggregate amount of New African Agriculture Common Stock purchased at 96% of the Market Price during a one-day pricing period or 97% of the Market Price during a three-day pricing period elected by New African Agriculture. The “Market Price” is defined in the SEPA as the VWAP (as defined below) during the trading day, in the case of a one day pricing period, or the lowest daily VWAP of the three consecutive trading days, in the case of a three day pricing period, commencing on the trading day on which New African Agriculture submits an Advance notice to Yorkville. “VWAP” means, for any trading day, the daily volume weighted average price of New African Agriculture Common Stock for such date on Nasdaq as reported by Bloomberg L.P. during regular trading hours or such other period in the case of a one-day trading period. The SEPA will continue for a term of three years commencing from the sixth trading day following the closing of the Business Combination (the “SEPA Effective Date”).

 

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Pursuant to the SEPA, New African Agriculture will pay to Yorkville a commitment fee of $1.0 million, which is to be paid on the SEPA Effective Date. New African Agriculture can elect to pay the commitment fee by issuing New African Agriculture Common Stock to Yorkville in an amount equal to the commitment fee divided by the average daily VWAP for the five consecutive trading days prior to the date such payment is due.

The foregoing description of the SEPA does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the SEPA, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.

Forward Purchase Agreement

Simultaneously with the execution of the Merger Agreement, 10X II and African Agriculture entered into an OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction (the “Forward Purchase Agreement”) with Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 8 (“Seller”), a client of Cohen & Company Financial Management, LLC (“Cohen”). Pursuant to the Forward Purchase Agreement, Seller intends, but is not obligated, to purchase through a broker in the open market (a) 10X II’s Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”) after the date of 10X II’s redemption deadline from holders of Shares, including those who have elected to redeem Shares (such purchased Shares, the “Recycled Shares”) pursuant to the redemption rights set forth in 10X II’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association in connection with the Business Combination and (b) additional Shares in an issuance from 10X II (such Shares, the “Additional Shares” and, together with the Recycled Shares, the “Subject Shares”). The aggregate total Subject Shares will be 4,000,000, subject to automatic reduction to equal the amount of 10X II ordinary shares outstanding as of the redemption deadline and subject to increase to up to 10,000,000 upon mutual agreement of 10X II and Seller (the “Maximum Number of Shares”). Seller has agreed to waive any redemption rights with respect to any Subject Shares in connection with the Business Combination.

Prior to maturity, Seller may also purchase through a broker in the open market additional Shares, subject to adjustment, which Shares shall be incremental to the Maximum Number of Shares and shall not be included in the Number of Shares under the Forward Purchase Agreement.

The Forward Purchase Agreement provides that following closing of the Business Combination, 10X II will pay to Seller, out of funds held in its account, an amount (the “Prepayment Amount”) equal to (x) the pre-share redemption price (the “Initial Price”) multiplied by (y) the number of Recycled Shares on the date of such prepayment. At the option of 10X II, up to 10% of such Prepayment Amount may be paid to 10X II and netted from the Prepayment Amount (the “Prepayment Shortfall”).

From time to time following the Closing, Seller, in its discretion, may sell the Subject Shares and remit to 10X II an amount equal to the amount of such Subject Shares multiplied by the Reset Price (as defined in the Forward Purchase Agreement); provided that no proceeds will paid to 10X II in respect of such sales of Subject Shares with net proceeds equal to the Prepayment Shortfall.

Upon the occurrence of the Maturity Date (as defined in the Forward Purchase Agreement), 10X II is obligated to pay to Seller an amount equal to the product of (a) (x) the Maximum Number of Shares, less (y) the number of Terminated Shares (as defined in the Forward Purchase Agreement), multiplied by (b) $2.00 payable in cash or in shares at the option of 10X II. The Maturity Date may be accelerated upon occurrences described in the Forward Purchase Agreement.

10X II has agreed to file, upon the request of the Seller, a registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of the Subject Shares and the Share Consideration under the Securities Act of 1933, within thirty (30) days following such request. Entities and funds managed by Cohen own equity interests in the Sponsor.

The Forward Purchase Agreement contains additional representations, warranties, indemnities, agreements and termination rights of the parties thereto. The foregoing description of the Forward Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Forward Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 3.02.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference herein. The shares to be offered and sold in connection with the Non-Redemption Agreements have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) thereof.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

On November 2, 2022, 10X II and African Agriculture issued a joint press release announcing their entry into the Merger Agreement. The press release is furnished hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference into this Item 7.01.

The foregoing (including Exhibit 99.1) is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 and will not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

10X II intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus of 10X II, in connection with the Business Combination. After the Registration Statement is declared effective, 10X II will mail a definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents to its shareholders. 10X II’s shareholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, and amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus in connection with 10X II’s solicitation of proxies for its shareholders’ meeting to be held to approve the Business Combination because the proxy statement/prospectus will contain important information about 10X II, African Agriculture and the Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of 10X II as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the Registration Statement, each preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by 10X II may be obtained free of charge from 10X II at https://www.10xspac.com/spacII. Alternatively, these documents, when available, can be obtained free of charge by directing a request to: 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor, New York, NY 10007. The information contained on or accessible through 10X II’s corporate website or any other website that it may maintain is not part of this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Participants in the Solicitation

10X II, African Agriculture and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of 10X II’s shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of 10X II’s directors and officers in 10X II’s filings with the SEC, including the Registration Statement to be filed with the SEC by 10X II, and such information and names of African Agriculture’s directors and executive officers will also be in the Registration Statement to be filed with the SEC by 10X II, which will include the proxy statement of 10X II for the Business Combination.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or 10X II’s or African Agriculture’s future financial or operating performance. For example, statements about the expected timing of the completion of the Business

 

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Combination, the benefits of the Business Combination, the competitive environment, and the expected future performance (including future revenue, pro forma enterprise value, and cash balance) and market opportunities of African Agriculture are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may”, “should”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by 10X II and its management, and African Agriculture and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against 10X II, African Agriculture, the combined company or others following the announcement of the Business Combination; (3) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of 10X II or to satisfy other conditions to Closing; (4) changes to the proposed structure of the Business Combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the Business Combination; (5) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards at or following the consummation of the Business Combination; (6) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of African Agriculture as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (8) costs related to the Business Combination; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (10) the possibility that African Agriculture or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; and (11) other risks and uncertainties described in 10X II’s registration statement on Form S-1 and Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended from time to time, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in the Registration Statement to be filed by 10X II with the SEC in connection with the Business Combination.

Nothing in this Current Report on Form 8-K should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither 10X II nor African Agriculture undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

No Offer or Solicitation

This Current Report relates to a proposed business combination between 10X II and African Agriculture. This document is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy, any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act.

 

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Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Description

2.1†    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 2, 2022, by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc. and African Agriculture Inc.
10.1    Acquiror Support Agreement, dated November 2, 2022 by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, African Agriculture Inc., 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC and the directors and executive officers of 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II named therein.
10.2    Form of Non-Redemption Agreement.
10.3    Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated November 2, 2022, by and between 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II and YA II PN, Ltd.
10.4    OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction by and among 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, African Agriculture Inc. and Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 8.
99.1    Press Release, dated November 2, 2022.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request.

 

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SIGNATURE

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.

Dated: November 3, 2022

 

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

Name:   Hans Thomas
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

10

Exhibit 2.1

Execution Version

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

dated as of

November 2, 2022

by and among

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II,

10X AA MERGER SUB, INC.,

and

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I

  

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     3  

1.01

  Definitions      3  

1.02

  Construction      21  

ARTICLE II

  

THE MERGER; CLOSING

     22  

2.01

  The Merger      22  

2.02

  Effects of the Merger      22  

2.03

  Closing      22  

2.04

  Organizational Documents of the Company and Acquiror      22  

2.05

  Directors and Officers of the Companies      22  

ARTICLE III

  

EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

     23  

3.01

  Effect on Capital Stock      23  

3.02

  Equitable Adjustments      24  

3.03

  Exchange of Company Certificates and Company Book-Entry Shares      24  

3.04

  Withholding      25  

3.05

  No Fractional Shares      25  

3.06

  Payment of Expenses      26  

3.07

  Dissenting Shares      26  

3.08

  Treatment of Company Options      27  

3.09

  Treatment of Company RSUs      27  

3.10

  Treatment of Company Convertible Notes      27  

ARTICLE IV

  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

     27  

4.01

  Organization, Standing and Corporate Power      28  

4.02

  Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention      28  

4.03

  Governmental Approvals      29  

4.04

  Capitalization      29  

4.05

  Subsidiaries      30  

4.06

  Financial Statements; Internal Controls      30  

4.07

  Compliance with Laws      30  

4.08

  Absence of Certain Changes or Events      31  

4.09

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      31  

4.10

  Information Supplied      31  

4.11

  Litigation      32  

4.12

  Contracts      32  

4.13

  Employment Matters      34  

4.14

  Taxes      37  

4.15

  Intellectual Property      39  

 

ii


4.16

  Data Protection      40  

4.17

  Information Technology      40  

4.18

  Real Property      41  

4.19

  Corrupt Practices; Sanctions      43  

4.20

  Competition and Trade Regulation      43  

4.21

  Environmental Matters      44  

4.22

  Brokers      44  

4.23

  Affiliate Agreements      45  

4.24

  COVID-19      45  

4.25

  No Other Representations or Warranties      45  

ARTICLE V

  

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

  

OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

     45  

5.01

  Organization, Standing and Corporate Power      46  

5.02

  Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention      46  

5.03

  Litigation      47  

5.04

  Compliance with Laws      47  

5.05

  Employee Benefit Plans      48  

5.06

  Financial Ability; Trust Account      48  

5.07

  Taxes      49  

5.08

  Brokers      50  

5.09

  Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act      50  

5.10

  Business Activities; Absence of Changes      52  

5.11

  Registration Statement      53  

5.12

  No Outside Reliance      53  

5.13

  Capitalization      54  

5.14

  Nasdaq Stock Market Quotation      55  

5.15

  Contracts; No Defaults      56  

5.16

  Title to Property      56  

5.17

  Investment Company Act      56  

5.18

  Affiliate Agreements      56  

5.19

  Corrupt Practices      57  

5.20

  Takeover Statutes and Charter Provisions      57  

5.21

  No Other Representations or Warranties      58  

ARTICLE VI

  

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     58  

6.01

  Conduct of Business      58  

6.02

  Inspection      61  

6.03

  HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals      62  

6.04

  No Claim Against the Trust Account      63  

6.05

  Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions      64  

6.06

  Non-Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals      65  

6.07

  Company Lock-up      66  

6.08

  Litigation      66  

 

iii


6.09

  Company Support Agreement      67  

6.10

  Financial Statements      67  

6.11

  Offtake Agreement      67  

6.12

  Insurance      67  

ARTICLE VII

  

COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR

     68  

7.01

  HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals      68  

7.02

  Indemnification and Insurance      69  

7.03

  Conduct of Acquiror During the Interim Period      70  

7.04

  Trust Account      72  

7.05

  Inspection      72  

7.06

  Acquiror Nasdaq Listing      73  

7.07

  Acquiror Public Filings      73  

7.08

  Additional Insurance Matters      74  

7.09

  Section 16 Matters      74  

7.10

  Director and Officer Appointments      74  

7.11

  Exclusivity      74  

7.12

  Redomicile      75  

7.13

  Management Incentive Package      76  

7.14

  Stockholder Litigation      76  

7.15

  Extension of Time to Consummate a Business Combination      76  

ARTICLE VIII

  

JOINT COVENANTS

     77  

8.01

  Support of Transaction      77  

8.02

  Preparation of Registration Statement; Extraordinary General Meeting; Solicitation of Company Stockholder Approvals      77  

8.03

  Tax Matters      81  

8.04

  Confidentiality; Publicity      82  

8.05

  Ratification of Covenants      83  

8.06

  Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances      83  

8.07

  Financing Cooperation      83  

ARTICLE IX

  

CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

     83  

9.01

  Conditions to Obligations of All Parties      83  

9.02

  Additional Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror      84  

9.03

  Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company      85  

ARTICLE X

  

TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

     87  

10.01

  Termination      87  

10.02

  Effect of Termination      88  

 

iv


ARTICLE XI

  

MISCELLANEOUS

     89  

11.01

  Waiver      89  

11.02

  Notices      89  

11.03

  Assignment      90  

11.04

  Rights of Third Parties      90  

11.05

  Expenses      90  

11.06

  Governing Law      91  

11.07

  Captions; Counterparts      91  

11.08

  Schedules and Exhibits      91  

11.09

  Entire Agreement      91  

11.10

  Amendments      92  

11.11

  Severability      92  

11.12

  Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY      92  

11.13

  Enforcement      93  

11.14

  Non-Recourse      93  

11.15

  Non-survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants      93  

11.16

  Acknowledgements      94  

 

v


Exhibits

Exhibit A – Form of Company Support Agreement

Exhibit B – Form of Acquiror Support Agreement

Exhibit C – Form of Registration Rights Agreement

Exhibit D – Form of Certificate of Incorporation of Acquiror

Exhibit E – Form of Bylaws of Acquiror

Exhibit F – Form of Company Lock-Up Agreement

Exhibit G – Form of FIRTPA Certificate

Exhibit H – Post-Closing Directors and Officers

 

vi


AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

This Agreement and Plan of Merger (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 2, 2022, is entered into by and among 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Acquiror”), 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Acquiror is a blank check company incorporated for the purpose of acquiring one or more operating businesses through a Business Combination;

WHEREAS, prior to the date hereof, Acquiror has filed with the SEC the Extension Proxy Statement in connection with a proposal to amend the Acquiror Organizational Documents to extend the period of time Acquiror is afforded under the Acquiror Organizational Documents to consummate an initial Business Combination for an additional six months, from November 13, 2022 to May 13, 2023;

WHEREAS, the Merger Sub is a newly formed, wholly owned, direct Subsidiary of Acquiror that was formed for the sole purpose of the Merger;

WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, at the Closing, Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Acquiror (the Company, in its capacity as the surviving corporation of the Merger, is referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”);

WHEREAS, the Company Board has (a) determined that the Transactions, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to, and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party, and (c) directed that the adoption and approval of this Agreement be submitted to the Company Stockholders for consideration and recommended that the Company Stockholders adopt and approve this Agreement;

WHEREAS, each of the Acquiror Board and the board of directors of Merger Sub has (a) determined that the Transactions, including the Merger, are advisable, fair to and in the best interests of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub and their respective stockholders, as applicable, in each case on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, (b) authorized and approved this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror and Merger Sub are a party, as applicable, (c) directed that the adoption and approval of this Agreement be submitted to the Acquiror Shareholders and the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, as applicable, and (d) approved the recommendation to the Acquiror Shareholders and the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, as applicable, that each approve this Agreement;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Transactions, certain Company Stockholders will enter into certain Support Agreements (the “Company Support Agreements”) with Acquiror and the Company, in the form set forth on Exhibit A, pursuant to which, among other things, such Company Stockholders will agree to execute and deliver a consent constituting the Company Stockholder Approvals;


WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, in connection with the Transactions, the Sponsor, certain directors and officers of Acquiror, Acquiror and the Company have entered into a Support Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Acquiror Support Agreement” and together with the Company Support Agreements, the “Support Agreements”), with the Company, in the form set forth on Exhibit B, pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the Sponsor and such directors and officers have agreed to vote in favor of this Agreement and the Transactions, and (ii) the Sponsor and such directors and officers have agreed to certain transfer restrictions with respect to their Acquiror Common Stock;

WHEREAS, contemporaneously with the Closing, in connection with the Transactions, Acquiror, the Company, certain Acquiror Shareholders and certain Company Stockholders who will receive Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to Article III, will enter into that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), in the form set forth on Exhibit C to be effective upon the Closing;

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Acquiror Organizational Documents, Acquiror shall provide an opportunity to its shareholders to have their Acquiror Public Shares redeemed for the consideration, and on the terms and subject to the conditions and limitations, set forth in this Agreement, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, the Trust Agreement, and the Proxy Statement in conjunction with, inter alia, obtaining approval from the shareholders of Acquiror for the Business Combination (the “Offer”);

WHEREAS, at least one day prior to the consummation of the Merger, Acquiror shall, subject to obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approvals, domesticate and transfer by way of continuation as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the DGCL and Part XII of the CACI (the “Redomicile”), pursuant to which, among other things, (i) the Acquiror will adopt the certificate of incorporation in the form set forth on Exhibit D (the “Acquiror Charter”), which shall be the certificate of incorporation of Acquiror until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with its terms and the DGCL and (ii) each Acquiror Class B Ordinary Share shall convert into a share of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror, and each Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share shall convert into a share of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror;

WHEREAS, as part of the consummation of the Transactions and immediately following the Redomicile, each share of Class B common stock of the Acquiror and each share of Class A common stock of the Acquiror that is then issued and outstanding shall convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of Acquiror Common Stock (the “Sponsor Share Conversion”);

WHEREAS, prior to the consummation of the Merger, and immediately following the Redomicile, Acquiror shall adopt the bylaws in the form set forth on Exhibit E, which shall be the bylaws of Acquiror, until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with its terms and the DGCL;

 

2


WHEREAS, one day prior to the consummation of the Transactions, Acquiror shall, subject to obtaining the Majority Acquiror Shareholder Approval, adopt the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Acquiror Equity Incentive Plan”), substantially in the form agreed to by the Acquiror and the Company;

WHEREAS, Acquiror shall be renamed “African Agriculture Holdings Inc.” (the “Name Change”) and shall trade publicly on Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol selected by the Company;

WHEREAS, the parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) the Redomicile qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iii) the Name Change qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iv) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations to which each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are parties under Section 368(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, and (v) this Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354, 361 and the 368 of the Code and within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the respective representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

1.01 Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Acquiror” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Acquiror Affiliate Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.18.

Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations” means the representations and warranties of each of Acquiror and Merger Sub expressly and specifically set forth in Article V of this Agreement, as qualified by the Schedules. For the avoidance of doubt, the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations are solely made by Acquiror and Merger Sub.

Acquiror Board” means the board of directors of Acquiror.

Acquiror Board Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(d).

Acquiror Change in Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(d).

Acquiror Charter” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share” means a Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror.

 

3


Acquiror Class B Ordinary Share” means a Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror.

Acquiror Closing Cash” means an amount equal to, without duplication: (i) the amount of cash available in the Trust Account as of 12:01 a.m. (New York time) on the Closing Date (after deducting therefrom (x) the amount required to satisfy in full the Acquiror Share Redemption and (y) the aggregate amount of deferred underwriting commissions payable in cash by Acquiror in connection with its initial public offering); plus (ii) the sum total of all cash and cash commitments from any Pre-Closing Financing, including without limitation, equity financing facilities, forward purchase agreements, committed equity facilities, equity lines of credit, issuance of convertible securities, PIPE Investments, standby equity purchase agreements or non-redemption agreements, in each case, to be funded prior to, upon, or as soon as reasonably practicable following the Closing, as applicable to each, or to the extent the terms of the financing facility specify funding only upon the effectiveness of a registration statement with respect to such facility, promptly following such effectiveness; minus (iii) the aggregate amount required to repay any outstanding Working Capital Loans (other than any Working Capital Loans that have been converted into equity as of the Closing); minus (iv) the aggregate amount of unpaid Outstanding Company Expenses as of the Closing; minus (v) the aggregate amount of unpaid Outstanding Acquiror Expenses as of the Closing.

Acquiror Common Stock” means the shares of common stock of Acquiror, par value $0.0001 per share, from and after the Redomicile.

Acquiror Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(c).

Acquiror Equity Incentive Plan” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Equity Plan Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Acquiror Material Contracts” has the meaning specified in Section 5.15(a).

Acquiror Ordinary Shares” means prior to the Redomicile, collectively, the Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares and the Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares.

Acquiror Organizational Documents” means (a) prior to the Redomicile, the Articles of Association and Acquiror’s memorandum of association, in each case as may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms, and (b) after the Redomicile, the Acquiror Charter and the bylaws of Acquiror.

Acquiror Pre-Closing Financing” means (a) the incurrence of any Indebtedness by the Acquiror, (b) the issuance by the Acquiror of any shares of capital stock or equity-linked securities or rights exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock (including any PIPE Investment) or (c) equity financing facilities or non-redemption pools entered into by the Acquiror, in each case with respect to clauses (a)-(c), on or after August 25, 2022 and prior to or simultaneously with the Closing.

 

4


Acquiror Public Shares” means the Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares initially included in the units sold by Acquiror in its initial public offering (or, after the Redomicile, the shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Acquiror into which such Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares shall have been converted).

Acquiror RSU” has the meaning specified in Section 3.10.

Acquiror SEC Reports” has the meaning specified in Section 5.09(a).

Acquiror Share Redemption” means the election of an eligible (as determined in accordance with the Acquiror Organizational Documents) holder of Acquiror Public Shares to redeem all or a portion of the Acquiror Public Shares held by such holder at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to a pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account (including any interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) calculated as of two (2) Business Days prior to Closing (as determined in accordance with the Acquiror Organizational Documents) in connection with the Proposals.

Acquiror Shareholder” means (a) prior to the Redomicile, a holder of Acquiror Ordinary Shares and (b) after the Redomicile, a holder of Acquiror Common Stock.

Acquiror Shareholder Approvals” means the Majority Acquiror Shareholder Approval and the Supermajority Acquiror Shareholder Approval.

Acquiror Support Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Acquiror Warrants” means (a) prior to the Redomicile, the Existing Acquiror Public Warrants and the Existing Acquiror Private Placement Warrants, and (b) from and after the Redomicile, the Domesticated Acquiror Public Warrants and the Domesticated Acquiror Private Placement Warrants.

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

Action” means any claim, action, suit, assessment, audit, investigation, examination, arbitration or proceeding, in each case that is by or before any Governmental Authority.

Additional Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Advisory Amendment Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

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

Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Shares” means the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock that are (i) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) issuable upon the exercise or settlement of Company Options or Company RSUs (whether or not then vested or exercisable) that are outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (iii) issuable upon conversion of any Company Convertible Note outstanding at the Effective Time.

 

5


Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Amendment Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Ancillary Agreements” means the Support Agreements, the Registration Rights Agreement, the Trust Agreement and any other agreement related to the Transactions.

Anti-Corruption Laws” means any applicable Laws relating to anti-bribery or anti-corruption (governmental or commercial), including Laws that prohibit the corrupt payment, offer, promise, or authorization of the payment or transfer of anything of value (including gifts or entertainment), directly or indirectly, to any representative of a foreign Governmental Authority or commercial entity to obtain a business advantage, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and all national and international Laws enacted to implement the OECD Convention on Combating Bribery of Foreign Officials in International Business Transactions.

Antitrust Law” means the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Sherman Act, the Clayton Act, and any applicable foreign antitrust Laws and all other applicable Laws that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or lessening of competition through merger or acquisition.

Articles of Association” means the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of Acquiror, adopted by special resolution and effective on August 10, 2021, and as may be amended from time to time in accordance with this Agreement and the CACI.

Balance Sheet Date” means December 31, 2021.

Benefit Plan” means any benefit or compensation plan, program, policy, practice, agreement, contract, arrangement or other obligation, whether or not in writing and whether or not funded, including, but not limited to, “employee benefit plans” within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (whether or not subject to ERISA), “voluntary employees’ beneficiary associations,” under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code, employment, individual consulting, retirement, severance, termination pay, change in control, transaction or retention arrangements, deferred compensation, equity or equity-based compensation, incentive compensation, bonus, supplemental retirement, profit sharing, insurance, medical, welfare, vacation, fringe or other benefits or remuneration plan, program, policy, agreement or arrangement of any kind.

Business Combination” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Articles of Association.

 

6


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

CACI” means the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands.

Cancelled Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(b).

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means obligations pursuant to a lease that is, or is required in accordance with GAAP to be, classified as a finance lease (specifically excluding any obligations pursuant to operating leases that, prior to adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842, would not have been required to be recognized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP).

CBA” has the meaning specified in Section 4.12(a)(xii).

“Certificate of Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

Closing” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

Closing Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03.

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

Company” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Company Benefit Plan” means each Benefit Plan, sponsored, maintained or contributed to (or obligated to be contributed to) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (A) in which any current or former employee or other service provider to the Company participates or has any rights or benefits, whether absolute or contingent, or (B) with respect to which the Company has or could have any Obligation, other than any plan sponsored or maintained by a Governmental Authority.

Company Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

Company Board Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(f).

Company Certificates” has the meaning specified in Section 3.03(a).

Company Change in Recommendation” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(f).

Company Common Stock” means a share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

Company Convertible Note” means each Convertible Promissory Note, by and among the Company and the applicable investor party thereto, issued by the Company prior to the date hereof.

 

7


Company Cure Period” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

Company Intellectual Property” means all Owned Intellectual Property and all other Intellectual Property used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as currently conducted.

Company Lock-up Parties” means each director and executive officer of the Company and each Company Stockholder receiving more than 1.0% of the outstanding Acquiror Common Stock upon Closing.

Company Options” shall mean each option to purchase Company Stock granted and that remains outstanding.

Company Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company, in each case as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Company Permits” has the meaning specified in Section 4.07(d).

Company Pre-Closing Financing” means the issuance by the Company of any shares of capital stock or equity-linked securities or Indebtedness or other rights exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock, in each case, on or after August 25, 2022 and prior to or simultaneously with the Closing, and in each case, in an aggregate amount of up to (x) $15,000,000 or (y) if the Termination Date is extended past May 13, 2023, $20,000,000.

Company Representations” means the representations and warranties of the Company expressly and specifically set forth in Article IV of this Agreement, as qualified by the Schedules. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company Representations are solely made by the Company.

Company RSU” means the grant of the right to receive shares of Company Stock that is an obligation of the Company and is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Company Software” means all Software used in the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as currently conducted.

Company Stock” means the Company Common Stock and any other equity securities issued by the Company.

Company Stockholder” means the holder of a share of Company Stock.

Company Stockholder Approvals” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(f).

Company Support Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Competing Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 7.11(c).

 

8


Confidentiality Agreement” means that certain Confidentiality Agreement (as may be amended or supplement), dated as of July 18, 2022, between Acquiror and the Company.

Contract” means any legally binding contract, agreement, subcontract, lease, and purchase order.

Converted Option” has the meaning specified in Section 3.08.

COVID-19” means the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 or any mutation of the same, including any resulting epidemics, pandemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies.

COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, isolation, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester or any other Law, decree, judgment, injunction or other order, directive, guidelines or recommendations by any Governmental Authority or industry group in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES).

Deferred Payroll Taxes” means any Taxes for which the Company is liable that (i) relate to the portion of the “payroll tax deferral period” (as defined in Section 2302(d) of the CARES Act) that occurs prior to the Closing and (ii) are payable following the Closing as permitted by Section 2302(a) of the CARES Act, or any similar or analogous provisions of any state, local or non-U.S. Law (together with all regulations and guidance related thereto issued by a Governmental Authority), calculated after giving effect to any tax credits afforded under the CARES Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to reduce the amount of any Taxes payable or owed, to the extent such tax credits are accrued prior to the Closing.

DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Dissenting Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 3.07.

Domesticated Acquiror Private Placement Warrants” means the Existing Acquiror Private Placement Warrants after giving effect to the Redomicile, as a result of which each shall automatically become a warrant to acquire one share of Acquiror Common Stock.

Domesticated Acquiror Public Warrant” means the Existing Acquiror Public Warrants after giving effect to the Redomicile, as a result of which each shall automatically become a warrant to acquire one share of Acquiror Common Stock.

“Effective Time” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

Enforceability Exceptions” has the meaning specified in Section 4.02(a).

Environmental Laws” means any and all applicable Laws relating to pollution or protection of the environment (including natural resources), public and worker health and safety (to the extent relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials), or the investigation, cleanup, use, generation, storage, emission, treatment, transportation, disposal or Release of or exposure to Hazardous Materials.

 

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Equity Incentive Plan” means the African Agriculture, Inc. 2022 Incentive Plan.

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

ERISA Affiliate” means any entity (whether or not incorporated) which is or was, together with the Company, that currently is, or has been within the last six (6) years treated as a single employer under Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code.

Ex-Im Laws” means (a) all applicable trade, export control, import, and antiboycott laws and regulations imposed, administered, or enforced by the U.S. government, including the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. § 1778), the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701–1706), Section 999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the U.S. customs laws at Title 19 of the U.S. Code, the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (50 U.S.C. §§ 4801-4861), the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 C.F.R. Parts 120–130), the Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. Parts 730-774), the U.S. customs regulations at 19 C.F.R. Chapter I, and the Foreign Trade Regulations (15 C.F.R. Part 30); and (b) all applicable trade, export control, import, and antiboycott laws and regulations imposed, administered or enforced by any other country, except to the extent inconsistent with U.S. law.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Exchange Ratio” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(c).

Excluded Shares” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a).

Existing Acquiror Private Placement Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one (1) Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of eleven dollars fifty cents ($11.50), that was included in the Private Placement Units.

Existing Acquiror Public Warrant” means a warrant to purchase one (1) Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share at an exercise price of eleven dollars fifty cents ($11.50), that was included in the units sold as part of Acquiror’s initial public offering.

Extraordinary General Meeting” means a meeting of the holders of Acquiror Ordinary Shares to be held for the purpose of approving the Proposals.

Extension” means an extension, in accordance with the Acquiror Organizational Documents and the Trust Agreement, of the deadline by which Acquiror must complete its Business Combination, as contemplated by any Extension Proposal.

Extension Meeting” means the special meeting of Acquiror shareholders to approve the Extension Proposal.

 

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Extension Proposal” means the proposal to amend the Acquiror Organizational Documents to extend the period of time Acquiror is afforded under the Acquiror Organizational Documents to consummate an initial Business Combination, or any additional proposal to further extend such period of time.

Extension Proxy Statement” means the definitive proxy statement filed by Acquiror with the SEC on October 19, 2022, as amended, or any other definitive proxy statement related to any Extension Proposal.

Financial Derivative/Hedging Arrangement” means any transaction (including an agreement with respect thereto) which is a rate swap transaction, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any combination of these transactions.

Financial Statements” has the meaning specified in Section 6.10(a)

Fraud” means actual and intentional fraud under Delaware common law with a specific intent to deceive brought against a party hereto based on a representation or warranty of such party hereto contained in this Agreement; provided, that at the time such representation was made (i) such representation was inaccurate, (ii) such party hereto had actual knowledge (and not imputed or constructive knowledge) of the inaccuracy of such representation, (iii) such party hereto had the specific intent to deceive another party hereto, and (iv) the other party hereto acted in reliance on such inaccurate representation and suffered losses as a result of such inaccuracy. For the avoidance of doubt, “Fraud” does not include any claim for equitable fraud, promissory fraud, unfair dealings fraud, or any torts (including a claim for fraud) based on negligence or recklessness.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

Government Official” means any official or employee of any directly or indirectly government-owned or controlled entity, and any officer or employee of a public international organization, as well as any person acting in an official capacity for or on behalf of any such entity or for or on behalf of any such public international organization.

Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, provincial, municipal, local or foreign government, governmental authority, regulatory or administrative agency, governmental commission, department, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, arbitrator, court or tribunal.

Governmental Order” means any order, judgment, injunction, decree, writ, stipulation, determination or award, in each case, entered by or with any Governmental Authority.

 

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Hazardous Material” means any material, substance or waste that is listed, regulated, or defined as “hazardous,” “toxic,” or “radioactive,” or as a “pollutant” or “contaminant” (or words of similar intent or meaning), or otherwise subject to liability or standards of care under applicable Environmental Laws, including but not limited to petroleum, petroleum by-products, asbestos or asbestos-containing material, polychlorinated biphenyls, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, flammable or explosive substances, toxic mold or pesticides.

HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, any obligations (whether or not contingent) consisting of (a) the outstanding principal amount of and accrued and unpaid interest on, and other payment obligations for, borrowed money, or payment obligations issued or incurred in substitution or exchange for payment obligations for borrowed money, (b) amounts owing as deferred purchase price for property or services, including “earnout” payments, (c) payment obligations evidenced by any promissory note, bond, debenture, mortgage or other debt instrument or debt security, (d) contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bankers’ acceptance or similar facilities (in each case to the extent drawn), (e) payment obligations of a third party secured by (or for which the holder of such payment obligations has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, on assets or properties of such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) Capitalized Lease Obligations, (g) obligations under any Financial Derivative/Hedging Arrangement, (h) any other indebtedness or obligation reflected or required to be reflected as indebtedness in a consolidated balance sheet, in accordance with GAAP, (i) the aggregate amount of any underfunded or unfunded pension or retiree health or welfare liabilities (calculated on a termination basis, where applicable), (j) the amount of any accrued and unpaid base salary, annual or other bonuses, commissions or similar payments earned in respect of any period prior to the Closing, and any unpaid severance, termination pay or similar amounts payable or to become payable to any employee or other service provider whose employment or engagement terminated at or prior to the Closing, (k) the value of all earned or accrued but unused paid time off or vacation/sick benefits of the employee or other service provider, (l) all 401(k) plan employer matching, profit sharing, true-up or other contributions or allocations in respect of the period prior to the Closing (including any partial payroll period) (whether or not accrued) that have not been contributed or otherwise remain unpaid or unallocated, (m) payroll, social security, unemployment and similar Taxes payable by such Person in respect of any payments or benefits described in subsections (i) through (l) as if paid on the Closing Date without regard for any ability to defer Taxes under the CARES Act, (n) any Deferred Payroll Taxes, (o) guarantees, make-whole agreements, hold harmless agreements or other similar arrangements with respect to any amounts of a type described in clauses (a) through (n) above, and (p) with respect to each of the foregoing, any unpaid interest, breakage costs, prepayment or redemption penalties or premiums, or other unpaid fees or obligations (including unreimbursed expenses or indemnification obligations for which a claim has been made); provided, however, that Indebtedness shall not include accounts payable to trade creditors that are not past due and accrued expenses arising in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

 

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Information or Document Request” means any request or demand for the production, delivery or disclosure of documents or other evidence, or any request or demand for the production of witnesses for interviews or depositions or other oral or written testimony, by any Regulatory Consent Authority relating to the transactions contemplated hereby or by any third party challenging the transactions contemplated hereby, including any so called “second request” for additional information or documentary material or any civil investigative demand made or issued by the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission or any subpoena, interrogatory or deposition.

Intellectual Property” means all intellectual property rights and other proprietary rights of any kind, as they exist anywhere in the world, whether registered or unregistered, including all: (i) patents and patent applications (including any renewals, extensions, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, reexaminations and interferences thereof, substitutions and foreign counterparts relating to any such patents and patent applications, and industrial property rights); (ii) trademarks, service marks, trade dress, trade and brand names and logos and social media designations, together with all goodwill associated therewith and any registrations and applications for registration therefor; (iii) rights associated with works of authorship, including exclusive exploitation rights, copyrights, mask works and designs and related moral rights, and any registrations and applications for registration therefor; (iv) internet domain names; (v) trade secrets and other intellectual property rights in know-how, inventions, processes, procedures and other confidential and proprietary information rights; (vi) rights in databases and data collections (including knowledge databases, customer lists and customer databases); (vii) intellectual property rights in Software; and (viii) all past, present and future claims and causes of action arising out of or related to infringement or misappropriation of any of the foregoing.

Interim Period” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Intervening Event” means an event, fact, development, circumstance or occurrence, that materially and negatively affects the business, assets, operations or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that was not known and was not reasonably foreseeable to the Acquiror or the Acquiror Board as of the date hereof (or the consequences of which were not reasonably foreseeable to the Acquiror Board as of the date hereof), and that becomes known to the Acquiror Board after the date of this Agreement (but specifically excluding (i) a Competing Proposal, and (ii) any event, fact, development, circumstance or occurrence described in clauses (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g) of the definition of Material Adverse Effect). For the avoidance of doubt the Acquiror Share Redemption shall not be deemed to be an Intervening Event.

Intervening Event Notice Period” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(d).

IT Systems” means all computer hardware (including hardware, firmware, peripherals, communication equipment and links, storage media, networking equipment, power supplies and any other components used in conjunction with the foregoing), data processing systems, Software, and all other information technology equipment owned or controlled by the Company and its Subsidiaries and used in the operation of its business.

 

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Knowledge” shall mean the actual knowledge of (i) in the case of the Company, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and (ii) in the case of Acquiror, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

Law” means any statute, law (including common law), constitution, act, treaty, convention, code, ordinance, rule, regulation or Governmental Order, in each case, of any Governmental Authority.

Lease Documents” has the meaning specified in Section 4.18(c).

Leased Company Properties” has the meaning specified in Section 4.18(b).

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, easement, right of way, purchase option, right of first refusal, covenant, restriction, security interest, title defect, encroachment or other survey defect, or other lien or encumbrance of any kind, except for (a) any restrictions arising under any applicable Securities Laws, and (b) immaterial easements, rights of way, covenants, encumbrances or restrictions that do not materially detract from the value of the underlying asset or interfere with the use of, or in the case of real property, occupancy of, the asset.

Listing Application” has the meaning specified in Section 7.06(b).

Majority Acquiror Shareholder Approval” means, with respect to any Proposal other than the Redomicile Proposal, the Name Change Proposal and the Amendment Proposal, the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes cast by holders of Acquiror Ordinary Shares voting in person or by proxy at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, change, circumstance or development that has a material adverse effect on (i) the assets, business, results of operations or financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions; provided, however, that in no event would any of the following (or any event, change, circumstance or development to the extent primarily arising out of any of the following), alone or in combination, be deemed to constitute, or be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a “Material Adverse Effect” pursuant to clause (i) above: (a) any actual or proposed change or development in applicable Laws (including COVID-19 Measures) or GAAP or any official interpretation thereof, (b) any change or development in interest rates, exchange rates, or economic, political, legislative, regulatory, business, financial, commodity (including agricultural products), currency or market conditions generally affecting the economy or the industry in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate, (c) the announcement or the execution of this Agreement, the pendency or consummation of the Merger or the performance of this Agreement, including the impact thereof on relationships, contractual or otherwise, with customers, suppliers, licensors, distributors, partners, providers, employees, or contractors, (d) any change generally affecting any of

 

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the industries or markets in which the Company or its Subsidiaries operate or the economy as a whole, (e) the compliance with the terms of this Agreement or the taking of any action, or failure to take action, required or contemplated by this Agreement or with the prior written consent of Acquiror (provided, that the exceptions in this clause (e) shall not be deemed to apply to references to “Material Adverse Effect” in the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.02(b) and, to the extent related thereto, the condition in Section 9.02(a)), (f) any earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, tornado, flood, mudslide, wild fire or other natural disaster, epidemic, disease outbreak, pandemic (including COVID-19 (or any mutation or variation thereof or related health condition)), weather condition, explosion fire, act of God or other force majeure event, (g) any (x) armed hostilities or the escalation thereof, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of any national emergency or war, or (y) military or terrorist attack, or escalation thereof, and (h) any failure of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole to meet any projections, forecasts or budgets; provided, that clause (h) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change or effect underlying such failure to meet projections or forecasts has resulted in, or contributed to, or would reasonably be expected to result in or contribute to, a Material Adverse Effect (to the extent such change or effect is not otherwise excluded from this definition of Material Adverse Effect), except in the case of clause (a), (b), (d), (f) and (g) to the extent that such change has a disproportionate impact on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as compared to other industry participants.

Material Contracts” has the meaning specified in Section 4.12(a).

Merger” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Merger Consideration” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(c).

Merger Sub” has the meaning specified in the preamble hereto.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

Name Change Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Nasdaq Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Obligations” means any duties, debts, guarantees, responsibilities, liabilities, assurances, commitments and obligations, costs and expenses of whatever kind and nature, whether legal or equitable, whether vested, absolute or contingent, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due, patent or latent, and whether based in common law or statute or arising under Contract or by action of any Governmental Authority or otherwise.

Offer” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

 

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Offtake Agreement” means a fully executed and binding agreement for the sale and delivery of products by the Company or a Subsidiary thereof to the counterparty thereto, with material terms substantially consistent with those disclosed to Acquiror prior to the date hereof (with such modifications thereto as may be consented to by Acquiror, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Outstanding Acquiror Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(b).

Outstanding Company Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 3.06(a).

Owned Company Software” means all Software owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries purport to own.

Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries purport to own.

Permitted Liens” means (i) statutory or common law Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen, landlords, carriers, repairmen, construction contractors and other similar Liens (A) that arise in the ordinary course of business, (B) relate to amounts not yet delinquent or (C) that are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions and either are not material or appropriate reserves for the amount being contested have been established in accordance with GAAP on the Financial Statements, (ii) Liens arising under original purchase price conditional sales contracts and equipment leases with third parties entered into in the ordinary course of business, (iii) Liens for Taxes (A) not yet delinquent or (B) which are being contested in good faith through appropriate Actions and for which appropriate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (iv) non-monetary Liens, encumbrances and restrictions on real property (including easements, covenants, rights of way and similar restrictions of record) that do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially interfere with the present uses or occupancy of such real property, or which do not materially detract from the value of the underlying asset, (v) non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property, (vi) Liens that secure obligations that are reflected as liabilities on the balance sheet included in the Financial Statements (which such Liens are referenced or the existence of which such Liens is referred to in the notes to the balance sheet included in the Financial Statements), (vii) requirements and restrictions of zoning, building and other applicable Laws and municipal by-laws, and development, site plan, subdivision or other agreements with municipalities, which do not materially interfere with the current use or occupancy of any real property leased by the Company, or which do not materially detract from the value of the underlying asset, and (viii) Liens described on Schedule 101(a).

Person” means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint venture, joint stock company, Governmental Authority or other entity of any kind.

Personal Information” means any information controlled or in the possession of the Company, that identifies any natural Person, including names, addresses, telephone numbers, personal health information, drivers’ license numbers and government-issued identification numbers, as applicable.

 

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PIPE Investment” means the purchase and sale of shares of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to Subscription Agreements.

PIPE Investment Amount” means the aggregate purchase price to be received by Acquiror upon the closing of all PIPE Investments (after they payment of all associated commissions and expenses).

Pre-Closing Financing” means any Acquiror Pre-Closing Financing or Company Pre-Closing Financing, as applicable.

Privacy Laws” means any and all Laws and binding guidelines and industry standards, in each case, as applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Processing of Personal Information.

Private Placement Units” means the private placement units sold to Sponsor and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. simultaneously with the closing of Acquiror’s initial public offering, each consisting of one Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share and one-third of one Existing Acquiror Private Placement Warrant.

Processing” means any operation or set of operations performed on Personal Information, including storing, use, disclosure, collection, transferring or otherwise interacting with the Personal Information.

Proposals” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Proxy Statement” means the proxy statement filed by Acquiror as part of the Registration Statement with respect to the Extraordinary General Meeting for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Acquiror Shareholders to approve the Proposals (which shall also provide the Acquiror Shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their Acquiror Public Shares in conjunction with a shareholder vote on the Business Combination).

Redeeming Shareholder” means an Acquiror Shareholder who demands that Acquiror redeem its Acquiror Public Shares for cash in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise in accordance with the Acquiror Organizational Documents.

Redomicile” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Redomicile Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Registered IP” has the meaning specified in Section 4.15(a).

Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Registration Statement” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(a).

 

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Regulatory Approvals” has the meaning specified in Section 9.01(a).

Regulatory Consent Authorities” means the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice or the United States Federal Trade Commission, as applicable.

Related Party” means, with respect to any party hereto, any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, or any business, entity or Person that any of the foregoing controls, is controlled by or is under common control with.

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

Required Acquiror Shareholder Approvals” means the Transaction Proposal, Redomicile Proposal, Name Change Proposal, Amendment Proposal, Nasdaq Proposal, and the Acquiror Equity Plan Proposal.

Representative” means, as to any Person, any of the officers, directors, managers, employees, counsel, accountants, financial advisors, lenders, debt financing sources and consultants of such Person.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country or territory that is itself the target of comprehensive Sanctions (as of the date of this Agreement, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Crimea region of Ukraine, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, and the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic).

Sanctioned Person” means any Person that is the target of Sanctions, including (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any Member State of the European Union, or the United Kingdom; (b) any Person operating, organized, or resident in a Sanctioned Country; (c) the government of a Sanctioned Country or the Government of Venezuela; or (d) any Person 50% or more owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons or acting for or on behalf of such Person or Persons.

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or the United Kingdom.

Schedules” means the disclosure schedules of the Company or Acquiror, as applicable.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

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Securities Laws” means the securities laws of any state, federal or foreign entity and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Software” means any and all (a) computer programs, including any and all software implementation of algorithms, models and methodologies, whether in source code, object code, human readable form or other form, (b) databases and compilations, including any and all data and collections of data, whether machine readable or otherwise, (c) descriptions, flow charts and other work products used to design, plan, organize and develop any of the foregoing, screens, user interfaces, report formats, firmware, development tools, templates, menus, buttons and icons and (d) all documentation including user manuals and other training documentation relating to any of the foregoing.

Sponsor” means 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC.

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

Subscription Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Acquiror and any purchaser, following the date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, relating to a private placement of Acquiror Common Stock, such private placement to be consummated immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, which agreement shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to a Person, any corporation or other organization (including a limited liability company or a partnership), whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which such Person directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the securities or other interests having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization or any organization of which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

Supermajority Acquiror Shareholder Approval” means, with respect to the Redomicile Proposal, the Name Change Proposal and the Amendment Proposal, the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the votes eligible to be cast by the holders of the outstanding Acquiror Ordinary Shares who, being present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, actually vote at the Extraordinary General Meeting, with, in respect of the Redomicile Proposal only, each holder of Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares having 10 votes for every Acquiror Class B Ordinary Share held and each holder of Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares having one vote for every Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share held.

Support Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Surviving Corporation” has the meaning specified in the Recitals hereto.

Surviving Provisions” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(a).

 

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Tax” means any federal, state, provincial, territorial, local, foreign and other net income, alternative or add-on minimum, franchise, gross income, adjusted gross income or gross receipts, employment, unemployment, compensation, utility, social security (or similar), withholding, payroll, ad valorem, transfer, windfall profits, franchise, license, branch, excise, severance, production, stamp, occupation, premium, personal property, real property, capital stock, profits, disability, registration, value added, capital gains, goods and services, estimated, sales, use, or other tax, governmental fee or other like assessment, together with any interest, penalty, fine, levy, impost, duty, charge, addition to tax or additional amount imposed with respect thereto by a Governmental Authority.

Tax Authority” means any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction or authority to impose, administer, levy, assess or collect Tax.

Tax Return” means any return, report, statement, refund, claim, election, disclosure, declaration, information report or return, estimate or other document filed or required to be filed with a Tax Authority with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto and including any amendments thereof.

Terminating Acquiror Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(c).

Terminating Company Breach” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

Termination Date” has the meaning specified in Section 10.01(b).

Termination Fee” means an amount of cash equal to one percent (1.0%) of the Merger Consideration.

Transaction Proposal” has the meaning specified in Section 8.02(c).

Transactions” means the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing, including the Redomicile, the Merger and any PIPE Investment.

Treasury Regulations” means the regulations promulgated under the Code.

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

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

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

Warrant Agreement” means that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2021, between Acquiror and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent.

Willful Breach” means, with respect to any agreement, a party’s knowing and intentional material breach of any of its representations or warranties as set forth in such agreement, or such party’s material breach of any of its covenants or other agreements set forth in such agreement, which material breach constitutes, or is a consequence of, a purposeful act or failure to act by such party with the knowledge that the taking of such act or failure to take such act would cause a material breach of such agreement.

 

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Working Capital Loans” means any loan made to Acquiror by any of the Sponsor, an Affiliate of the Sponsor, or any of Acquiror’s officers or directors, and evidenced by a promissory note, for the purpose of financing costs incurred in connection with a Business Combination.

1.02 Construction.

(a) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include each other gender, (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number, respectively, (iii) the terms “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereto” and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement, (iv) the terms “Article”, “Section”, “Schedule”, “Exhibit” and “Annex” refer to the specified Article, Section, Schedule, Exhibit or Annex of or to this Agreement unless otherwise specified, (v) the word “including” shall mean “including without limitation”, (vi) the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive and (vii) any reference to a Law shall mean such Law as amended.

(b) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to agreements and other documents shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments and other modifications thereto.

(c) Unless the context of this Agreement otherwise requires, references to statutes shall include all regulations promulgated thereunder and references to statutes or regulations shall be construed as including all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending or replacing the statute or regulation.

(d) The language used in this Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

(e) Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. If any action is to be taken or given on or by a particular calendar day, and such calendar day is not a Business Day, then such action may be deferred until the next Business Day.

(f) All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to them under GAAP.

(g) The phrases “delivered,” “provided to,” “furnished to,” “made available” and phrases of similar import when used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, means that a copy of the information or material referred to has been provided no later than two (2) Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement to the party to which such information or material is to be provided or furnished (i) in the virtual “data room” set up by the Company in connection with this Agreement or (ii) by delivery to such party or its legal counsel via electronic mail or hard copy form.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE MERGER; CLOSING

2.01 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, following the Redomicile, at the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall be merged with and into the Company, with the Company being the Surviving Corporation. Following the Merger the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease. The Merger shall be consummated in accordance with this Agreement and the DGCL and evidenced by a certificate of merger (the “Certificate of Merger”), such Merger to be consummated upon filing of the Certificate of Merger or at such later time as may be agreed by Acquiror and the Company in writing and specified in the Certificate of Merger (the “Effective Time”).

2.02 Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set forth in this Agreement and the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing and subject thereto, by virtue of the Merger and without further act or deed, at the Effective Time, all of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation and all of the debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

2.03 Closing. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) shall take place electronically through the exchange of documents via e-mail or facsimile on the date which is two (2) Business Days after the first date on which all conditions set forth in Article IX shall have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver thereof) or such other time and place as Acquiror and the Company may mutually agree in writing. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is referred to in this Agreement as the “Closing Date.” Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions set forth in Article IX of this Agreement, and provided this Agreement has not theretofore been terminated pursuant to its terms, on the Closing Date, (i) the Company shall cause the Certificate of Merger to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as provided in Sections 251 and 103 of the DGCL, (ii) by virtue of the Merger, the Name Change will occur, and (iii) Acquiror shall have been approved to trade publicly on Nasdaq under a new ticker symbol selected by the Company.

2.04 Organizational Documents of the Company and Acquiror. At the Effective Time, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the certificate of incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter supplemented or amended in accordance with its terms and the DGCL.

2.05 Directors and Officers of the Companies.

(a) Persons constituting the officers of the Company prior to the Effective Time shall be appointed as the officers of the Surviving Corporation until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly appointed.

 

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(b) Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and Acquiror prior to the Closing, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, subject to any limitation imposed under applicable Laws and Nasdaq listing requirements, Acquiror shall take all necessary action prior to the Effective Time such that (i) each director of Acquiror in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to be a director immediately following the Effective Time (including by causing each such director to tender an irrevocable resignation as a director, effective as of the Effective Time), (ii) immediately after the Effective Time, the Acquiror Board shall consist of seven (7) members, and (iii) the initial members of the Acquiror Board shall be the individuals set forth on Exhibit I, each to serve in the applicable class of directors identified therein. If necessary to effect the foregoing, the Acquiror Board shall adopt resolutions prior to the Effective Time that expand or decrease the size of the Acquiror Board and appoint such persons to the vacancies resulting from the incumbent directors’ respective resignations or, if applicable, the newly created directorships upon any expansion of the size of the Acquiror Board. Each person appointed as a director of Acquiror pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall remain in office as a director of Acquiror until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. If any of the directors set forth on Exhibit H shall be unable or unwilling to serve at the Closing, the party entitled to nominate such individual’s replacement (as so designated on Exhibit H), shall promptly designate a replacement director and provide any relevant information about such appointee as the other party may reasonably request.

(c) Acquiror shall take all necessary action prior to the Effective Time such that (i) each officer of Acquiror in office immediately prior to the Effective Time shall cease to be an officer immediately following the Effective Time and (ii) the persons constituting the officers of the Company prior to the Effective Time shall, as of immediately following the Effective Time, be appointed the officers of Acquiror in identical positions until the earlier of their death, resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly appointed.

ARTICLE III

EFFECTS OF THE MERGER

3.01 Effect on Capital Stock. By virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Acquiror, Merger Sub or the holder of any Company Stock:

(a) Conversion of Merger Sub Common Stock. Each share of common stock of Merger Sub, par value $0.0001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be converted at the Effective Time into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation, par value $0.0001 per share, and such shares will constitute the only outstanding equity interests of the Surviving Corporation following the Merger.

(b) Cancellation of Certain Company Stock. Each share of Company Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time that is held by the Company in treasury or owned by Acquiror or by Merger Sub shall no longer be outstanding and shall be automatically cancelled and shall cease to exist (the “Cancelled Shares”), and no consideration shall be delivered in exchange therefor.

 

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(c) Conversion of All Other Company Stock. Each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any Cancelled Shares and Dissenting Shares, shall be converted into the right to receive the number of shares of duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable shares of Acquiror Common Stock (deemed to have a value of ten dollars ($10) per share) (the “Merger Consideration”) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of (1) $450,000,000 and (2) the aggregate amount of any Company Pre-Closing Financing by (ii) ten dollars ($10) by (y) the Aggregate Fully Diluted Company Shares (the “Exchange Ratio”).

3.02 Equitable Adjustments. If, between the date of this Agreement and the Closing, the outstanding shares of Company Stock or Acquiror Ordinary Shares shall have been changed into a different number of shares or a different class or series, by reason of any stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification, recapitalization, split, change, combination or exchange of shares, or any similar event shall have occurred, then any number, value (including dollar value) or amount contained herein which is based upon the number of shares of Company Stock or Acquiror Ordinary Shares will be appropriately adjusted to provide to the holders of Company Stock and the holders of Acquiror Ordinary Shares the same economic effect as contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 3.02 shall not be construed to permit Acquiror, the Company or Merger Sub to take any action with respect to their respective securities that is prohibited by the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

3.03 Exchange of Company Certificates and Company Book-Entry Shares.

(a) Exchange Procedures. At the Closing, the Company Stockholders holding Company Common Stock shall deliver the certificates or book entry statements evidencing their right to shares of Company Common Stock (collectively, the “Company Certificates”), other than Cancelled Shares and Dissenting Shares, to Acquiror for cancellation, or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificate, will deliver to Acquiror an affidavit (and indemnity if required) in the manner provided in Section 3.03(e) below, and, in exchange therefor, Acquiror shall instruct its transfer agent to issue the Merger Consideration in book-entry form, and Company Certificates shall forthwith be cancelled. Until so surrendered, outstanding Company Certificates will be deemed, from and after the Effective Time, to evidence only the right to receive the Merger Consideration as prescribed by this Agreement.

(b) Distributions With Respect to Unexchanged Shares. No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the date hereof with respect to Acquiror Common Stock with a record date after the Effective Time will be paid to the holders of any unsurrendered Company Certificates with respect to the Merger Consideration to be issued upon surrender thereof until the holders of record of such Company Certificates shall surrender such certificates. Subject to applicable law, following surrender of any such Company Certificates, Acquiror shall promptly deliver to the record holders thereof, without interest, the Merger Consideration issued in exchange therefor in book-entry form and the amount of any such dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time theretofore paid with respect thereto.

(c) Transfers of Ownership. If Merger Consideration is to be issued in book-entry form in a name other than that in which the Company Certificates surrendered in exchange therefor are registered, it will be a condition of the issuance thereof that the Company Certificates so surrendered will be properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the persons requesting such exchange will have paid to Acquiror or any agent designated by it any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of the Merger Consideration in any name other than that of the registered holder of the Company Certificates surrendered, or established to the reasonable satisfaction of Acquiror or any agent designated by it that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

 

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(d) No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. All shares of Acquiror Common Stock issued in accordance with the terms hereof shall be deemed to have been issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to the Company Common Stock and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Corporation of the shares of Company Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Company Certificates are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Section 3.03.

(e) Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Company Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, Acquiror shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificates, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, the aggregate Merger Consideration into which the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented by such Company Certificates was converted into and any dividends or distributions payable pursuant to Section 3.03(b); provided, however, that, as a condition precedent to the delivery of such Merger Consideration, the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed Company Certificates shall indemnify Acquiror against any claim that may be made against Acquiror or the Surviving Corporation with respect to the Company Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

3.04 Withholding. Each of Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company, the Surviving Corporation and their respective Affiliates and agents (each, a “Payor”) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any consideration or amounts otherwise deliverable or payable under this Agreement such amounts that any such Persons are required to deduct and withhold with respect to any of the deliveries and payments contemplated by this Agreement under the Code or any other applicable Law; provided that the Payor shall use reasonable best efforts to provide the relevant payee with at least five (5) days’ notice of the applicability of any withholding Tax and Payor and the payee shall work together during such five (5) day period to reduce or eliminate any such withholding Tax, to the extent possible under applicable Laws. The parties shall reasonably consult and cooperate in good faith to determine any withholding required in respect of any consideration or amounts deliverable or payable under this Agreement. To the extent that a Payor withholds or deducts such amounts with respect to any Person, such withheld or deducted amounts shall be treated as having been paid to or on behalf of such Person in respect of which such withholding or deduction was made for all purposes. In the case of any such payment payable to employees of the Company or its Affiliates in connection with the Merger treated as compensation, the parties shall cooperate to pay such amounts through the Company’s or an Affiliate’s payroll to facilitate applicable withholding.

3.05 No Fractional Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of Acquiror Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of Company Common Stock pursuant to Section 3.01, and such fractional share interests shall not entitle the owner thereof to vote or to any other rights of a holder of Acquiror Common Stock. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional share, Acquiror shall pay to each former Company Stockholder who otherwise would be entitled to receive such fractional share, after aggregating all fractional shares that otherwise would be paid to such person, one (1) share of Acquiror Common Stock.

 

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3.06 Payment of Expenses.

(a) On the Closing Date following the Closing, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of the Company for outside counsel incurred in connection with the Transactions and fees and expenses of the Company for any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts and financial advisors employed by the Company incurred in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Outstanding Company Expenses”).

(b) On the Closing Date following the Closing, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid by wire transfer of immediately available funds all reasonable, documented out-of-pocket fees and disbursements of Acquiror and Merger Sub for outside counsel incurred in connection with the Transactions and fees and expenses of Acquiror and Merger Sub for any other agents, advisors, consultants, experts and financial advisors employed by or on behalf of Acquiror or Merger Sub incurred in connection with the Transactions (collectively, the “Outstanding Acquiror Expenses”).

3.07 Dissenting Shares. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, shares of Company Stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and held by a Company Stockholder entitled to vote in respect of such shares of Company Stock who has not voted in favor of the Merger or consented thereto in writing or by electronic transmissions and has properly demanded appraisal for such shares in accordance with, and who complies in all respects with, Section 262 of the DGCL (such shares, “Dissenting Shares”), shall not be converted into the right to receive the Merger Consideration and shall instead represent the right to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Shares in accordance with and to the extent provided by Section 262 of the DGCL. At the Effective Time, (i) all Dissenting Shares shall be cancelled, extinguished and cease to exist and (ii) the holders of Dissenting Shares shall be entitled to only such rights as may be granted to him, her or it under the DGCL. If any such Company Stockholder fails to perfect or otherwise waives, withdraws or loses such Company Stockholder’s right to appraisal under Section 262 of the DGCL or a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine such holder is not entitled to the relief provided by Section 262 of the DGCL, then the right of such holder to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shares under Section 262 of the DGCL shall cease and such Dissenting Shares shall be deemed to have been converted, as of the Effective Time, into and shall only represent the right to receive the Merger Consideration upon the surrender of such shares in accordance with this Article III. The Company shall give Acquiror reasonably prompt notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of shares of Company Stock, attempted withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company relating to rights to be paid the fair value of Dissenting Shares, and Acquiror shall have the right to participate in and direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Acquiror (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), make any payment with respect to, or settle or compromise or offer to settle or compromise, any such demands or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or otherwise comply with the provisions under Section 262 of the DGCL, or agree or commit to do any of the foregoing.

 

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3.08 Treatment of Company Options. Effective as of the Effective Time, each Company Option that is outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether or not then vested or exercisable, shall by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Acquiror or the Company, be assumed by Acquiror and shall be converted into a stock option (a “Converted Option”) to acquire shares of Acquiror Common Stock. Each such Converted Option as so assumed and converted shall continue to have, and shall be subject to, the same terms and conditions (including vesting) as applied to the Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time (but taking into account any changes thereto provided for in the applicable Equity Incentive Plan, in any award agreement or in such Company Option by reason of this Agreement or the Transactions). As of the Effective Time, each such Converted Option as so assumed and converted shall be exercisable for that number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of shares of the Company Stock subject to such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, which product shall be rounded up to the nearest whole share, at a per share exercise price determined by dividing the per share exercise price of such Company Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, which quotient shall be rounded up to the nearest whole cent; provided, however, that the conversion of the Company Options will be made in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.424-1, such that such conversion will not constitute a “modification” of such Company Options for purposes of Section 409A or Section 424 of the Code. As of the Effective Time, all Company Options shall no longer be outstanding and each holder of Converted Options shall cease to have any rights with respect to such Company Options, except as set forth in this Section 3.08. The Company shall take all necessary or desirable actions to effect the treatment of Company Options pursuant to this Section 3.08 in accordance with the applicable Equity Incentive Plan and the applicable award agreements.

3.09 Treatment of Company RSUs. As of immediately prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holders thereof, each Company RSU that is then outstanding shall be assumed and converted into an award of restricted stock units (an “Acquiror RSU”) covering a number of Acquiror Common Stock equal to the product of (A) the total number of shares of Company Stock subject to such Company RSU and (B) the Exchange Ratio, and rounding the resulting number down to the nearest whole share. Each such Acquiror RSU as so assumed and converted shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as applied to the Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (including vesting conditions) except to the extent such terms or conditions are rendered inoperative by the Transactions.

3.10 Treatment of Company Convertible Notes. At the Effective Time, each outstanding Company Convertible Note that was not optionally converted by its holder immediately prior to the Effective Time, will remain outstanding and convertible into shares of Acquiror Common Stock in accordance with the terms of such Company Convertible Note.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

Except as set forth in the Schedules to this Agreement (each of which qualifies (a) the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant if specified therein and (b) such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent on its face), the Company represents and warrants to Acquiror and Merger Sub as follows:

 

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4.01 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power. The Company is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the DGCL, and has all requisite legal entity power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions or have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company Organizational Documents that have been made available to Acquiror are true, correct and complete and are in effect as of the date of the Agreement and the Company is not in default under or in violation of any provision thereunder.

4.02 Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention.

(a) Except for the Company Stockholder Approvals, the Company has all requisite corporate or other legal entity power and authority, and has taken all corporate or other legal entity action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and, subject to satisfaction of the conditions to Closing contemplated hereby, to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the Transactions, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate consent and authorizations on the part of the Company, and no other corporate actions on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the Transactions, in each case, subject to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approvals. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, solvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and by general principles of equity (the “Enforceability Exceptions”)).

(b) The execution, delivery and, subject to receipt of the Company Stockholder Approvals, performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company is a party, and the consummation of the Transactions, do not, and will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the Company Organizational Documents or the organizational documents of any of the Company’s Subsidiaries and (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) of or default or change of control under, the creation or acceleration of any obligations under or the creation of a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates pursuant to, any Material Contract to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates is a party or, assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Transactions) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 4.02(a), under any Law to which the Company or any of its Affiliates is subject (except Laws that are applicable due to the Company’s business, or the Contracts or licenses of the Company), except (in the case of clause (ii) above) for such violations, breaches, defaults or changes of control which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(c) The Company Support Agreements will have been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties, will be a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company Stockholders party thereto, enforceable against the Company and the Company Stockholders in accordance with their terms (subject to the Enforceability Exceptions). The Company Stockholders that will be party to the Company Support Agreements will hold Company Stock representing the voting power sufficient as of the date of this Agreement to obtain the Company Stockholder Approvals.

4.03 Governmental Approvals. No consent of, or registration, declaration, notice or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required by or with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement or the consummation by the Company of the Transactions, except for (i) the pre-merger notification requirements under the HSR Act, (ii) such other consents, registrations, declarations, notices and filings which, if not obtained or made, would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

4.04 Capitalization.

(a) As of the close of business on September 30, 2022, the authorized capital stock of the Company consisted of 50,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which 10,000 shares of Company Common Stock were outstanding. All of the issued Company Stock has been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Set forth on Schedule 4.04 is a true, correct and complete list of each holder of issued and outstanding capital stock or other equity securities (including any securities convertible into equity securities) of the Company and the number of shares or other equity interests held by each such holder as of the date hereof. Each of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (i) is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) was issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Laws, (iii) was not issued in breach or violation of any preemptive rights or Contract to which the Company is a party, and (iv) is owned free and clear of any Lien imposed by or resulting from any Contract to which the Company is party (other than the Company Organizational Documents and Contracts that have been provided to Acquiror that set forth the Company Stockholders’ obligations to the Company).

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.04, there are no other outstanding equity interest in the Company, including any warrants, options, calls, pre-emptive rights, subscriptions, “phantom” stock rights or other rights, agreements, arrangements, convertible or exchangeable securities or other commitments (other than this Agreement) pursuant to which the Company is obligated to issue, transfer, sell, purchase, return or redeem or cause to be issued, transferred, sold, purchased, returned or redeemed any equity securities of the Company

 

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(c) Other than set forth on Schedule 4.05, the Company has no equity interest in, nor has it agreed to acquire, any share capital or other equity security of any other company (wherever incorporated).

4.05 Subsidiaries. The Subsidiaries of the Company as of the date hereof are set forth on Schedule 4.05, including, as of such date, a description of the capitalization of each such Subsidiary and the names of the record owners of all securities and other equity interests in each of the Company’s Subsidiaries. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries has been duly formed or organized and is validly existing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and has the organizational power and authority to own, lease and operate its assets and properties and to conduct its business as it is now being conducted, in each case, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company’s Subsidiaries is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation (or other entity, if applicable) in each jurisdiction in which its ownership of property or the character of its activities is such as to require it to be so licensed or qualified or in good standing, as applicable, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not had and would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and were issued in compliance with all applicable Laws. The Company or one or more of its wholly owned Subsidiaries own of record and beneficially all the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of such Subsidiaries free and clear of any Liens other than transfer restrictions under applicable Laws and such Subsidiaries’ organizational documents.

4.06 Financial Statements; Internal Controls. The Company maintains a system of accounting and internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of the financial reporting and the preparation of the financial statements of the Company in accordance in all material respects with GAAP. Since its inception, the Company (including the Company’s personnel and independent accountants who participated in the preparation or review of financial statements or the internal accounting controls employed by the Company) have not identified nor been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by the Company, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management of the Company or any personnel involved in financial reporting or (iii) any written claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

4.07 Compliance with Laws.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries are conducting and, over the past three (3) years have conducted, their respective businesses in material compliance with all Laws applicable to them and the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business, properties or other assets.

(b) There is no, and in the past three (3) years there has been no, Action by or against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending or threatened in writing, nor has any Governmental Authority indicated in writing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries an intention to initiate or conduct the same.

 

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(c) Over the past three (3) years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written notice or other communication (official or otherwise) from any Governmental Authority (i) with respect to an alleged, actual or potential violation and/or failure to comply, in any material respect, with any such applicable Law or (ii) requiring the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to take or omit any action to ensure compliance with any such applicable Law.

(d) The Company and its Subsidiaries possess all material governmental permits, approvals, orders, authorizations, consents, licenses, certificates, franchises, exemptions or waivers of, or filings or registrations with, or issued by, any Governmental Authority necessary for the ownership and use of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the operation of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ business as currently conducted (the “Company Permits”). All such Company Permits are valid and in full force and effect, and there are no lawsuits or other proceedings pending or threatened before any Governmental Authority that seek the revocation, cancellation, suspension or adverse material modification thereof. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in any material respect of, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no condition exists that with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute a material default, under the Company Permits.

4.08 Absence of Certain Changes or Events. (a) Since the Balance Sheet Date and except as expressly required by this Agreement, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have conducted its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and (ii) no action has been taken by the Company or its Subsidiaries that would require consent under Section 6.01 if such action were taken after signing of this Agreement and prior to Closing (other than for any such actions for which such consent has been received in accordance with Section 6.01) and (b) as of the date hereof, there has not been any change, effect, event, circumstance, occurrence or state of facts that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4.09 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except (a) as disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements, (b) for liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Balance Sheet Date, (c) as expressly permitted or contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise incurred in connection with the Transactions, (d) as disclosed on Schedule 4.09, (e) contingent liabilities under executory contracts and (f) for liabilities that have been discharged or paid in full in the ordinary course of business, as of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have any liabilities of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise, of the type required by GAAP to be disclosed or reserved for on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

4.10 Information Supplied. The information supplied in writing by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement will not (a) in the case of the Registration Statement, at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act and (b) in the case of the Proxy Statement, as of the date the Proxy Statement is first mailed to the Acquiror Shareholders and at the time of any meeting of the Acquiror Shareholders to be held in connection with the Transactions, contain any untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company makes no representation or warranty or covenant with respect to: (x) statements made or incorporated by reference therein in any of the foregoing documents based on information supplied by Acquiror for inclusion therein or (y) any projections or forecasts or forward looking statements included in the Registration Statement or Proxy Statement.

 

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4.11 Litigation.

(a) Except as disclosed, reflected or reserved against in the Financial Statements, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of their officers, directors, agents or employees, in their capacities as such, is the subject of or engaged in any material Action or other dispute resolution process before a third party, whether as claimant, defendant or otherwise, and no such Action or dispute resolution process is pending or threatened in writing on the date hereof. As of the date hereof, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor to the Knowledge of the Company is any of its officers, directors, agents or employees, in their capacities as such, is subject to any settlement agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral, or is in discussions for a settlement or arrangement, regarding any material Actions.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or subject to the provisions of any outstanding Governmental Order (except if generally applicable without the Company or any of its Subsidiaries being named therein).

4.12 Contracts.

(a) Schedule 4.12(a) sets forth a true and complete list as of the date hereof, of the following Contracts that are effective as of the date hereof and to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is bound (all such Contracts set forth on Schedule 4.12(a), or which are required to be so disclosed, the “Material Contracts”):

(i) all such Contracts with a supplier of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with a total annual payment or financial commitment exceeding $1,000,000 on an annual basis;

(ii) all such Contracts with third party manufacturers and suppliers for the manufacture and supply of products providing for minimum order quantities, minimum purchase requirements or exclusive supply, manufacturing or purchase requirements with a total annual payment or financial commitment exceeding $2,500,000 on an annual basis;

(iii) all such Contracts with (or with obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to) a Related Party;

(iv) all such Contracts that contain any covenant materially limiting or prohibiting the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (A) to engage in any line of business or conduct business in any geographic area, (B) to distribute or offer any products or services, (C) to compete with any other person in any line of business or in any geographic area or levying a fine, charge or other payment for doing any of the foregoing or (D) to employ, hire or enter into a consultancy agreement with any person or entity, in each case other than provisions of non-solicitation in the ordinary course in agreements with suppliers and customers;

 

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(v) all such Contracts in which the aggregate outstanding expenditure or payment obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries exceeds $2,500,000, excluding obligations that are contingent liabilities in respect of a breach or indemnification obligation or similar contingent obligation as a result of a breach or default;

(vi) all Contracts with the ten (10) largest customers of the Company and its Subsidiaries (based on revenue per customer) during the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020;

(vii) any Contract for the use by Company or its Subsidiaries of any tangible property where the annual lease payments are greater than $500,000 (other than any lease of vehicles, office equipment or operating equipment made in the ordinary course of business)

(viii) any partnership, joint venture or other similar agreement or arrangement providing for the formation, creation, operation, management or control of any partnership or joint venture with a third party to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, other than bona fide customer-supplier relationships or a trade association;

(ix) all such Contracts providing for the acquisition or disposition of any business, equity interests or material assets (whether by merger, sale of stock, sale of assets or otherwise) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any ongoing obligation (including for deferred purchase price obligations, earn-out obligations, indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities (including payment obligations in respect of the future utilization of any net operating losses));

(x) all such Contracts that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person (other than advances to employees for business expenses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice);

(xi) any note, mortgage, indenture or other obligation or agreement or other instrument for or relating to indebtedness for borrowed money in excess of $1,000,000, or any guarantee of third party obligations in excess of $1,000,000, or any letters of credit, performance bonds or other credit support for the Company;

(xii) any Contract that creates guarantees or liens of any nature on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets not in the ordinary course of business and in an amount equal to or greater than $1,000,000;

(xiii) any Contract that is related to the governance or operation of any material joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement;

(xiv) any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor or trade union, works council, or other labor organization (each a “CBA”);

(xv) all such contracts or agreements with any employee, officer, director or other individual service provider that (A) provide for annual compensation in excess of $250,000 or (B) are not terminable by the Company on no more than thirty (30) days’ notice and without liability or financial obligation to the Company;

 

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(xvi) all such Contracts providing for the development of any Intellectual Property, independently or jointly, by or for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Contracts entered into pursuant to a form employee invention assignment agreement between the Company or such Subsidiary and an employee of the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, regarding the development of Intellectual Property by such employee; and

(xvii) all such material Contracts pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries grants or is granted a license to, or other rights under, any Intellectual Property, excluding any (A) “shrink-wrap”, “click-through” and “off-the-shelf” agreements involving an annual payment of less than $1,000,000, (B) open source licenses and (C) agreements with customers/clients entered into in the ordinary course of business.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is, nor has it received written notice that any other party to any Material Contract is, in material violation or material breach of or material default (immediately or upon notice or lapse of time) under or (ii) has waived or failed to enforce any material rights or material benefits under any Material Contract to which it is a party or any of its properties or other assets is subject. No Material Contract is the subject of a notice to terminate, except for any expiration of the term of a Material Contract following the date of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Each Material Contract is in full force and effect and, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, is legal, valid and binding on the Company or the applicable Subsidiary, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, each other party thereto, except as would not be material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. There is no default under any such Material Contracts by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, in each case, except as would be material and adverse to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

4.13 Employment Matters.

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(a), (i) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or bound by any CBA (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters), or is negotiating or required to negotiate a CBA; (ii) no employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are represented by any labor or trade union, works council, or other labor organization with respect to their employment; (iii) in the past three (3) years, no labor or trade union, works council, other labor organization, or group of employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has made a demand for recognition or certification, and there are no representation or certification proceedings presently pending or threatened to be brought or filed with the National Labor Relations Board or any other labor relations tribunal or authority; (iv) in the past three (3) years, there have been no actual or threatened organizing activities with respect to any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no such activities are currently pending or threatened; (v) in the past three (3) years, there has been no actual or threatened strike, lockout, work stoppage, slowdown, picketing, hand billing, unfair labor

 

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practice charge, material labor grievance, material labor arbitration or other material labor dispute against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and no such dispute is currently pending or threatened; and (vi) with respect to the Transactions, the Company and its Subsidiaries have satisfied all notice, bargaining, consent, consultation or other obligations to its employees and employees’ representatives under applicable Law and any CBA.

(b) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(b) or as required by applicable Law in any non-US jurisdictions where the Company or its Subsidiaries have operations or employees, there are no material Company Benefit Plans. The Company has provided to Acquiror with respect to each Company Benefit Plan: (i) true, correct and complete copies of such Company Benefit Plan, or with respect to any unwritten Company Benefit Plan, a written description of all material terms thereof, and any award documentation thereunder, (ii) the most recent determination, option or advisory letter received from the Internal Revenue Service, if any, (iii) the Form 5500 annual report and the financial statements and actuarial summary or other valuation reports prepared with respect thereto in the past three (3) years, (iv) each trust, insurance, annuity, stop-loss or other funding Contract or arrangement related thereto, (v) the most recent summary plan description and any summaries of material modification with respect thereto, (vi) discrimination or similar testing (and evidence of corrective action related thereto) for the past three (3) years, and (vii) all material non-routine correspondence or communications relating thereto with any Governmental Authority or participant within the past three (3) years.

(c) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan: (i) such Company Benefit Plan has been maintained, operated and administered in compliance in all material respects with its terms and with the requirements of applicable Law, including the Code and ERISA, (ii) all contributions or payments due to date have been made timely and in compliance with the terms of such Company Benefit Plan and applicable Law, or if not yet due, properly accrued (to the extent required or appropriate to be accrued in accordance with GAAP or otherwise in the ordinary course of business), (iii) no failure to pay premiums due or payable with respect to insurance policies relating to such Company Benefit Plan has resulted in default under any such policies, and (iv) there are no proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against or involving such Company Benefit Plan brought by or on behalf of any current or former employee or other service provider of the Company (or dependent or beneficiary thereof) or Governmental Authority (other than routine claims for benefits made in the ordinary course of business), in each case, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Company. Each Company Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service or, with respect to a prototype or volume submitter plan, can rely on an opinion or advisory letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the prototype plan or volume submitter plan sponsor, as to its qualification and to the effect that the plan’s related trust is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code, and nothing has occurred that could reasonably be expected to result in the revocation of such favorable determination.

(d) Neither the Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains, sponsors, contributes to or been obligated to contribute to (or has ever maintained, sponsored or contributed to or been obligated to contribute to) or has any Obligation with respect to, (i) any employee benefit plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, (ii) any Multiemployer Plan, (iii) any multiple employer plan (as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code), (iv) any voluntary employees’ beneficiary association described under Section 501(c)(9) of the Code or any “funded welfare plan” within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code, or (v) any multiple employer welfare arrangement (as defined under Section 3(40) of ERISA).

 

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(e) Each Company Benefit Plan that provides deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code satisfies, in form and operation, the requirements of Section 409 of the Code and the guidance thereunder. No current or former employee or other service provider of the Company is entitled to receive any gross-up or additional payment in connection with any Tax (including those imposed under Section 409A or Section 4999 of the Code).

(f) No Company Benefit Plan, fiduciary of such plan or administrator of such plan has taken any action, or failed to take any action, which action or failure could subject Acquiror or any of its Affiliates, or any current or former employee or other service provider of the Company, to any Tax, fine, lien, penalty or other Obligation imposed by ERISA, the Code or other applicable Laws (including any Obligation for breach of any fiduciary duty or any prohibited transaction as defined in Section 4975 of the Code, any Obligation pursuant to Section 502 of ERISA or any Tax imposed pursuant to Section 4976 of the Code), with respect to or in connection with any Company Benefit Plan. The Company is not bound by or otherwise subject to any agreement or Contract related to any Obligation under Section 4204 of ERISA.

(g) The Company does not provide (or has not at any time provided) or have any obligation to provide post-employment health, life or other welfare benefits, other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code (the full cost of which is borne by the applicable recipient of such benefits).

(h) Neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, either alone or in combination with the occurrence of any other event, would be reasonably likely to result in (i) any material payment or benefit becoming due to, or a material increase in, or acceleration of the timing of payment, funding or vesting of, the compensation or benefits of, any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) the receipt (whether in cash, property or the vesting of property) by any “disqualified individual” or any “parachute payment” (as such terms are defined in Section 280G of the Code).

(i) Except as would not result in material liability for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Company and its Subsidiaries are not subject to any fines, Taxes, interest, or other penalties levied by any Governmental Authority for any failure to pay or delinquency in paying any wages, salaries, wage premiums, commissions, bonuses, severance and termination payments, fees, and other compensation that has come due and payable to its current or former employees and other service providers under applicable Laws, Contract or Company policy.

(j) Over the past three (3) years (i) no employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries has made allegations of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or other harassment against any officer or director of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and (ii) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have entered into any settlement agreement related to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or other harassment by any current or former employee, independent contractor, director or officer of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

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(k) The Company has provided Acquiror a complete and accurate list of each employee employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof and each such employee’s job title.

(l) Except as set forth on Schedule 4.13(l), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or threatened with any Action involving any applicant, any former or current employee, any former or current individual or sole proprietor independent contractor, or otherwise relating to any labor or employment matters of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company.

(m) The Company and its Subsidiaries are, and for the past (3) three years have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Laws relating to labor and/or employment, including Laws regarding hiring, background checks, employee trainings and notices, immigration, authorization to work, notice, health and safety, wages and hours, classification of exempt employees, classification of independent contractors, harassment, discrimination, retaliation, accommodations, disability rights or benefits, plant closings and mass layoffs, workers’ compensation, labor relations, leaves of absences, time off, COVID-19, affirmative action, unemployment insurance, and/or termination of employment, except where such failure would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability.

(n) The Company and its Subsidiaries have not, in the past three (3) years, experienced or implemented a “plant closing” or “mass layoff” as defined in the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or any similar foreign, state or local law (each a “WARN Act”) or other event requiring notice under a WARN Act. In the six (6) month period immediately prior to the date hereof, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not carried out any temporary layoffs, furloughs, or material reductions in hours of work that, if continued for six (6) months, alone or in the aggregate with any other “employment loss” (as defined under any WARN Act) could reasonably be expected to constitute a “plant closing” or “mass layoff” under any WARN Act.

4.14 Taxes.

(a) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has filed with the appropriate Tax Authority, or has caused to be filed on its behalf (taking into account any valid extension of time within which to file), all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns were and are true, correct and complete in all material respects. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has paid all material amounts of Taxes due and payable (whether or not shown on any Tax Return).

(b) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has (i) withheld all Taxes required to have been withheld by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or any other third party, and (ii) remitted such amounts required to have been remitted to the appropriate Tax Authority, except where such failure would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability.

 

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(c) No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Tax Authority against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that remains unresolved or unpaid except for claims, assessments, deficiencies or proposed adjustments being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, except where such claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment would not reasonably expected to result in material liability. There is no material Tax audit or other examination of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries presently in progress, and there are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is or has been (i) a party to any Tax sharing, indemnification, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement (excluding any commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and not primarily related to Taxes), (ii) a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Tax group for income tax purposes (other than any such Tax group the common parent of which was the Company), or (iii) a party to any “listed transaction” under Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) (or any similar or corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Law).

(e) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liability for Taxes of any other Person (other than any such Tax group the common parent of which is the Company) as a result of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6, as a transferee or successor, by operation of Law, by Contract or otherwise.

(f) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code).

(g) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken any action, nor to the Knowledge of the Company are there any facts or circumstances, that would reasonably be expected to prevent (i) the Redomicile from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iii) the Name Change from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) or (iv) the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.

(h) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable transfer pricing Laws and regulations.

(i) Except as set forth in Schedule 4.14(h), neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has a permanent establishment (within the meaning of an applicable Tax treaty) in a country other than the country of its formation.

(j) The Company has not been a United States real property holding corporation within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the past 5 years.

 

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(k) There are no Liens with respect to Taxes on any of the assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens described in clause (iii) of the definition of such term.

(l) The Company has complied in all material respects with all escheat and unclaimed property Laws.

4.15 Intellectual Property.

(a) Schedule 4.15(a) contains a complete and accurate list of all (i) issued patents and pending patent applications, (ii) trademark and service mark registrations and applications, (iii) copyright registrations and (iv) internet domain names, in each case that are owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries or that the Company or its Subsidiaries purport to own (collectively, “Registered IP”), indicating for each item, as applicable, the registration or application number, the applicable filing jurisdiction and the date of filing or issuance and, with respect to domain names, the applicable domain name registrar. To the Knowledge of the Company, the Registered IP is subsisting and, excluding any Registered IP which is the subject of an application for registration or issuance, is valid and enforceable, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) To the Knowledge of the Company: (i) the operation of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as currently conducted does not infringe, misappropriate, dilute or otherwise violate, and since December 31, 2019, has not infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated, any third-party Intellectual Property and (ii) no third party is infringing, misappropriating, diluting or otherwise violating on the date of this Agreement, and no third party has infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated since December 31, 2019, any Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) As of the date hereof, there is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened (including “cease and desist” letters or invitations to take a license) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) challenging the ownership, validity, registrability, patentability, or enforceability of the Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries purport to own (excluding office actions and similar ex-parte proceedings in connection with the prosecution of applications for the registration or issuance of any Intellectual Property) or (ii) asserting that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has infringed, misappropriated, diluted or otherwise violated any third-party Intellectual Property since December 31, 2019, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) To the Knowledge of the Company, all former and current officers, directors, employees, personnel, consultants, advisors, agents, and independent contractors of the Company and its Subsidiaries, who have contributed to or participated in the conception and development of material Intellectual Property for the Company or its Subsidiaries have entered into valid and binding proprietary rights agreements vesting ownership of such Intellectual Property in the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.

 

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4.16 Data Protection.

(a) In the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) have been in compliance in all material respects with all Privacy Laws and the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ applicable contractual requirements relating to the Company’s and Subsidiaries’ Processing of Personal Information, and (ii) have not been subject to any regulatory audits or investigations by any Governmental Authority relating to Privacy Laws. The Company and its Subsidiaries have taken commercially reasonable steps to ensure that all Personal Information is protected in all material respects against loss or unauthorized Processing. To the Knowledge of the Company, in the three (3) years prior to the date of this Agreement, there has been no loss, theft or unauthorized access to or misuse of any Personal Information, in each case, that has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any written requests, complaints or objections to its collection or use of Personal Information from any data protection authority or third party (including data subjects) that remains unresolved. To the Knowledge of the Company, no individual has been awarded compensation from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Privacy Laws, and no written claim for such compensation is outstanding.

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries sells, rents or otherwise makes available to any Person any Personal Information, except in a manner that complies in all material respects with all applicable Privacy Laws. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transaction contemplated herein comply, and will comply, in all material respects, with all Privacy Laws and other contractual commitments related to the privacy and security of Personal Information to which the Company and any of its Subsidiaries are bound.

4.17 Information Technology.

(a) The IT Systems used in the conduct of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses: (i) operate and perform in material accordance with their documentation and functional specifications and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, are free from bugs and other defects, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries have implemented with respect to the IT Systems used in their business commercially reasonable backup, security and disaster recovery technology consistent with industry practices.

(c) To the Knowledge of the Company, since December 31, 2019, there has been no security breach or unauthorized access to the IT Systems used in the conduct of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ businesses, which resulted in the unauthorized use, misappropriation, modification, encryption, corruption, disclosure, or transfer of any information or data contained therein, in each case, that has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, material liability to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

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4.18 Real Property.

(a) None of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries owns in fee simple (or its local equivalent) any real property.

(b) Schedule 4.18(b) contains a complete and accurate list by property, city, state and country, of all land and real property leasehold or subleasehold estates and other rights to use or occupy any interest in land or real property held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement (the “Leased Company Properties”). The Leased Company Properties are the only real property used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in, or otherwise related to, the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business as of the date of this Agreement, and subject to any permitted action pursuant to Section 6.01, as of the Closing Date. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries has a legal, valid, and binding leasehold interest in, or a right to use or occupy, the Leased Company Properties, free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens). Except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(b), or as provided in the Lease Documents, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries have leased or otherwise granted to any Person the right to use or occupy any Leased Company Properties or any portion thereof.

(c) Schedule 4.18(c) contains a complete and accurate list and description of all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions, and other contracts, agreements and leasehold or land use arrangements and all related supplemental or ancillary documents pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries leases, licenses, subleases or otherwise occupies any Leased Company Property on the date hereof, except for any leases or licenses which arrange for a temporary occupancy arrangement of less than six months (collectively, the “Lease Documents”). The Company has delivered to Acquiror a true and complete copy of each such Lease Document. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party to any Lease Document is in material breach or material default under such Lease Document, nor has any event occurred which with notice or the passage of time or both would constitute a breach or default under any Lease Document.

(d) Each Lease Document is a written agreement in full force and effect, is valid, binding and enforceable, subject to proper authorization and execution of each Lease Document by the other parties thereto. The Company and its Subsidiaries has paid the rent and all other sums that are due and payable under such Lease Documents and there are no material arrears nor any sums which have been waived, deferred or accelerated, and no rent reviews are outstanding, in progress nor have been deferred. All consents, permits and approvals required to be obtained by the Company or its Subsidiaries for the grant of each Lease Document have been obtained and complied with by the Company or its Subsidiaries in all material respects.

(e) Schedule 4.18(e) contains a complete and accurate list and description of all leases, subleases, licenses, concessions, and other contracts, agreements and leasehold or land use arrangements and all related supplemental or ancillary documents pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have granted third parties the right to occupy parts of the Leased Company Properties (“Occupational Documents”). Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party to any Occupational Document is in material breach or material default under such Occupational Document, nor has any event occurred which with notice or the passage of time or both would constitute a breach or default under any Occupational Document. Except as would not be material to the Company or as would not impact the use or operation or detract from the value of the relevant Leased Company Property other than, in each case, to an immaterial extent, all consents, permits and approvals required for the grant of any Occupational Documents and the occupation by third parties of the Leased Company Properties have been obtained and complied with by the Company or its Subsidiaries, and to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party to such Occupational Documents, in all material respects.

 

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(f) To the Knowledge of the Company, except as set forth on Schedule 4.18(e), there exists no restrictions, covenants or encumbrances which prevent any of the Leased Company Properties from being used now or in the future for their current use in accordance with the applicable Lease Documents or require consent from a third party as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or would be material and adverse to the Company or its Subsidiaries. Where title to any Leased Company Properties is required to be registered, such title has been registered in the name of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(g) There are no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal to purchase any Leased Company Properties or any portion thereof or interest therein (which are binding on or in favor of the Company or a Subsidiary). Except as set forth in the applicable Lease Documents, there are no contracts relating to the right to receive any portion of the income or profits from the sale, operation or development of any Leased Company Properties or any portion thereof or interest therein. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any land or real property or interest therein, nor is in the process of negotiating any such agreement or option to purchase as at the date of this Agreement.

(h) As of the date hereof, each Leased Company Property and any structures built on them comply in all material respects with all applicable Laws, the current use of each Leased Company Property by the Company or its Subsidiaries complies in all material respects with all applicable Laws, and there are no material outstanding or threatened disputes, actions, claims, demands, adverse notices or complaints to which the Company or its Subsidiaries has received notice or is a party in respect of any of the Leased Company Properties.

(i) As of the date hereof, there are no pending, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, material appropriation, condemnation, eminent domain, compulsory purchase or like proceedings relating to the whole or any part of any Leased Company Properties.

(j) To the Knowledge of the Company, for the past three (3) years, no casualty event, major subsidence or major infestation has occurred with respect to the Leased Company Property that has not been fully remedied.

(k) Neither the Company nor any Subsidiaries have any ongoing liabilities (whether actual or contingent) in relation to previously owned, leased, licensed, used or occupied land or buildings.

(l) Each Leased Company Property benefits from all rights of access necessary for their current use and enjoyment without payment of material fees or charges to third parties.

 

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4.19 Corrupt Practices; Sanctions.

(a) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives have directly or indirectly paid, offered or promised to pay, or authorized or ratified the payment, directly or indirectly, of any monies or anything of value to any national, provincial, municipal or other Government Official or any political party or candidate for political office for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official or of any Governmental Authority to obtain or retain business, or direct business to any Person or to secure any other improper benefit or advantage in each case in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws. The Company (x) has instituted policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering Laws in each jurisdiction in which the Company operates and (y) has maintained such policies and procedures in force. To the Knowledge of the Company, no Government Official nor any of his or her immediate family members is an officer or director or owns any securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

(b) Neither the Company or its Subsidiaries nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, any of its Representatives, has, or is presently or has agreed to become, engaged in any conduct that violates any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is conducting and has not conducted, directly or indirectly, any business (including, without limitation, sales, reselling, licensing or sub-licensing arrangements, funding, making payments, procuring, insurance or otherwise providing assistance or support in connection with operations, business or any other activity) with or for the direct or indirect benefit of or on behalf of any Sanctioned Person, nor otherwise violated any applicable Sanction or Ex-Im Law.

(d) Neither the Company nor any of its directors, officers, employees, or to the Knowledge of the Company, any other Persons acting for or on behalf of any of the foregoing, is or has been, a Sanctioned Person.

(e) There is no current investigation, allegation, request for information, or any other inquiry by any Governmental Authority regarding the actual or possible violation of Sanctions by the Company, and over the past five years, and the Company has not received any notice that there is any investigation, allegation, request for information, or any other inquiry by any Governmental Authority regarding an actual or possible violation of sanctions.

4.20 Competition and Trade Regulation.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries have been and currently are in compliance with relevant Sanctions and Ex-Im Laws and regulations in jurisdictions in which the Company and its Subsidiaries do business or to which the Company and its Subsidiaries are otherwise subject, including the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations and United States sanctions Laws and regulations administered by the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Company also has policies and procedures in place designed to ensure compliance with the applicable Sanctions and Ex-Im Laws and are following such policies and procedures.

 

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(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Antitrust Laws in all material respects. Neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is not nor has been a party to or is or has been concerned in any agreement or arrangement with a Governmental Authority under any anti-trust, competition or similar legislation in any jurisdiction in which the Company or its Subsidiaries has assets or carries or intends to carry on business or where its activities may have an effect.

4.21 Environmental Matters.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries are and, over the past three (3) years have been, in compliance in all material respects with all Environmental Laws and, without limiting the foregoing, all Company Permits required under Environmental Laws in connection with the operation of the Company’s business or the Leased Company Properties, which Company Permits have been obtained by the Company and its Subsidiaries and are current and valid;

(b) there are no Actions pending, or to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened, against the Company nor its Subsidiaries, and neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries has received any written notification of, nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, is the Company or its Subsidiaries otherwise responsible for any material violation of or material liability under, Environmental Laws, including for the contamination by or manufacture, generation, storage, treatment, use, transportation, disposal, Release or threatened Release at any location of, or exposure of any Person to, any Hazardous Material, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, there are no facts or circumstances which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of such an Action;

(c) there have been no Releases of any Hazardous Material at, on, under, or from the current or former Leased Company Properties, or to the Knowledge of the Company, any third-party property in quantities that have triggered or could trigger the need for investigation, remediation, removal, cleanup or monitoring of Hazardous Material pursuant to Environmental Laws;

(d) no material Liens pursuant to Environmental Laws have been imposed on the Leased Company Properties, and to the Knowledge of the Company, no such Liens have been threatened;

(e) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into any Contract or other binding agreement pursuant to which it has retained or assumed any material liabilities or material obligations of any other Person arising under Environmental Laws; and

(f) the Company has furnished to Acquiror copies of all material environmental reports, assessments, audits, inspections and any communications or notices from or to any Governmental Authority concerning any material non-compliance of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with, or material liability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, Environmental Law or any Company Permits required under Environmental Law in its possession relating to the past or current operations or facilities of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

4.22 Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than those set out in Schedule 4.22, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an engagement letter entered into therewith, is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

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4.23 Affiliate Agreements. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.23, neither the Company nor its Subsidiaries is a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (a) present or former executive officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (c) Affiliate, “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing.

4.24 COVID-19. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries have participated in the federal Paycheck Protection Program or sought material benefits or relief thereunder.

4.25 No Other Representations or Warranties. The representations and warranties made by the Company in this ARTICLE IV are the exclusive representations and warranties made by the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this ARTICLE IV, neither the Company nor any other Person has made or makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, either written or oral, on behalf of the Company, to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding the Company available to the other parties or their respective Representatives and expressly disclaims any such other representations or warranties. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company, its Affiliate and each of their respective Representative has not made and does not make any express or implied representation or warranty, either written or oral, with respect to the Company. In particular, without limiting the foregoing, neither the Company nor any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty to the other parties hereto, and shall have no liability in respect of, (a) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to the Company or (b) any oral or, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in this ARTICLE IV, written information made available to the other parties hereto in the course of their evaluation of the Company and the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the Transactions.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

OF ACQUIROR AND MERGER SUB

Except as set forth in the Schedules to this Agreement (each of which qualifies (a) the correspondingly numbered representation, warranty or covenant if specified therein and (b) such other representations, warranties or covenants where its relevance as an exception to (or disclosure for purposes of) such other representation, warranty or covenant is reasonably apparent on its face) or in the Acquiror SEC Reports filed or furnished by Acquiror on or after February 10, 2021 (excluding (x) any disclosures in such Acquiror SEC Reports under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Forward-Looking Statements” or “Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and other disclosures that are predictive, cautionary or forward looking in nature and (y) any exhibits or other documents appended thereto) (it being acknowledged that nothing disclosed in such Acquiror SEC Reports will be deemed to modify or qualify the representations and warranties set forth (i) in Section 5.01, Section 5.02, Section 5.06, Section 5.07 and Section 5.13, or (ii) in the case of Acquiror and Merger Sub, in the disclosure letter delivered by Acquiror and Merger Sub to the Company), each of Acquiror and Merger Sub represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

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5.01 Organization, Standing and Corporate Power.

(a) Acquiror is an entity duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the CACI (and following the Redomicile, shall be an entity duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the DGCL), and has all requisite legal entity power and authority to carry on its business as now being conducted. Acquiror is duly qualified or licensed to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the nature of its business or the ownership, leasing or operation of its properties makes such qualification or licensing necessary, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of Acquiror to consummate the Transactions or be material and adverse to Acquiror.

(b) Merger Sub is an entity duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder. Other than the Merger Sub, Acquiror has no other Subsidiaries or any equity or other interests in any other Person.

5.02 Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention.

(a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has all requisite corporate or other legal entity power and authority, and has taken all corporate or other legal entity action necessary in order to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and, subject to satisfaction of the conditions to Closing contemplated hereby and the adoption of this Agreement by Acquiror as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, to consummate the Transactions. The execution, delivery and performance by Acquiror and Merger Sub of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party, and the consummation by it of the Transactions, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate or other consent and authorizations on the part of Acquiror and Merger Sub, and no other corporate or other actions on the part of Acquiror or Merger Sub are necessary to authorize the execution and delivery by Acquiror or Merger Sub of this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is a party and the consummation by it of the Transactions, in each case, subject to receipt of the Acquiror Shareholder Approvals and the adoption of this Agreement by Acquiror as sole stockholder of Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Acquiror and Merger Sub and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery hereof by the other parties, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and Merger Sub, enforceable against Acquiror and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms (subject to the Enforceability Exceptions).

 

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(b) The execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror and/or Merger Sub is a party, and the consummation of the Transactions, and (in the case of Acquiror) subject to receipt of the Acquiror Shareholder Approvals, do not, and will not, constitute or result in (i) a breach or violation of, or a default under, the Acquiror Organizational Documents or any organizational documents of Merger Sub or (ii) with or without notice, lapse of time or both, a breach or violation of, a termination (or right of termination) of or default under, the creation or acceleration of any obligations under or the creation of a Lien on any of the assets of Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates pursuant to, any Contract to which Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates is a party or, assuming (solely with respect to performance of this Agreement and consummation of the Transactions) compliance with the matters referred to in Section 5.02(a), under any Law to which Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates is subject, except (in the case of clause (ii) above) for such violations, breaches or defaults which has not had or would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

(c) The Acquiror Support Agreement executed and delivered contemporaneously with the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Acquiror and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by the other parties, is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, the other parties thereto, enforceable against Acquiror and the other parties thereto in accordance with its terms (subject to the Enforceability Exceptions).

5.03 Litigation.

(a) Neither Acquiror nor, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, any of its officers, in their capacities as such, is the subject of or engaged in any material Action before a Governmental Authority, arbitration or other dispute resolution process before a third party unrelated to the dispute, whether as claimant, defendant or otherwise, and no such litigation, arbitration or dispute resolution process is pending or threatened in writing on the date hereof, in each case, that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions. As of the date hereof, Acquiror is not, nor to the Knowledge of Acquiror is any of its officers, in their capacities as such, subject to any settlement agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral, or is in discussions for a settlement or arrangement, regarding any material disputes or material claims.

(b) As of the date of this Agreement, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is a party to or subject to the provisions of any outstanding judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award of any Governmental Authority (except if generally applicable without Acquiror or a Merger Sub being named therein) that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

5.04 Compliance with Laws. Acquiror and Merger Sub are, and since their respective dates of incorporation, have been, operating in all material respects in a manner that is customary for businesses similar to Acquiror and Merger Sub, and each of Acquiror and Merger Sub is conducting and, since their respective dates of incorporation, has conducted its business in material compliance with all Laws.

 

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5.05 Employee Benefit Plans. Except as may be contemplated by the Acquiror Equity Plan Proposal, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub maintains, contributes to or has any obligation or liability, or could reasonably be expected to have any obligation or liability, under, any Benefit Plan with respect to which Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates have any remaining obligations or liabilities and neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in combination with another event) will (i) result in any payment (including severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise) becoming due to any stockholder, director, officer or employee of Acquiror or Merger Sub, or (ii) result in the acceleration, vesting or creation of any rights of any stockholder, director, officer or employee of Acquiror or Merger Sub to payments or benefits or increases in any existing payments or benefits or any loan forgiveness.

5.06 Financial Ability; Trust Account.

(a) As of the date hereof, the Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated August 10, 2021, by and between Acquiror and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, acting as trustee (the “Trustee”) (the “Trust Agreement”), in connection with the trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Trust Account”), maintained by the Trustee, is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Acquiror and, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, the Trustee, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity. Except solely to the extent necessary in connection with the Extension Proxy Statement, the Extension Proposal, the Extension Meeting or the approval of the Extension Proposal, the Trust Agreement has not been terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended or supplemented or modified, in any respect, and, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, no such termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, there are no side letters and there are no agreements, Contracts, arrangements or understandings, whether written or oral, with the Trustee or any other Person that would (i) cause the description of the Trust Agreement in the Acquiror SEC Reports to be inaccurate or (ii) entitle any Person (other than any Acquiror Shareholder who is a Redeeming Shareholder) to any portion of the proceeds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account may be released except in accordance with the Trust Agreement, Acquiror Organizational Documents and Acquiror’s final prospectus dated August 10, 2021, as amended. Amounts in the Trust Account are invested in United States Government securities or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Acquiror has performed all material obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in material default, breach or delinquent in performance or any other respect (claimed or actual) in connection with, the Trust Agreement, and no event has occurred which, with due notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default or breach thereunder. There are no Actions pending or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, threatened with respect to the Trust Account. Since August 13, 2021, Acquiror has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account to pay the tax obligations of the Company as permitted by the Trust Agreement). As of the Effective Time, the obligations of Acquiror to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the Acquiror Organizational Documents shall terminate, and, as of the Effective Time, Acquiror shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to

 

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the Acquiror Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Acquiror by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. Following the Effective Time, no Acquiror Shareholder shall be entitled to receive any amount from the Trust Account except to the extent such Acquiror Shareholder is a Redeeming Shareholder and solely to the extent receipt of any such amount is for an Acquiror Share Redemption.

(b) As of the date hereof, Acquiror does not have, or have any present intention, agreement, arrangement or understanding to enter into or incur, any obligations with respect to or under any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000, excluding any Working Capital Loans.

5.07 Taxes.

(a) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has filed with the appropriate Tax Authority, or has caused to be filed on its behalf (taking into account any valid extension of time within which to file), all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it, and all such Tax Returns were and are true, correct and complete in all material respects. Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub has paid all material amounts of Taxes due and payable (whether or not shown on any Tax Return).

(b) Each of Acquiror and Merger Sub, as applicable, has (i) withheld all Taxes required to have been withheld by it in connection with amounts paid to any employee, independent contractor, creditor, stockholder or any other third party, and (ii) remitted such amounts required to have been remitted to the appropriate Tax Authority, except where such failure would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability.

(c) No claim, assessment, deficiency or proposed adjustment for any material amount of Tax has been asserted or assessed by any Tax Authority against Acquiror or Merger Sub that remains unresolved or unpaid except for claims, assessments, deficiencies or proposed adjustments being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. There is no material Tax audit or other examination of Acquiror or Merger Sub presently in progress, and there are no waivers, extensions or requests for any waivers or extensions of any statute of limitations currently in effect with respect to any material Taxes or Tax Returns of Acquiror or Merger Sub.

(d) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is or has been (i) a party to any Tax sharing, indemnification, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement (excluding any commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and not primarily related to Taxes), (ii) a member of an affiliated, consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Tax group for income tax purposes (other than any such Tax group the common parent of which was Acquiror), or (iii) a party to any “listed transaction” under Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) (or any similar or corresponding provision of state, local or foreign Law).

(e) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has any liability for Taxes of any other Person (other than any such Tax group the common parent of which is Acquiror) as a result of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1502-6, as a transferee or successor, by operation of Law, by Contract or otherwise.

(f) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has distributed stock of another Person, or had its stock distributed by another Person, in a transaction that was purported or intended to be governed in whole or in part by Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code).

 

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(g) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has taken any action, nor to the Knowledge of Acquiror are there any facts or circumstances, that would reasonably be expected to prevent (i) the Redomicile from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iii) the Name Change from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or (iv) the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.

(h) Acquiror and the Merger Sub are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable transfer pricing Laws and regulations.

(i) There are no Liens with respect to Taxes on any of the assets of Acquiror or Merger Sub, other than Permitted Liens described in clause (iii) of the definition of such term.

(j) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub has a permanent establishment in a country other than the country in which it is organized.

(k) Acquiror has complied in all material respects with all escheat and unclaimed property Laws.

5.08 Brokers. No broker, investment banker, financial advisor or other Person, other than those set out in Schedule 5.08, the fees and expenses of which will be paid by Acquiror or Merger Sub pursuant to an engagement letter entered into therewith, is entitled to any broker’s, finder’s, financial advisor’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Transactions based upon arrangements made by or on behalf of Acquiror, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates.

5.09 Acquiror SEC Reports; Financial Statements; Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(a) Acquiror has filed in a timely manner all required registration statements, reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since August 10, 2021 (collectively, as they have been amended since the time of their filing and including all exhibits thereto, the “Acquiror SEC Reports”). Except as set forth on Schedule 5.09(a) hereto, none of the Acquiror SEC Reports, as of their respective dates (or if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date, then on the date of such filing), contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.09(a) hereto, the audited financial statements and unaudited interim financial statements (including, in each case, the notes and schedules thereto) included in the Acquiror SEC Reports complied as to form in all material respects with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto, were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated therein or in the notes thereto and except with respect to unaudited statements as permitted by Form 10-Q of the SEC), and fairly present (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial statements included therein, to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of complete footnotes) in all material respects the financial position of Acquiror as of the respective dates thereof and the results of their operations and cash flows for the respective periods then ended.

 

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(b) Acquiror has established and maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that material information relating to Acquiror and other material information required to be disclosed by Acquiror in the reports and other documents that it files or furnishes under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that all such material information is accumulated and communicated to Acquiror’s principal executive officer and its principal financial officer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Such disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting Acquiror’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer to material information required to be included in Acquiror’s periodic reports required under the Exchange Act.

(c) Acquiror has established and maintained a system of internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Such internal controls are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of Acquiror’s financial reporting and the preparation of Acquiror’s financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.

(d) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by Acquiror to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of Acquiror. Acquiror has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(e) Neither Acquiror (including any employee thereof) nor Acquiror’s independent auditors has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror, (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves Acquiror’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by Acquiror or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.

(f) To the Knowledge of Acquiror, as of the date hereof, there are no outstanding SEC comments from the SEC with respect to the Acquiror SEC Reports. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, none of the Acquiror SEC Reports filed on or prior to the date hereof is subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof.

(g) Each director and executive officer of Acquiror has filed with the SEC on a timely basis all statements required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

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5.10 Business Activities; Absence of Changes.

(a) Since its incorporation, Acquiror has not conducted any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment of a Business Combination. Except as set forth in the Acquiror Organizational Documents, there is no agreement, commitment or Governmental Order binding upon Acquiror or to which Acquiror is a party which has had or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Acquiror or any acquisition of property by Acquiror or the conduct of business by Acquiror as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions.

(b) Acquiror does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity. Except for this Agreement and the Transactions, Acquiror has no interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or could reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a Business Combination.

(c) Except for (i) this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.03), (ii) as set forth on Schedule 5.10(c) and (iii) with respect to fees and expenses of Acquiror’s legal, financial and other advisors, Acquiror is not party to any Contract with any other Person that would require payments by Acquiror in excess of $100,000 in the aggregate with respect to any individual Contract or when taken together with all other Contracts (other than this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.03) and Contracts set forth on Schedule 5.10(c)).

(d) Except for any indebtedness incurred by Acquiror or a Merger Sub with the consent of the Company as a result of or in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, there is no liability, debt or obligation against Acquiror or Merger Sub, except for liabilities and obligations (i) reflected or reserved for on Acquiror’s consolidated balance sheet for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022 or disclosed in the notes thereto (other than any such liabilities not reflected, reserved or disclosed as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to Acquiror and the Merger Sub, taken as a whole), (ii) that have arisen since the date of Acquiror’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 in the ordinary course of the operation of business (including Working Capital Loans) of Acquiror and the Merger Sub (other than any such liabilities as are not and would not be, in the aggregate, material to Acquiror and the Merger Sub, taken as a whole) or (iii) disclosed in Schedule 5.10(d).

(e) Since their organization, the Merger Sub have not conducted any business activities other than activities directed toward the accomplishment of the Merger.

(f) Except as set forth in the Merger Sub’s organizational documents, there is no agreement, commitment, or Governmental Order binding upon Merger Sub or to which Merger Sub is a party which has had or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or impairing any business practice of Merger Sub or any acquisition of property by Merger Sub or the conduct of business by Merger Sub as currently conducted or as contemplated to be conducted as of the Closing other than such effects, individually or in the aggregate, which have not had and would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the ability of Merger Sub to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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(g) Merger Sub does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity.

(h) Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of effecting the Merger and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the Merger and has no, and at all times prior to the Effective Time except as contemplated by this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever other than those incident to its formation.

(i) (i) Since the date of Acquiror’s incorporation, there has not been any change, development, condition, occurrence, event or effect relating to Acquiror or Merger Sub that, individually or in the aggregate, resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiror or Merger Sub to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the Transactions and (ii) from February 10, 2021 through the date of this Agreement, Acquiror and Merger Sub have not taken any action that would require the consent of the Company pursuant to Section 7.03 if such action had been taken after the date hereof.

5.11 Registration Statement. As of the time the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act, the Registration Statement (together with any amendments or supplements thereto) will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that Acquiror makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to Acquiror by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement.

5.12 No Outside Reliance. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Article V or any other provision hereof, Acquiror and its Affiliates and any of its and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, members or representatives, acknowledge and agree that Acquiror has made its own investigation of the Company and that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, members, agents or representatives is making any representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, beyond those expressly given by the Company in Article IV or any certificate delivered in accordance with Section 9.02(b), including any implied warranty or representation as to condition, merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or trade as to any of the assets of the Company, and each of Acquiror and Merger Sub, on its own behalf and on behalf of their Affiliates and its and their directors, officers, employees, partnership, members or representatives, disclaim reliance on any representations and warranties, express or implied, other than those expressly given by the Company in Article IV or any certificate delivered in accordance with Section 9.02(b). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is understood that any cost or other estimates, financial or other projections or other predictions that may be contained or referred to in the Schedules or elsewhere, as well as any information, documents or other materials (including any such materials contained in any “data room” (whether or not accessed by Acquiror or its representatives) or reviewed by Acquiror pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement) or management presentations that have been or shall hereafter be provided to Acquiror or any of its Affiliates, agents or

 

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representatives are not and will not be deemed to be representations or warranties of the Company, and no representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the foregoing except as may be expressly set forth in Article IV of this Agreement or any certificate delivered in accordance with Section 9.02(b). Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, Acquiror understands and agrees that any assets, properties and business of the Company are furnished “as is”, “where is” and subject to and except as otherwise provided in the representations and warranties contained in Article IV or any certificate delivered in accordance with Section 9.02(b), with all faults and without any other representation or warranty of any nature whatsoever.

5.13 Capitalization.

(a) The authorized share capital of Acquiror consists of (i) 500,000,000 Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares, of which (A) 20,655,000 Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, (B) 218,333 Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of 218,333 outstanding Existing Acquiror Private Placement Warrants as of the date of this Agreement, (C) 6,666,667 Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of 6,666,667 outstanding Existing Acquiror Public Warrants as of the date of this Agreement, and (D) 6,666,667 Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares are reserved for issuance upon the conversion of Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares, (ii) 50,000,000 Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares, of which 6,666,667 Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding and (iii) 1,000,000 preference shares of Acquiror, par value $0.0001, none of which are issued and outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding Acquiror Ordinary Shares (w) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, (x) were offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law and the Acquiror Organizational Documents, (y) were not issued in breach or violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right, or any similar right under any applicable Law, Acquiror Organizational Document or Contract and (z) are fully vested and not otherwise subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Code Section 83.

(b) Subject to the terms of conditions of the Warrant Agreement, as of immediately after the Closing, each Acquiror Warrant will be exercisable, after giving effect to the Merger, for one share of common stock of Acquiror at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, beginning 30 days after the Closing. All outstanding Acquiror Warrants (i) have been duly authorized and validly issued and constitute valid and binding obligations of Acquiror, enforceable against Acquiror in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity, (ii) have been offered, sold and issued in compliance with applicable Law, including federal and state securities Laws, and all requirements set forth in (A) the Acquiror Organizational Documents and (B) any other applicable Contracts governing the issuance of such securities to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound and (iii) are not subject to, nor have they been issued in violation of, any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of any applicable Law, the Acquiror Organizational Documents or any Contract to which Acquiror is a party or otherwise bound.

 

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(c) Except for this Agreement, the Acquiror Warrants, the Acquiror Class B Ordinary Shares, Working Capital Loans and any Subscription Agreement, there are (i) no subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Acquiror Ordinary Shares or the equity interests of Acquiror, or any other Contracts to which Acquiror is a party or by which Acquiror is bound obligating Acquiror to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, other equity interests in or debt securities of, Acquiror, and (ii) no equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in Acquiror. Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Reports or the Acquiror Organizational Documents, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Acquiror to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities or equity interests of Acquiror. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Acquiror having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter for which Acquiror Shareholders may vote. Except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Reports, there are no registration rights, and Acquiror is not a party to any stockholders agreement, voting agreement or registration rights agreement, rights plan, anti-takeover plan or similar agreements relating to Acquiror Ordinary Shares or any other equity interests of Acquiror. Other than the Merger Sub, Acquiror does not own any capital stock or any other equity interests in any other Person or has any right, option, warrant, conversion right, stock appreciation right, redemption right, repurchase right, agreement, arrangement or commitment of any character under which a Person is or may become obligated to issue or sell, or give any right to subscribe for or acquire, or in any way dispose of, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, or any securities or obligations exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, of such Person.

(d) As of the date hereof, (i) the authorized share capital of Merger Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of which one share is issued and outstanding and beneficially held (and held of record) by Acquiror as of the date of this Agreement.

(e) Subject to approval of the Proposals, the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued by Acquiror in connection with the Transactions, upon issuance in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, (i) will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (ii) will have been issued in compliance with applicable Law and the Acquiror Organizational Documents, (iii) will not be subject to any preemptive rights of any other shareholder of Acquiror and (iv) will be capable of effectively vesting in the Company Stockholders title to all such securities, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens arising pursuant to applicable Securities Laws).

5.14 Nasdaq Stock Market Quotation. The issued and outstanding Acquiror Public Shares are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “VCXA”. Except for the Private Placement Units, the issued and outstanding units of Acquiror, each unit consisting of one Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share and one-third of one Acquiror Warrant, are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “VCXAU”. The issued and outstanding Acquiror Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “VCXAW”. Acquiror is in compliance in all material respects with the rules of Nasdaq and there is no action or proceeding pending or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, threatened against Acquiror by Nasdaq, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or

 

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the SEC with respect to any intention by such entity to deregister the Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares or Acquiror Warrants or terminate the listing of Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares or Acquiror Warrants on Nasdaq. None of Acquiror or its Affiliates has taken any action in an attempt to terminate the registration of the Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares or Acquiror Warrants under the Exchange Act. At the Closing, each then issued and outstanding unit of Acquiror, which consists of Acquiror Class A Ordinary Share and one-third of one Existing Acquiror Public Warrant, shall, to the extent not already split by the holder thereof, be separated and convert automatically into one share of Acquiror Common Stock and one-third of one Domesticated Acquiror Public Warrant.

5.15 Contracts; No Defaults.

(a) The Acquiror SEC Reports disclose every “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) (other than confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements and this Agreement) to which, as of the date of this Agreement, Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which any of their respective assets are bound (the “Acquiror Material Contracts”). True, correct and complete copies of the Acquiror Material Contracts have been delivered to or made available to the Company or its agents or representatives.

(b) Neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is, nor has it received written notice that any other party to any such Acquiror Material Contract is, in material violation or material breach of or material default (immediately or upon notice or lapse of time) under any such Acquiror Material Contract to which it is a party or any of its properties or other assets is subject. No such Acquiror Material Contract is the subject of a notice to terminate, except for any expiration of the term of such Contract following the date of this Agreement in accordance with its terms. Each Acquiror Material Contract is in full force and effect and, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions, is legal, valid and binding on Acquiror or a Merger Sub, as applicable, and, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, each other party thereto, except as would not be material and adverse to Acquiror and Merger Sub, taken as a whole. There is no default under any such Acquiror Material Contract by Acquiror or Merger Sub, or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, any other party thereto, and no event has occurred that with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both would constitute a default thereunder by Acquiror or Merger Sub, or, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, any other party thereto, in each case, except as would be material and adverse to Acquiror and Merger Sub, taken as a whole.

5.16 Title to Property. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.16, neither the Acquiror nor Merger Sub (a) owns or leases any real or personal property or (b) is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property, personal property or other material interest therein.

5.17 Investment Company Act. Neither the Acquiror nor Merger Sub is an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

5.18 Affiliate Agreements. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.18, neither of the Acquiror nor Merger Sub is a party to any transaction, agreement, arrangement or understanding with any (a) present or former executive officer or director of either of the Acquiror or Merger Sub, (b) beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of the capital stock or equity interests of Acquiror or (c) Affiliate, “associate” or member of the “immediate family” (as such terms are respectively defined in Rules 12b-2 and 16a-1 of the Exchange Act) of any of the foregoing (each of the foregoing, an “Acquiror Affiliate Agreement”).

 

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5.19 Corrupt Practices.

(a) Since their respective dates of incorporation, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub, nor any of their respective Representatives, have directly or indirectly paid, offered or promised to pay, or authorized or ratified the payment, directly or indirectly, of any monies or anything of value to any national, provincial, municipal or other Government Official or any political party or candidate for political office for the purpose of influencing any act or decision of such official or of any Governmental Authority to obtain or retain business, or direct business to any person or to secure any other improper benefit or advantage in each case in violation in any material respect any Anti-Corruption Laws. Acquiror (x) has instituted policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering Laws in each jurisdiction in which Acquiror operates and (y) has maintained such policies and procedures in force. To the Knowledge of Acquiror, no Government Official nor any of his or her immediate family members is an officer or director or owns any securities of Acquiror.

(b) Since their respective dates of incorporation, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub nor, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, any of their respective Representatives, has, or is presently or has agreed to become, engaged in any conduct that violates in any material respect any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws.

(c) Since their respective dates of incorporation, to the Knowledge of Acquiror, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub is conducting and has not conducted, directly or knowingly indirectly, any business (including, without limitation, sales, reselling, licensing or sub-licensing arrangements, funding, making payments, procuring, insurance or otherwise providing assistance or support in connection with operations, business or any other activity) with or for the benefit of or on behalf of any Sanctioned Person, nor otherwise violated any applicable Sanction or Ex-Im Law.

5.20 Takeover Statutes and Charter Provisions. The Acquiror Board has, and represents that it has, and the Acquiror has taken all action necessary so that the restrictions on a “business combination” (as such term is used in Section 203 of the DGCL) contained in Section 203 of the DGCL or any similar restrictions under any foreign Laws will be inapplicable to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Merger and the issuance of the Merger Consideration. As of the date of the Redomicile and through the Effective Time, no “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other anti-takeover statute or similar domestic or foreign Law applies with respect to Acquiror or Merger Sub in connection with this Agreement, the Merger, the issuance of the Merger Consideration or any of the other transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date of the Redomicile and through the Effective Time, there is no stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar anti-takeover agreement or plan in effect to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is subject, party or otherwise bound.

 

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5.21 No Other Representations or Warranties. The representations and warranties made by Acquiror and Merger Sub in this Article V are the exclusive representations and warranties made by Acquiror, Merger Sub, their Affiliates, and their respective Representatives. Except for the representations and warranties contained in this Article V, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub, nor any other Person, has made or makes any other express or implied representation or warranty, either written or oral, on behalf of Acquiror or Merger Sub, to the accuracy or completeness of any information regarding Acquiror or Merger Sub available to the other parties or their respective Representatives and expressly disclaims any such other representations or warranties. Without limiting the foregoing, neither Acquiror nor Merger Sub, nor any other Person, makes or has made any representation or warranty to the other parties hereto with respect to, and shall have no liability in respect of, (a) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, budget or prospect information relating to Acquiror or Merger Sub or (b) any oral or, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by Acquiror or a Merger Sub in this Article V, written information made available to the other parties hereto in the course of their evaluation of Acquiror and the Merger Sub and the negotiation of this Agreement or in the course of the Transactions.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

6.01 Conduct of Business. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms (the “Interim Period”), the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, except as set forth on Schedule 6.01, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), or as may be required by Law (including COVID-19 Measures), or as may be required by Law, (i) use its commercially reasonable efforts to conduct and operate its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice in all material respects, (ii) use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve intact the current business organization and ongoing businesses of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and maintain the existing relations and goodwill of the Company and its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers, distributors and creditors of the Company and its Subsidiaries and (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to keep available the services of its present officers; provided, that, in the case of each of the preceding clauses (i)-(iii), during any period of full or partial suspension of operations related to COVID-19, the Company may, in connection with COVID-19, take such actions in good faith as are reasonably necessary (A) to protect the health and safety of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ employees and other individuals having business dealings with the Company or its Subsidiaries’ or (B) to respond to third-party supply or service disruptions caused by COVID-19, including, but not limited to COVID-19 Measures, and any such actions taken (or not taken) as a result of, in response to, or otherwise related to COVID-19 shall be deemed to be taken in the “ordinary course of business” for all purposes of this Section 6.01 and not be considered a breach of this Section 6.01; provided, further, that following any such suspension, to the extent that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries took any actions pursuant to the immediately preceding proviso that caused deviations from its business being conducted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, to resume conducting its business in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice in all material respects as soon as reasonably practicable. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 6.01, as expressly contemplated by this Agreement or as consented to by Acquiror in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), as may be required by Law, the Company shall not, and the Company shall cause its Subsidiaries not to, during the Interim Period:

 

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(a) change or amend the certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(b) declare, make or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, equity or property, including any deemed distribution for Tax purposes) to stockholders of the Company or repurchase or redeem any Company Stock;

(c) other than (x) issuances or settlements of Company RSUs, (y) any Company Pre-Closing Financing, or (z) as disclosed in Schedule 4.04, create, allot, issue, redeem or repurchase or agree to create, allot, issue, redeem or repurchase any shares or other securities of whatsoever nature convertible into shares (or any option to subscribe for the same) of the Company, (excluding repurchases in connection with termination of employment pursuant to an existing repurchase right);

(d) enter into, or amend or modify any material term of, terminate, or waive or release any material rights, claim or benefits under any Material Contract (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would be a Material Contract), to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound, other than entry into, amendments of, modifications of, terminations of, or waivers or releases under, such Contracts either (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) involving an annual aggregate payment of less than $500,000;

(e) enter into, or amend or modify any material term of, terminate, or waive or release any material rights, claim or benefits under any Contract, Lease Document or any document governing the occupation of real property, or other arrangement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on one hand, and a Company Stockholder or its Affiliate, on the other hand, are parties or by which they are bound or which is for the benefit of a Company Stockholder or its Affiliates, other than issuances, settlements or exercises of Company Options or Company RSUs, as the case may be, and other than entry into, amendments of, modifications of, terminations of, or waivers or releases under, such Contracts or arrangements either (i) in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) involving an annual aggregate payment of less than $250,000;

(f) sell, transfer, lease, abandon, cancel, let lapse or convey, surrender or dispose of any assets, properties or business of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including Company Intellectual Property and Company Software), except for (i) dispositions of obsolete or worthless assets, or equipment that does not employ the most current available technologies or is otherwise not useful for the Company’s ongoing business activities, (ii) sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business and (iii) sales, abandonment, lapses of assets or items or materials (other than Owned Intellectual Property and Owned Company Software) in an amount not in excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate, other than (A) as set forth on Schedule 6.01(e), (B) where the Company has, in its reasonable business judgment, decided to cancel, abandon, allow to lapse or not renew any Registered IP, (C) Permitted Liens or (D) pledges, non-exclusive licenses and encumbrances on property and assets in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice (including performance and warranty bonds for the benefit of customers) and that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

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(g) except as otherwise required pursuant to applicable Law or the terms of a Company Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date hereof, or as disclosed in Schedule 4.08, (i) grant any material increase in compensation, benefits or severance to any current or former executive officer or director of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) except for immaterial changes to welfare benefit plans (other than severance arrangements) in connection with annual renewals in the ordinary course of business, adopt, enter into, amend, modify, or terminate any material Company Benefit Plan or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound, (iii) grant or provide any material severance or termination payments, deferred compensation, or transaction, retention or change in control payments or benefits to any current or former director, employee, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in connection with the promotion, hiring or firing (in each case, to the extent permitted by clause (iv)) of any employee in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or which is less than $250,000 in aggregate value, (iv) recognize or certify any labor union, works council, other labor organization or group of employees as the bargaining representative for any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (v) implement or announce any employee layoffs, plant closings, reductions-in-force, furloughs, temporary layoffs, reduction in terms and conditions of employment, or other actions that could implicate any WARN Act (excluding any COVID-19 Measures), or (vi) waive or release any noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, noninterference, nondisparagement or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former employee or independent contractor;

(h) (i) fail to maintain its existence or acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase a material portion of the assets or equity of, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof, other than such acquisitions and purchases that would not require financial statements of the acquired business to be included in the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 3-05 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; or (ii) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);

(i) make any capital expenditures (or commitment to make any capital expenditures) that in the aggregate exceed $5,000,000, other than any capital expenditure (or series of related capital expenditures) consistent in all material respects with the Company’s annual capital expenditure budget for periods following the date hereof, made available to Acquiror prior to the date hereof;

(j) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), or enter into any agreement in respect of the acquisition of real property, make any material change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person, except (i) advances to employees or officers of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) extended payment terms for customers in the ordinary course of business and (iii) those that do not exceed $50,000 in the aggregate;

 

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(k) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes, settle or compromise any examination, audit or other Action with a Governmental Authority of or relating to any material Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, incur any material liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business, or enter into any Tax sharing, indemnification, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement (excluding any commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and not primarily related to Taxes);

(l) waive, release, compromise, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened material claim (which shall include, but not be limited to, any pending or threatened Action) or compromise or settle any related liability, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice or where such waiver, release, compromise, settlement or satisfaction involves monetary damages not to exceed $2,500,000 in the aggregate;

(m) incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness, or in any material respect, modify any Indebtedness, other than (x) intercompany Indebtedness in the ordinary course of business and not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate and (y) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clauses (i), (j) or (k) of the definition thereof incurred in the ordinary course of business, of a nature and in amounts consistent with past practice, or (z) Company Pre-Closing Financing;

(n) enter into any material new line of business outside of the business currently conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date of this Agreement other than natural extensions of existing lines of business;

(o) make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by the SEC, by a change in GAAP (including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization), or by applicable Law;

(p) voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under, in a manner detrimental to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any insurance policy maintained with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries and their assets and properties; and

(q) enter into any agreement or undertaking to do any action prohibited under this Section 6.01.

6.02 Inspection. Subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to the Company or its Subsidiaries by third parties that may be in the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ possession from time to time, and except for any information which (a) relates to interactions with prospective buyers of the Company or the negotiation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby or (b) in the judgment of legal counsel (including in-house counsel) of the Company would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege or other privilege from disclosure or would conflict with any applicable Law or confidentiality obligations to which the Company is bound, the Company shall, and shall cause its

 

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Subsidiaries to, afford to Acquiror and its Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance written notice, in such manner as to not interfere with the normal operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries, to all of their respective properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax Returns, records, commitments, analyses and appropriate officers and employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries and that are in the possession of the Company or its Subsidiaries as such Representatives may reasonably request; provided, that such access shall not include any unreasonably invasive or intrusive investigations or other testing, sampling or analysis of any environmental media at any of the properties, facilities or equipment of the Company or its Subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by Acquiror and its Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

6.03 HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals. In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Company shall comply promptly but in no event later than thirty (30) Business Days after the date hereof with the notification and reporting requirements of the HSR Act. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to submit, as soon as practicable, any other required applications or filings pursuant to any Antitrust Laws and furnish to Acquiror as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing required to be made by Acquiror pursuant to any Antitrust Law. The Company shall (a) substantially comply with any Information or Document Requests and (b) request early termination of any waiting period under the HSR Act. The Company shall exercise its reasonable best efforts to (x) obtain termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and consents or approvals pursuant to any other applicable Antitrust Laws, (y) prevent the entry in any Action brought by a Regulatory Consent Authority or any other Person of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (z) if any such Governmental Order is issued in any such Action, cause such Governmental Order to be lifted. The Company shall promptly notify Acquiror of any substantive communication with any Governmental Authority or third party with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and furnish to Acquiror upon request copies of any notices or written communications received by the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the Company shall permit counsel to Acquiror an opportunity to review in advance, and the Company shall consider in good faith the views of such counsel in connection with, any proposed written communications by the Company or its Affiliates to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that the Company shall not extend any waiting period or comparable period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority to delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the written consent of Acquiror (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Company agrees to provide, to the extent permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority, Acquiror and its counsel the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between the Company or any of its Affiliates, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the

 

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other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Any materials exchanged in connection with this Section 6.03 may be redacted or withheld as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns of legal counsel (including in-house counsel) of the Company, and to remove competitively sensitive material; provided, that the Company may, as it deems advisable and necessary, designate any materials provided to Acquiror under this Section 6.03 as “outside counsel only.” Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 6.03 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate the Company or any of its Affiliates to, and Acquiror, Merger Sub and Affiliates shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, agree or otherwise be required to, take any action with respect to the Company or any of its Affiliates, including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect its freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of the Company or any of its Affiliates, or any interest therein. The Company shall bear all filing fees payable to the Regulatory Consent Authorities in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

6.04 No Claim Against the Trust Account. The Company acknowledges that Acquiror is a blank check company with the power and privileges to effect a Business Combination, and the Company has read Acquiror’s final prospectus, dated August 10, 2021 and other Acquiror SEC Reports, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, and the Trust Agreement and understands that Acquiror has established the Trust Account described therein for the benefit of Acquiror, Acquiror’s public shareholders and the underwriters of Acquiror’s initial public offering and that disbursements from the Trust Account are available only in the limited circumstances set forth therein. The Company further acknowledges and agrees that Acquiror’s sole assets consist of the cash proceeds of Acquiror’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities, and that substantially all of these proceeds have been deposited in the Trust Account for the benefit of Acquiror, its public shareholders and the underwriters of Acquiror’s initial public offering. The Company further acknowledges that, if the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or, in the event of termination of this Agreement, another Business Combination, are not consummated by such date as approved by the shareholders of Acquiror to complete a Business Combination, Acquiror will be obligated to return to its public shareholders the amounts being held in the Trust Account. For and in consideration of Acquiror entering into this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company hereby irrevocably waives any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (whether based on contract, tort, equity or otherwise) that it has or may have in the future in or to any monies or other assets in the Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account or any funds distributed therefrom as a result of, or in connection with, this Agreement or any negotiations, Contracts or agreements or transactions with Acquiror. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, (a) nothing herein shall limit or prohibit the Company’s right to pursue any claim against Acquiror for (i) legal relief against monies or other assets held outside the Trust Account or (ii) specific performance to consummate the Closing (including any claim for Acquiror to specifically perform its obligations under this Agreement to cause the disbursement of the balance of the cash remaining in the Trust Account (after giving effect to the Acquiror Share Redemption) at the Closing to the Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Trust Agreement), so long as such claim would not affect Acquiror’s ability to fulfill its obligation to effectuate the Acquiror Share Redemption or otherwise violate the Trust Agreement and (b) nothing herein shall limit or prohibit any claim that the Company may have following the Closing against Acquiror’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any such funds that have been released from the Trust Account and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds). This Section 6.04 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason.

 

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6.05 Proxy Solicitation; Other Actions.

(a) The Company shall be available to, and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to make its officers and employees available to, in each case, during normal business hours and upon reasonable advanced notice, Acquiror and its counsel in connection with (i) the drafting of the Registration Statement and (ii) responding in a timely manner to comments on the Registration Statement from the SEC. The Company agrees to provide Acquiror as promptly as practicable following the date hereof, (i) audited financial statements, including consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 and consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholder’s equity and cash flows, of the Company and its subsidiaries for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, in each case, prepared in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X and audited in accordance with the auditing standards of the PCAOB including a signed audit opinion, which signed audit opinion shall be delivered upon the initial filing of the Registration Statement with the SEC, (ii) unaudited financial statements, including consolidated condensed balance sheets and consolidated condensed statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholder’s equity and cash flows, of the Company and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter beginning with the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2022 and ending at least 45 days prior to the date on which the Registration Statement is effective, in each case, prepared in accordance with GAAP and Regulation S-X and (iii) auditor’s reports and consents to use such financial statements and reports in the Registration Statement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall reasonably cooperate with Acquiror in connection with Acquiror’s preparation for inclusion in the Registration Statement of pro forma financial statements that comply with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the rules and regulations of the SEC (as interpreted by the staff of the SEC) to the extent such pro forma financial statements are required by Form S-4.

(b) From and after the date on which the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act until the Closing Date, the Company will give Acquiror prompt written notice of any action taken or not taken by the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any development regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries, in any such case which is known by the Company, that would cause the Registration Statement to contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that, if any such action shall be taken or fail to be taken or such development shall otherwise occur, Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate fully to cause an amendment or supplement to be made promptly to the Registration Statement, such that the Registration Statement no longer contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, further, however, that no information received by Acquiror pursuant to this Section 6.05 shall operate as a waiver or otherwise affect any representation, warranty or agreement given or made by the party who disclosed such information, and no such information shall be deemed to change, supplement or amend the Schedules.

 

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6.06 Non-Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals.

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01, the Company shall not, and shall use cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective Representatives not to, directly or indirectly:

(i) initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or requests for information with respect to, or the making of, any inquiry regarding, or any proposal or offer that constitutes, or which is otherwise intended or is reasonably likely to result in or lead to, an Acquisition Proposal;

(ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide access to its properties, books and records or any confidential information or data to, any Person relating to any proposal, offer, inquiry or request for information that constitutes, or which is otherwise intended or is reasonably likely to result in or lead to, an Acquisition Proposal;

(iii) approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Acquisition Proposal;

(iv) execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, exchange agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement for or relating to any Acquisition Proposal; or

(v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing.

The Company also agrees that immediately following the execution of this Agreement it shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective Representatives to, cease any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective Representatives) conducted heretofore in connection with an Acquisition Proposal or any inquiry or request for information that could reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, an Acquisition Proposal. The Company also agrees that within three (3) Business Days of the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall request each Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective Representatives) that has prior to the date hereof executed a confidentiality agreement in connection with its consideration of acquiring the Company (and with whom the Company has had contact in twelve (12) months prior to the date of this Agreement regarding the acquisition of the Company) to return or destroy all confidential information furnished to such Person by or on behalf of it or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date hereof and terminate access to any physical or electronic data room maintained by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) notify, in writing, Acquiror of the receipt of any inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information received after the date hereof that constitutes, or could reasonably be expected to result in or lead to, any Acquisition Proposal, which notice shall include a summary of the material terms of, and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making, such inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information and an unredacted copy of any Acquisition Proposal or

 

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inquiry, proposal or offer made in writing or, if not in writing, a written description of the material terms and conditions of such inquiry, proposal or offer. The Company shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) keep Acquiror reasonably informed of any material developments with respect to any such inquiry, proposal, offer, request for information or Acquisition Proposal (including any material changes thereto and copies of any additional written materials received by the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may respond to any such proposal, offer or submission by indicating only that the Company is subject to an exclusivity agreement and is unable to provide any information related to the Company or entertain any proposals or offers or engage in any negotiations or discussions concerning an Acquisition Proposal for as long as that exclusivity agreement remains in effect. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions contained in this Section 6.06 by any of the Company’s or the Company’s Subsidiaries’ Representatives acting on the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ behalf, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 6.06 by the Company.

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings assigned below:

(i) “Acquisition Proposal” means any proposal or offer from any Person or “group” (as defined in the Exchange Act) (other than Acquiror, Merger Sub or their respective Affiliates) relating to, in a single transaction or series of related transactions, (A) any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase of a business that constitutes 35% or more of the net revenues, net income or assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (B) any direct or indirect acquisition of 35% or more of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (based on the fair market value thereof, as determined in good faith by the Company Board), (C) acquisition of beneficial ownership, or the right to acquire beneficial ownership, of 35% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company, any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any Person beneficially owning 35% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company, or any merger, reorganization, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or similar transaction involving the Company or (D) any issuance or sale or other disposition (including by way of merger, reorganization, division, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction) of 20% or more of the total voting power of the equity securities of the Company.

6.07 Company Lock-up. At the Closing, the Company shall procure that the Company Lock-up Parties shall enter into a Lock-Up Agreement with Acquiror in substantially the form attached as Exhibit F hereto (the “Company Lock-Up Agreement”).

6.08 Litigation. In the event that the Company is subject to any litigation or material Action or other dispute resolution process before a third party unrelated to the dispute, whether as claimant, defendant or otherwise, or such Action or dispute resolution process is pending or threatened in writing, in each case, that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company shall promptly notify the Acquiror of any such litigation or Action and keep the Acquiror reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof.

 

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6.09 Company Support Agreement. Within five (5) days of the date hereof, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror counterparts to Company Support Agreements duly executed by each Company Stockholder holding at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding shares of Company Stock as of the date hereof.

6.10 Financial Statements.

(a) Within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, the Company will deliver to Acquiror true, complete and correct copies of the audited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2020 and 2021, and the related audited consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended (collectively, the “Audited Financial Statements”), together with the accompanying independent auditors’ reports.

(b) Within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, the Company will deliver to Acquiror true, complete and correct copies of the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2021 and 2022 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the nine month periods then ended (the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and, together with the Audited Financial Statements, the “Financial Statements”).

(c) The Financial Statements, when delivered (i) will be derived from the books and records of the Company and its Subsidiaries, (ii) will be prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods indicated (except (x) as otherwise noted therein to the extent permitted by Regulation S-X of the SEC) and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and (y) in the case of Unaudited Financial Statements, subject to year-end adjustments and the absence of notes thereto, none of which would be material individually or in the aggregate, and (iii) will fairly present in all material respects the consolidated assets, liabilities, cash flow and financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the times and for the periods referred to therein. The Financial Statements, when delivered by the Company for inclusion in the Registration Statement for filing with the SEC following the date of this Agreement in accordance with Section 8.02, will comply in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements and with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Securities Act in effect as of such date.

6.11 Offtake Agreement. Within thirty (30) days of the date hereof, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror the Offtake Agreement duly executed by each of the parties thereto.

6.12 Insurance. The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to obtain insurance policies that cover such risks and are in such amounts as are customarily carried by companies conducting a business similar to the Company.

 

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ARTICLE VII

COVENANTS OF ACQUIROR

7.01 HSR Act and Regulatory Approvals.

(a) In connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Acquiror shall comply promptly but in no event later than thirty (30) Business Days after the date hereof with the notification and reporting requirements of the HSR Act. Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to submit, as soon as practicable, any other required applications or filings pursuant to any Antitrust Laws and furnish to the Company as promptly as reasonably practicable all information required for any application or other filing required to be made by the Company pursuant to any Antitrust Law. Acquiror shall substantially comply with any Information or Document Requests.

(b) Acquiror shall request early termination of any waiting period under the HSR Act and exercise its reasonable best efforts to (i) obtain termination or expiration of the waiting period under the HSR Act and consents or approvals pursuant to any other applicable Antitrust Laws, (ii) prevent the entry in any Action brought by a Regulatory Consent Authority or any other Person of any Governmental Order which would prohibit, make unlawful or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) if any such Governmental Order is issued in any such Action, cause such Governmental Order to be lifted.

(c) Acquiror shall cooperate in good faith with the Regulatory Consent Authorities and exercise its reasonable best efforts to undertake promptly any and all action required to complete lawfully the transactions contemplated by this Agreement as soon as practicable (but in any event prior to the Termination Date) and any and all action necessary or advisable to avoid, prevent, eliminate or remove any impediment under Antitrust Law or the actual or threatened commencement of any proceeding in any forum by or on behalf of any Regulatory Consent Authority or the issuance of any Governmental Order that would delay, enjoin, prevent, restrain or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the Merger; provided that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.01 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate Acquiror to take any actions, including selling, divesting, or otherwise disposing of, licensing, holding separate, or taking or committing to take any action that limits in any respect Acquiror’s or the Company’s freedom of action with respect to, or its ability to retain, any business, products, rights, services, licenses, assets or properties of Acquiror or the Company and its Subsidiaries; and further provided, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 7.01 or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate Acquiror or any other Person to take any actions with respect to Acquiror’s Affiliates, the Sponsor, their respective Affiliates and any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, Acquiror’s Affiliates, the Sponsor, or any portfolio company (as such this term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of Acquiror’s Affiliates, Sponsor or of any such investment fund or investment vehicle.

(d) Acquiror shall promptly notify the Company of any substantive communication with, and furnish to the Company upon request copies of any notices or written communications received by, Acquiror or any of its Affiliates and any third party or Governmental Authority with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and Acquiror shall permit counsel to the Company an opportunity to review in advance, and Acquiror shall consider in good faith the views of such counsel in connection with, any proposed communications by Acquiror or its Affiliates to any Governmental Authority concerning the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, that Acquiror shall not extend any waiting period or comparable period under the HSR Act or enter into any agreement with any Governmental Authority to delay

 

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the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement without the written consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Acquiror agrees to provide, to the extent permitted by the applicable Governmental Authority, the Company and its counsel the opportunity, on reasonable advance notice, to participate in any substantive meetings or discussions, either in person or by telephone, between Acquiror or any of its Affiliates, agents or advisors, on the one hand, and any Governmental Authority, on the other hand, concerning or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Any materials exchanged in connection with this Section 7.01 may be redacted or withheld as necessary to address reasonable privilege or confidentiality concerns of legal counsel of Acquiror, and to remove competitively sensitive material; provided, that Acquiror may, as it deems advisable and necessary, designate any materials provided to the Company under this Section 7.01 as “outside counsel only.”

7.02 Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) From and after the Effective Time, Acquiror and the Surviving Corporation agree that they shall indemnify and hold harmless each present and former director and officer of the Company and each of its Subsidiaries against any costs or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, losses, claims, damages or liabilities incurred in connection with any Action, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, arising out of or pertaining to matters existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time, whether asserted or claimed prior to, at or after the Effective Time, to the fullest extent that the Company or its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, would have been permitted under applicable Law and its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and indemnification agreements in effect on the date of this Agreement to indemnify such Person (including the advancing of expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law). Without limiting the foregoing, Acquiror shall, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to, (i) maintain for a period of not less than six (6) years from the Effective Time provisions in its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, and indemnification agreements, to the extent applicable, concerning the indemnification and exoneration (including provisions relating to expense advancement) of officers and directors that are no less favorable to those Persons than the provisions of its certificate of incorporation, bylaws, and indemnification agreements, to the extent applicable, as of the date of this Agreement and (ii) not amend, repeal or otherwise modify such provisions in any respect that would adversely affect the rights of those Persons thereunder, in each case, except as required by Law. Acquiror shall assume, and be liable for, and shall cause the Surviving Corporation and their respective Subsidiaries to honor, each of the covenants in this Section 7.02.

(b) For a period of six years from the Effective Time, Acquiror shall, or shall cause one or more of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering those Persons who are currently covered by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies (true, correct and complete copies of which have been heretofore made available to Acquiror or its agents or representatives); provided, however, that (i) Acquiror may cause coverage to be extended under the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance by obtaining a six-year “tail” policy containing terms not materially less favorable than the terms of such current insurance coverage with respect to claims existing or occurring at or prior to the Effective Time and (ii) if any claim is asserted or made within such six-year period, any insurance required to be maintained under this Section 7.02 shall be continued in respect of such claim until the final disposition thereof.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, this Section 7.02 shall survive the consummation of the Merger indefinitely and shall be binding, jointly and severally, on Acquiror and the Surviving Corporation and all successors and assigns of Acquiror and the Surviving Corporation. In the event that Acquiror, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then, and in each such case, Acquiror and the Surviving Corporation shall ensure that proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assigns of Acquiror or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, shall succeed to the obligations set forth in this Section 7.02. The obligations of Acquiror and the Surviving Corporation under this Section 7.02 shall not be terminated or modified in such a manner as to materially and adversely affect any present and former director and officer of the Company without the consent of the affected Person.

7.03 Conduct of Acquiror During the Interim Period.

(a) During the Interim Period, Acquiror and Merger Sub shall, subject to Section 7.11, carry on their business in the ordinary course of business and in accordance with applicable Law. During the Interim Period, except as set forth on Schedule 7.03 or as expressly contemplated by this Agreement (including as contemplated by any Subscription Agreement or any other Acquiror Pre-Closing Financing) or as consented to by the Company in writing (which consent shall not be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), or as may be required by Law, Acquiror shall not and each shall not permit Merger Sub to:

(i) change, modify or amend the Trust Agreement, the Acquiror Organizational Documents or the organizational documents of Merger Sub; provided however; notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict the Acquiror from carrying out the Extension, and no consent of any other party shall be required in connection therewith;

(ii) (A) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its outstanding capital stock or other equity interests; (B) split, combine, reclassify or otherwise change any of its capital stock or other equity interests; or (C) other than the redemption of any Acquiror Public Shares required by the Offer or as otherwise required by Acquiror’s Organizational Documents in order to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or the Extension, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Acquiror;

(iii) make, revoke or change any material Tax election, adopt or change any material Tax accounting method or period, file any amendment to a material Tax Return, enter into any agreement with a Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes, settle or compromise any examination, audit or other Action with a Governmental Authority of or relating to any material Taxes, consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any claim or assessment in respect of Taxes, incur any liability for Taxes outside the ordinary course of business, or enter into any Tax sharing, indemnification, allocation or similar agreement or arrangement (excluding any commercial contract entered into in the ordinary course of business and not primarily related to Taxes);

 

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(iv) other than as set forth on Schedule 7.03(a)(iv), enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any Acquiror Affiliate Agreement (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have constitute an Acquiror Affiliate Agreement);

(v) enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to Acquiror or Merger Sub (including the Company)), terminate (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms), or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, any Contract of a type required to be listed on Schedule 5.15(a) (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have been required to be listed on Schedule 5.15(a)) or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is a party or by which it is bound;

(vi) waive, release, compromise, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened claim (which shall include, but not be limited to, any pending or threatened Action relating to this Agreement or otherwise) or compromise or settle any material liability, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice;

(vii) incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any Indebtedness;

(viii) (A) offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, or authorize or propose to offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Acquiror or Merger Sub or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such capital stock or equity interests (other than in connection with the exercise of any Acquiror Warrants outstanding on the date hereof) or (B) amend, modify or waive any of the terms or rights set forth in, any Acquiror Warrant or the Warrant Agreement, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein;

(ix) (A) adopt or materially amend any Benefit Plan, or enter into any employment contract with any employee providing for an annual base salary in excess of $200,000 or any collective bargaining agreement other than the Acquiror Equity Incentive Plan or as otherwise contemplated by this Agreement, (B) hire any employee or any other individual to provide services to Acquiror or its Subsidiaries (other than the Company) following Closing or (C) enter into any agreement to pay compensation to any of its officers or directors;

(x) (A) fail to maintain its existence or acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase a material portion of the assets or equity of, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof; or (B) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of Acquiror or the Merger Sub (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);

 

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(xi) make any capital expenditures;

(xii) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person;

(xiii) enter into any new line of business outside of the business currently conducted by Acquiror and the Merger Sub as of the date of this Agreement;

(xiv) make any change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP (including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization) or applicable Law;

(xv) voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to Acquiror and Merger Sub and their assets and properties; or

(xvi) enter into any agreement or undertaking to do any action prohibited under this Section 7.03.

(b) During the Interim Period, Acquiror shall, and shall cause Merger Sub to comply with, and continue performing under, as applicable, the Acquiror Organizational Documents, the Trust Agreement and all other agreements or Contracts to which Acquiror or Merger Sub may be a party.

7.04 Trust Account. At the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article IX), Acquiror shall make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Trust Agreement in the following order of priority: (a) first, for the redemption of any Acquiror Public Shares in connection with the Offer; (b) second, after giving effect to the payment contemplated by clause (a), for the payment of any due and payable deferred underwriting commissions incurred by Acquiror in connection with its initial public offering; and (c) third, the balance of the assets in the Trust Account, if any, after payment of the amounts required under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), to be disbursed to Acquiror for payment of any remaining Outstanding Company Expenses and the Outstanding Acquiror Expenses in accordance with Section 3.06 and otherwise for the benefit of the Company.

7.05 Inspection. Subject to confidentiality obligations and similar restrictions that may be applicable to information furnished to Acquiror or the Merger Sub by third parties that may be in Acquiror’s or the Merger Sub’s possession from time to time, and except for any information which in the opinion of legal counsel (including in-house counsel) of Acquiror would result in the loss of attorney-client privilege or other privilege from disclosure or would conflict with any applicable Law or confidentiality obligations to which Acquiror or Merger Sub is bound, Acquiror shall afford to the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives reasonable access during the Interim Period, during normal business hours and with reasonable advance notice, to all of their respective properties, books, projections, plans, systems, Contracts, commitments, Tax

 

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Returns, records, commitments, analyses and appropriate officers and employees of Acquiror, and shall furnish such Representatives with all financial and operating data and other information concerning the affairs of Acquiror that are in the possession of Acquiror as such Representatives may reasonably request. The parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make alternative arrangements for such disclosure where the restrictions in the preceding sentence apply. All information obtained by the Company, its Affiliates and their respective Representatives under this Agreement shall be subject to the Confidentiality Agreement prior to the Effective Time.

7.06 Acquiror Nasdaq Listing.

(a) From the date hereof through the Closing, Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to ensure Acquiror remains listed as a public company on, and for Acquiror Class A Ordinary Shares and Existing Acquiror Public Warrants to be listed on, Nasdaq.

(b) Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued in connection with the Transactions, or otherwise reserved for issuance, and for the Domesticated Acquiror Public Warrants, to be approved for listing on Nasdaq as promptly as practicable following the issuance thereof, subject to official notice of issuance, on or prior to the Closing Date, including by submitting prior to the Closing an initial listing application (the “Listing Application”) with Nasdaq with respect to such Acquiror Common Stock and Domesticated Acquiror Public Warrants. Each of the Company and Acquiror shall promptly furnish all information concerning itself and its Affiliates as may be reasonably requested by the other such party and shall otherwise reasonably assist and cooperate with the other such party in connection with the preparation and filing of the Listing Application. Acquiror will use reasonable best efforts to (i) cause the Listing Application, when filed, to comply in all material respects with all requirements applicable thereto, (ii) respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to and resolve all comments received from Nasdaq or its staff concerning the Listing Application and (iii) have the Listing Application approved by Nasdaq, as promptly as practicable after such filing. Acquiror shall not submit the Listing Application or any supplement or amendment thereto, or respond to comments received from Nasdaq with respect thereto, without the Company’s prior consent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and without providing the Company a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon. Acquiror shall promptly notify the Company upon the receipt of any comments from Nasdaq, or any request from Nasdaq for amendments or supplements to the Listing Application and shall provide the Company with copies of all material correspondence between Acquiror or any of its Representatives, on the one hand, and Nasdaq, on the other hand, and all written comments with respect to the Listing Application received from Nasdaq, and advise the Company of any oral comments with respect to the Listing Application received from Nasdaq. Promptly after receiving notice thereof, Acquiror shall advise the Company of the time of the approval of the Listing Application and the approval for listing on the Nasdaq of the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. Acquiror shall bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of the Listing Application.

7.07 Acquiror Public Filings. From the date hereof through the Closing, Acquiror will keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable Securities Laws.

 

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7.08 Additional Insurance Matters. Prior to the Closing, Acquiror shall obtain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance that shall be effective as of Closing and will cover those Persons who will be the directors and officers of Acquiror and its Subsidiaries (including the directors and officers of the Company) at and after the Closing on terms customary for a typical directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy for a company whose equity is listed on Nasdaq which policy has a scope and amount of coverage that is reasonably appropriate for a company of similar characteristics (including the line of business and revenues) as Acquiror and its Subsidiaries (including the Company).

7.09 Section 16 Matters. Prior to the Closing, the board of directors of Acquiror, or an appropriate committee of “non-employee directors” (as defined in Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) thereof, shall adopt a resolution consistent with the interpretive guidance of the SEC so that the acquisition of Acquiror Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement and the other agreements contemplated hereby, by any person owning securities of the Company who is expected to become a director or officer (as defined under Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of Acquiror following the Closing shall be an exempt transaction for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act pursuant to Rule 16b-3 thereunder.

7.10 Director and Officer Appointments. Except as otherwise agreed in writing by the Company and Acquiror prior to the Closing, and conditioned upon the occurrence of the Closing, subject to any limitation imposed under applicable Laws and Nasdaq listing requirements, Acquiror shall take all actions necessary or appropriate to cause (a) the individuals designated in accordance with Section 2.05(b) to be elected as members of the Acquiror Board, effective as of the Closing and (b) the individuals designated in accordance with Section 2.05(c) to be the executive officers of Acquiror effective as of the Closing. On the Closing Date, Acquiror shall enter into customary indemnification agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Company with each of the post-Closing directors and officers of Acquiror, which indemnification agreements shall continue to be effective following the Closing.

7.11 Exclusivity.

(a) From the date of this Agreement until the Effective Time or, if earlier, the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01, Acquiror shall not, and shall use cause its Subsidiaries not to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective Representatives not to, directly or indirectly:

(i) initiate, solicit or knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate any inquiries or requests for information with respect to, or the making of, any inquiry regarding, or any proposal or offer that constitutes any Competing Proposal;

(ii) engage in, continue or otherwise participate in any negotiations or discussions concerning, or provide access to its properties, books and records or any confidential information or data to, any Person relating to any proposal, offer, inquiry or request for information that constitutes any Competing Proposal;

(iii) approve, endorse or recommend, or propose publicly to approve, endorse or recommend, any Competing Proposal;

 

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(iv) execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, confidentiality agreement, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, exchange agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, option agreement or other similar agreement for or relating to any Competing Proposal; or

(v) resolve or agree to do any of the foregoing.

(b) Acquiror also agrees that immediately following the execution of this Agreement it shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its reasonable best efforts to cause their respective Representatives to, cease any solicitations, discussions or negotiations with any Person (other than the parties hereto and their respective Representatives) conducted heretofore in connection with a Competing Proposal. Acquiror shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) notify, in writing, the Company of the receipt of any inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information received after the date hereof that constitutes any Competing Proposal, which notice shall include a summary of the material terms of, and the identity of the Person or group of Persons making, such inquiry, proposal, offer or request for information and an unredacted copy of any Competing Proposal or inquiry, proposal or offer made in writing or, if not in writing, a written description of the material terms and conditions of such inquiry, proposal or offer. Acquiror shall promptly (and in any event within one (1) Business Day) keep the Company informed of any material developments with respect to any such inquiry, proposal, offer, request for information or Competing Proposal (including any material changes thereto and copies of any additional written materials received by Acquiror or its Representatives). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Acquiror may respond to any such proposal, offer or submission by indicating only that Acquiror is subject to an exclusivity agreement and is unable to provide any information related to Acquiror or entertain any proposals or offers or engage in any negotiations or discussions concerning a Competing Proposal for as long as that exclusivity agreement remains in effect. Without limiting the foregoing, it is understood that any violation of the restrictions contained in this Section 7.11 by any of Acquiror’s Representatives acting on Acquiror’s behalf, shall be deemed to be a breach of this Section 7.11 by Acquiror.

(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Competing Proposal” means any Business Combination or any other transaction involving, directly or indirectly, any merger, share exchange, asset or equity acquisition or purchase, reorganization, consolidation or similar business combination with or involving the Acquiror with one or more businesses or entities or any inquiry or request for information that is intended to lead to, or result in, any such transaction or Business Combination.

7.12 Redomicile. Subject to the Supermajority Acquiror Shareholder Approval, Acquiror shall, at least one (1) day prior to the Effective Time, transfer by way of continuation and domesticate to the State of Delaware and become a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the DGCL and the CACI by filing a certificate of corporate domestication with respect to the Redomicile and a certificate of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and by making all filings with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies required under the CACI for the deregistration of the Acquiror in the Cayman Islands. Immediately following the Redomicile, the Sponsor Share Conversion will occur and as a result of the Sponsor Share Conversion, the Class B common stock of Acquiror shall convert into Acquiror Common Stock and Acquiror shall adopt as Acquiror’s certificate of incorporation the Acquiror Charter. Acquiror shall effect the Redomicile in such a way that the representations and warranties set forth in ARTICLE V remain true and correct.

 

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7.13 Management Incentive Package. Acquiror shall adopt the Acquiror Equity Incentive Plan, in the form agreed to by the Acquiror and the Company.

7.14 Stockholder Litigation. In the event that any litigation or material Action related to this Agreement, any Ancillary Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby is brought, or, to the knowledge of Acquiror, threatened in writing, against Acquiror or the Acquiror Board by any of Acquiror’s equityholders prior to the Closing, Acquiror shall promptly notify the Company of any such Action and keep the Company reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. Acquiror shall provide the Company the opportunity to participate in (subject to a customary joint defense agreement), but not control, the defense of any such Action, shall give due consideration to the Company’s advice with respect to such Action, including with respect to this Agreement.

7.15 Extension of Time to Consummate a Business Combination.

(a) Acquiror shall cooperate in good faith with the Company and provide the Company (and its counsel) with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any amendment or supplement to Extension Proxy Statement, and any responses to comments from the SEC or its staff or the provision of additional information in connection therewith, prior to filing or delivery of the same with or to the SEC. Acquiror shall consider the comments of the Company in good faith. Acquiror will promptly respond to any SEC comments on the Extension Proxy Statement and will use reasonable best efforts to cause the Extension Proxy Statement to be cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable. Acquiror will advise the Company promptly after: (A) in the event the Extension Proxy Statement is not reviewed by the SEC, the expiration of the waiting period in Rule 14a-6(a) under the Exchange Act; (B) in the event the Extension Proxy Statement is reviewed by the SEC, receipt of oral or written notification of the completion of the review by the SEC; (C) the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Extension Proxy Statement; (D) any request by the SEC for amendment of the Extension Proxy Statement; (E) any comments from the SEC relating to the Extension Proxy Statement and responses thereto (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such comments); (F) requests by the SEC for additional information (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such request); and (G) any other communication, whether written or oral, from the SEC (and shall provide the Company with a copy or, in the case of oral communications, summary of such communication).

(b) Acquiror shall promptly correct any information in the Extension Proxy Statement if and to the extent that such information is determined to have become false or misleading in any material respect or as otherwise required by applicable Law.

(c) As promptly as practicable after the Extension Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, Acquiror shall (i) distribute the Extension Proxy Statement to the Acquiror Shareholders, (ii) subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, solicit proxies from the Acquiror Shareholders to vote in favor of the related Extension Proposal, (iii) duly convene and hold the Extension Meeting and (iv) provide the Acquiror Shareholders with the opportunity to

 

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elect to redeem their Acquiror Public Shares into a pro rata portion of the Trust Account in connection with the extension as provided for in the Acquiror Organizational Documents. Acquiror agrees that if the approval of the Extension Proposal shall not have been obtained at any such Extension Meeting, then Acquiror shall continue until November 13, 2022 to take commercially reasonable actions and hold additional Extension Meetings in order to obtain the approval of the Extension Proposal. If approval has not been obtained by November 13, 2022, Acquiror may cease seeking approval of the Extension Proposal.

ARTICLE VIII

JOINT COVENANTS

8.01 Support of Transaction. Without limiting any covenant contained in Article VI or Article VII, including the obligations of the Company and Acquiror with respect to the notifications, filings, reaffirmations and applications described in Section 6.03 and Section 7.01, respectively, which obligations shall control to the extent of any conflict with the succeeding provisions of this Section 8.01, Acquiror and the Company shall each, and shall cause their respective Subsidiaries to: (a) use commercially reasonable efforts to assemble, prepare and file any information (and, as needed, to supplement such information) as may be reasonably necessary to obtain as promptly as practicable all governmental and regulatory consents required to be obtained in connection with the Transactions, (b) use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all material consents and approvals of third parties that any of Acquiror, the Company, or their respective Affiliates are required to obtain in order to consummate the Transactions, including any required approvals of parties to Material Contracts with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (c) take such other action as may reasonably be necessary or as another party may reasonably request to satisfy the conditions of Article IX or otherwise to comply with this Agreement and to consummate the Transactions as soon as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company be obligated to bear any expense or pay any fee or grant any concession in connection with obtaining any consents, authorizations or approvals pursuant to the terms of any Contract to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party or otherwise in connection with the consummation of the Transactions.

8.02 Preparation of Registration Statement; Extraordinary General Meeting; Solicitation of Company Stockholder Approvals.

(a) As promptly as practicable following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Acquiror and the Company shall jointly prepare, and Acquiror shall cause to be filed with the SEC, a mutually-acceptable registration statement on Form S-4 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, and including the Proxy Statement contained therein and any exhibits thereto, the “Registration Statement”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of the Acquiror Common Stock to be issued under this Agreement, which Registration Statement will also contain the Proxy Statement. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Registration Statement declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement effective as long as is necessary to consummate the Merger. Each of Acquiror and the Company shall furnish all information concerning itself and its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, and holders of equity securities as may reasonably be requested by the other

 

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party in connection with such actions and the preparation of the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement. Promptly after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, Acquiror will cause the Proxy Statement to be mailed to shareholders of Acquiror. To the extent the issuance of Acquiror Common Stock to the Company Stockholders in accordance with Section 3.01(c) and Section 3.03(a) cannot be registered on the Registration Statement (as mutually determined by Acquiror and the Company) (such portion of the Acquiror Common Stock, the “Excluded Shares”), the parties agree that (i) the Excluded Shares will be deemed to be issued to the Company Stockholders on a private placement basis and (ii) Acquiror (a) shall (x) include such Excluded Shares in any registration statement on Form S-1 that registers the resale of the Acquiror Common Stock or (y) prepare, with the assistance of the Company, and (A) cause to be filed with the SEC within 30 days of the consummation of the Merger a resale registration statement on Form S-1, pursuant to which the resale of the Excluded Shares will be registered in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and (B) use best efforts to ensure that such resale registration statement is declared effective by the SEC within 60 days of the filing thereof. Acquiror shall bear all filing fees and expenses incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement and the receipt of stock exchange approval in connection with the listing of Acquiror Common Stock to be issued as Merger Consideration on the Closing Date. Notwithstanding anything to the foregoing, however, for any matters relating to Taxes, Section 8.03 shall control in the event of any conflict.

(b) Each of Acquiror and the Company shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), any response to comments of the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendment to the Registration Statement filed in response thereto. If Acquiror or the Company becomes aware that any information contained in the Registration Statement shall have become false or misleading in any material respect or that the Registration Statement is required to be amended in order to comply with applicable Law, then (i) such party shall promptly inform the other party and (ii) Acquiror, on the one hand, and the Company, on the other hand, shall cooperate and mutually agree upon (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) an amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement. Acquiror and the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Registration Statement as so amended or supplemented, to be filed with the SEC and to be disseminated to the holders of Acquiror Ordinary Shares, as applicable, in each case pursuant to applicable Law and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Acquiror Organizational Documents. Each of the Company and Acquiror shall provide the other parties with copies of any written comments, and shall inform such other parties of any oral comments, that Acquiror receives from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Registration Statement promptly after the receipt of such comments and shall give the other parties a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any proposed written or oral responses to such comments prior to responding to the SEC or its staff.

(c) Acquiror agrees to include provisions in the Proxy Statement and to take reasonable action related thereto, with respect to (i) approval of the Transactions, including the Business Combination, and the adoption and approval of this Agreement (the “Transaction Proposal”), (ii) approval of the Acquiror Charter and the bylaws of the Acquiror (the “Amendment Proposal”) and each change to the Acquiror Charter that is required to be separately approved (“Advisory Amendment Proposal”), (iii) approval of the issuance of the Acquiror Common Stock as Merger Consideration and pursuant to any Subscription Agreement, and the issuance of

 

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Acquiror Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Acquiror Common Stock to be issued at the Closing in connection with any financing upon the mutual agreement of Acquiror and the Company, in accordance with the rules of Nasdaq (the “Nasdaq Proposal”), (iv) the approval and adoption of the Acquiror Equity Incentive Plan (the “Acquiror Equity Plan Proposal”), (v) adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies because there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing proposals, (vi) approval of the Redomicile (the “Redomicile Proposal”), (vii) approval of the Name Change (the “Name Change Proposal”), and (viii) approval of any other proposals reasonably agreed by Acquiror and the Company to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the Transactions contemplated hereby (the “Additional Proposal” and together with the Transaction Proposal, the Amendment Proposal, the Advisory Amendment Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Acquiror Equity Plan Proposal, the Redomicile Proposal and the Name Change Proposal, the “Proposals”). Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Proposals shall be the only matters (other than procedural matters) which Acquiror shall propose to be acted on by Acquiror Shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting.

(d) Acquiror shall use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable after the Registration Statement is declared effective under the Securities Act, (i) establish the record date (which record date shall be mutually agreed with the Company) for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Extraordinary General Meeting in accordance with the Articles of Association and the CACI, (ii) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Acquiror Shareholders in compliance with applicable Law and (iii) solicit proxies from the holders of Acquiror Ordinary Shares to vote in favor of each of the Proposals. Acquiror shall, through the Acquiror Board, recommend to its shareholders that they approve the Proposals (the “Acquiror Board Recommendation”) and shall include the Acquiror Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The Acquiror Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Acquiror Board Recommendation (an “Acquiror Change in Recommendation”); provided, that if, at any time prior to obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval, the Acquiror Board determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that in response to an Intervening Event, the failure to make an Acquiror Change in Recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law, the Acquiror Board may, prior to obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval, make an Acquiror Change in Recommendation; provided, however, that Acquiror shall not be entitled to make, or agree or resolve to make, an Acquiror Change in Recommendation unless (i) Acquiror delivers to the Company a written notice (an “Intervening Event Notice”) advising the Company that the Acquiror Board proposes to take such action and containing the material facts underlying the Acquiror Board’s determination that an Intervening Event has occurred, and (ii) at or after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth Business Day immediately following the day on which Acquiror delivered the Intervening Event Notice (such period from the time the Intervening Event Notice is provided until 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the fourth Business Day immediately following the day on which Acquiror delivered the Intervening Event Notice (it being understood that any material development with respect to an Intervening Event shall require a new notice but with an additional three Business Day (instead of four Business Day) period from the date of such notice, the “Intervening Event Notice Period”)), the Acquiror Board reaffirms in good faith (after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisor) that the failure to make an Acquiror Change in Recommendation would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law. If requested by the Company, Acquiror will, and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause its Representatives to, during the Intervening Event Notice Period, engage in good faith negotiations with the Company and its Representatives to make such adjustments in the terms and conditions of this Agreement so as to obviate the need for an Acquiror Change in Recommendation.

 

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(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.02(e), if on a date for which the Extraordinary General Meeting is scheduled, Acquiror has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of Acquiror Ordinary Shares to obtain the Required Acquiror Shareholder Approvals, as applicable, whether or not a quorum is present, Acquiror shall have the right to make one or more successive postponements or adjournments of the Extraordinary General Meeting; provided, that if a quorum is present, that the proposal for the adjournment of the Extraordinary General Meeting shall have been approved by a sufficient number of Acquiror Ordinary Shares; provided, further, that the Extraordinary General Meeting, without the prior written consent of the Company, (x) may not be adjourned to a date that is more than fifteen (15) Business Days after the date for which the Extraordinary General Meeting was originally scheduled or the most recently adjourned Extraordinary General Meeting (excluding any adjournments required by applicable Law) and (y) is held no later than four (4) Business Days prior to the Termination Date.

(f) As promptly as practicable after the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company shall solicit a consent in writing or by electronic transmission from the Company Stockholders entitled to vote approving and adopting this Agreement, the Merger and, to the extent required by Law, the Transactions (when executed by the Company Stockholders holding a majority in voting power of the outstanding Company Stock entitled to vote, voting together as a single class, (the “Company Stockholder Approvals”)). In connection therewith, the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as practicable, (i) establish the record date (which record date shall be mutually agreed with Acquiror) for determining the Company Stockholders entitled to provide such written consent and (ii) solicit written consents from such Company Stockholders to give the Company Stockholder Approvals. The Company shall, through the Company Board, recommend to the Company Stockholders entitled to vote that they adopt this Agreement (the “Company Board Recommendation”). The Company Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Company Board Recommendation (such action, a “Company Change in Recommendation”). The Company will promptly provide Acquiror with copies of all stockholder consents it receives. If the Company Stockholder Approvals are obtained, then promptly following the receipt of the required consents in writing or by electronic transmission, the Company will prepare and deliver to its stockholders who have not consented the notice required by Sections 228(e) and 262 of the DGCL. Unless this Agreement has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the Company’s obligation to solicit written consents from the Company Stockholders entitled to vote to give the Company Stockholder Approvals in accordance with this Section 8.02(f) shall not be limited or otherwise affected by the making, commencement, disclosure, announcement or submission of any Acquisition Proposal or by any Company Change in Recommendation.

 

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8.03 Tax Matters.

(a) Transfer Taxes. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, all transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration, value added or other similar Taxes incurred in connection with the Transactions (“Transfer Taxes”) shall be borne by Acquiror. The Company and Acquiror further agree to reasonably cooperate to reduce or eliminate the amount of any such Transfer Taxes.

(b) Tax Treatment. The parties intend that, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) the Redomicile qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iii) the Name Change qualifies as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, and (iv) the Merger qualifies as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations to which each of Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company are parties under Section 368(b) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations. This Agreement is intended to be, and is adopted as, a plan of reorganization for purposes of Sections 354, 361 and the 368 of the Code and within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g). Neither the Company nor Acquiror has any Knowledge, and none of the other parties knows, of any fact or circumstance (without conducting independent inquiry or diligence of the other relevant parties), or has knowingly taken or will take any action not contemplated by this Agreement, if such fact, circumstance or action would be reasonably expected to cause (A) the Redomicile to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (B) the Sponsor Share Conversion to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (C) the Name Change to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, or (D) the Merger to fail to qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations. The Redomicile, the Name Change and the Merger shall be reported by the parties for all applicable Tax purposes in accordance with the foregoing, unless otherwise required by a Tax Authority as a result of a “determination” within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code (or any similar or corresponding provision of applicable Law). The parties hereto shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, cooperate with each other and their respective counsel to document and support the Tax treatment of the Merger as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.

(c) From the date hereof until the Closing, none of Acquiror, Merger Sub or the Company shall take or cause to be taken, or knowingly fail to take or knowingly fail to cause to be taken any action, which action or failure to act prevents or impedes, or could reasonably be expected to prevent or impede, (i) the Redomicile from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (ii) the Sponsor Share Conversion from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(E) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations, (iii) the Name Change from qualifying as a “reorganization” pursuant to Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations or (iv) the Merger from qualifying as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.

(d) On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to Acquiror (x) a certification from the Company pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.1445-2(c)(3) and (y) a notice of such certification to the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.897-2(h)(2), in each case, in the form set forth on Exhibit H, dated as of the Closing Date and duly signed by a responsible corporate officer of the Company.

 

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(e) If the SEC requires that a Tax opinion be prepared and submitted with respect to the Tax treatment of the Redomicile, Sponsor Share Conversion, Name Change or the Merger, and if such a Tax opinion is being provided by a Tax counsel, each of the Company, Acquiror and their Affiliates agrees to deliver to such Tax counsel customary Tax representation letters reasonably satisfactory to such Tax counsel, dated and executed as of such date(s) as determined reasonably necessary by such Tax counsel in connection with the preparation of such Tax opinion; provided, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) if and to the extent a Tax opinion with respect to the treatment of the Redomicile, Sponsor Share Conversion or Name Change is being requested or required, the Acquiror shall use its reasonable best efforts to have counsel to the Acquiror (upon receipt of customary Tax representation letters satisfactory to such counsel) provide a Tax opinion on the application of Section 368 of the Code to the Redomicile, Sponsor Share Conversion or Name Change, as applicable, and (ii) if and to the extent a Tax opinion with respect to the treatment of the Merger is being requested or required, each of the Acquiror and the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to have counsel to the Acquiror and counsel to the Company, respectively (upon receipt of customary Tax representation letters satisfactory to each such counsel) provide a Tax opinion on the treatment of the Merger; provided, further, that (x) any Tax opinion on the treatment of the Merger shall be at a level not greater than a “more likely than not” and addressed, if provided by counsel to the Acquiror, to the Acquiror, and if provided by counsel to the Company, to the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, the covenants in this paragraph (e) shall apply regardless of the party to which any SEC inquiry or request is made.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement and for avoidance of doubt, none of the opinions with respect to any Tax matters relating to the Transactions discussed in Section 8.03(e) shall be a condition for the Closing.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything else in this Agreement, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, depending upon certain facts to be in existence at the time of the Closing, the Merger may qualify for a transaction governed by Section 351 of the Code. If the Merger so qualifies, the parties agree that it may be reported as such in accordance with applicable Law.

8.04 Confidentiality; Publicity.

(a) Acquiror acknowledges that the information being provided to it in connection with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby is subject to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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(b) The parties agree that the initial press release to be issued with respect to the Transactions shall be in the form previously agreed by the parties. None of Acquiror, Merger Sub, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates shall make any public announcement or issue any public communication regarding this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, or any matter related to the foregoing, without first obtaining the prior consent of the Company or Acquiror, as applicable (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), except if such announcement or other communication is required by applicable Law or legal process (including pursuant to the Securities Law or the rules of any national securities exchange), in which case Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate such announcement or communication with the other party, prior to announcement or issuance and allow the other party a reasonable opportunity to comment thereon (which shall be considered by Acquiror or the Company, as applicable, in good faith); provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) each party and its Affiliates may make announcements and may provide information regarding this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to their respective owners, their Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, managers, advisors, direct and indirect investors and prospective investors without the consent of any other party hereto and (ii) the Company may exercise its rights and communicate with third parties as contemplated by Section 6.06; and provided, further, that subject to Section 6.02 and this Section 8.04, the foregoing shall not prohibit any party hereto from communicating with third parties to the extent necessary for the purpose of seeking any third party consent.

8.05 Ratification of Covenants. Following the Closing, the Company and Acquiror shall cause Acquiror to ratify, confirm and approve in all respects the covenants in the Acquiror Support Agreement.

8.06 Post-Closing Cooperation; Further Assurances. Following the Closing, each party shall, on the request of any other party, execute such further documents, and perform such further acts, as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to give full effect to the allocation of rights, benefits, obligations and liabilities contemplated by this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

8.07 Financing Cooperation. From the date hereof until the earlier of (i) the Closing or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement, each of the Company, the Acquiror and the Merger Sub agree to use reasonable best efforts to cooperate with each other in connection with the arrangement of any Pre-Closing Financing, including by (A) reasonably cooperating with the Company’s or Acquiror’s, as applicable, preparation of definitive financing documentation and the schedules and exhibits thereto, in each case, customarily required to be delivered under such definitive financing documentation, (B) providing to the Company or Acquiror, as applicable, and its prospective sources of Pre-Closing Financing all reasonably necessary documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the PATRIOT Act and (C) cooperating in satisfying the conditions precedent set forth in the definitive Pre-Closing Financing documentation to the extent the satisfaction of such condition requires the cooperation of, or is within the control of, the Company, the Acquiror or Merger Sub, as applicable.

ARTICLE IX

CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS

9.01 Conditions to Obligations of All Parties. The obligations of the parties hereto to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, any one or more of which may be waived (if legally permitted) in writing by all of such parties:

 

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(a) Antitrust Law Approval. (i) All applicable waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under the HSR Act in respect of the Transactions shall have expired or been terminated, (ii) all waiting periods (and any extensions thereof) under any Antitrust Laws in the jurisdictions listed in Schedule 9.01(a) that are required to be terminated or expired prior to the Closing shall have terminated or expired, and all approvals, clearances or authorizations under any Antitrust Laws in the jurisdictions listed in Schedule 9.01(a) required to be obtained prior to the Closing shall have been obtained, and (iii) any agreement with any Governmental Authority not to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated (collectively, the “Regulatory Approvals”).

(b) No Prohibition. No Governmental Authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any Law, judgment, decree, executive order or award which is then in effect and has the effect of making the Transactions, including the Merger, illegal or otherwise prohibiting or enjoining consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger; provided that the Governmental Authority enacting, issuing, promulgating, enforcing or entering such Law, judgment, decree, executive order or award has jurisdiction over the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

(c) Offer Completion. The Offer shall have been completed in accordance with the terms hereof, Acquiror’s Organizational Documents, and the Proxy Statement.

(d) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement shall have become effective under the Securities Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the SEC and not withdrawn.

(e) Required Acquiror Shareholder Approvals. The Required Acquiror Shareholder Approvals shall have been obtained.

(f) Company Stockholder Approvals. The Company Stockholder Approvals shall have been obtained.

9.02 Additional Conditions to Obligations of Acquiror. The obligations of Acquiror to consummate, or cause to be consummated, the Merger are subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by Acquiror:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 4.01 (Organization, Standing and Corporate Power), Section 4.02(a) (Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention) and Section 4.22 (Brokers) shall each be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 4.04 (Capitalization), shall be true and correct in all respects other than de minimis inaccuracies as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such

 

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representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. All other representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “Material Adverse Effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except (i) to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date and (ii) where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct (whether as of the Closing Date or such earlier date), taken as a whole, does not result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of the Company to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects; provided that with respect to a covenant that specifies a time limit, such covenant shall be deemed to have been performed or complied with in all material respects, solely for the purposes of this Section 9.02, if such covenant is performed or complied with within the time limit specified in such covenant or within the Company Cure Period.

(c) Officers Certificate. The Company shall have delivered to Acquiror a certificate signed by an officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 9.02(a) and Section 9.02(b) have been fulfilled.

(d) Ancillary Agreements. The Company shall have delivered to Acquiror executed counterparts to all of the Ancillary Agreements to which the Company, or any Company Stockholder, is party.

(e) No Material Adverse Effect. Since the date of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred any Material Adverse Effect.

9.03 Additional Conditions to the Obligations of the Company. The obligation of the Company to consummate the Merger is subject to the satisfaction of the following additional conditions, any one or more of which may be waived in writing by the Company:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.01 (Organization, Standing and Corporate Power), Section 5.02(a) (Corporate Authority; Approval; Non-Contravention) and Section 5.08 (Brokers) shall each be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. The representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.10(i) (Business Activities; Absence of Changes) shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date as though made on the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. The representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in Section 5.13 (Capitalization), shall be true and correct in all respects other than de minimis inaccuracies as of the Closing Date as though

 

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made on the Closing Date, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date. All other representations and warranties of Acquiror and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct (without giving any effect to any limitation as to “materiality” or “material adverse effect” or any similar limitation set forth therein) as of the Closing Date, as though made on and as of the Closing Date, except (i) to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date and (ii) where the failure of such representations and warranties to be true and correct (whether as of the Closing Date or such earlier date), taken as a whole, does not result in a material adverse effect on Acquiror.

(b) Agreements and Covenants. Each of the covenants of Acquiror to be performed or complied with as of or prior to the Closing shall have been performed or complied with in all material respects.

(c) Officers Certificate. Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of Acquiror, dated the Closing Date, certifying that, to the knowledge and belief of such officer, the conditions specified in Section 9.03(a) and Section 9.03(b) have been fulfilled.

(d) Nasdaq. The Acquiror Common Stock and Acquiror Warrants shall have been approved for listing on Nasdaq, subject only to official notice of issuance thereof.

(e) Ancillary Agreements. Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company executed counterparts to all of the Ancillary Agreements to which Acquiror or Sponsor is party.

(f) Resignations. The directors and executive officers of Acquiror listed on Schedule 9.03(g) shall have been removed from their respective positions or tendered their irrevocable resignations, in each case effective as of the Effective Time.

(g) Indebtedness. Neither the Acquiror nor Merger Sub shall have any outstanding Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000, other than the Acquiror Warrants or Working Capital Loans.

(h) Redomicile. The Redomicile shall have been completed as provided in Section 7.12 and a time-stamped copy of the certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in relation thereto shall have been delivered to the Company.

(i) Acquiror Closing Cash. The Acquiror Closing Cash shall equal or exceed $10,000,000.

(j) Financing Certificate. Acquiror shall have delivered to the Company a certificate signed by an officer of Acquiror, dated the Closing Date, setting forth: (A) the aggregate number of Acquiror Public Shares that Redeeming Shareholders have duly elected to be subject to the Acquiror Share Redemption; (B) the number of Acquiror Public Shares that will be issued and outstanding after giving effect to the Acquiror Share Redemption; (C) the PIPE Investment Amount to be received by Acquiror at the closing of all PIPE Investments; and (D) Acquiror’s good faith calculation of Acquiror Closing Cash.

 

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ARTICLE X

TERMINATION/EFFECTIVENESS

10.01 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated, and the transactions contemplated hereby abandoned:

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

(b) prior to the Closing, by written notice to the Company from Acquiror if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of the Company set forth in this Agreement, such that any condition specified in Section 9.02(a) or Section 9.02(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating Company Breach”), except that, if any such Terminating Company Breach is curable by the Company through the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts, then, for a period of up to 30 days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date Acquiror provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by the Company of notice from Acquiror of such breach, but only as long as the Company continues to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such Terminating Company Breach (the “Company Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Company Breach is not cured within the Company Cure Period, (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before May 13, 2023 (the “Termination Date”); provided that the Termination Date may be extended at the discretion of the Acquiror up to August 13, 2023; provided that such date is prior to the deadline by which Acquiror must complete its Business Combination under the Acquiror Organizational Documents, (iii) the Extension Proposal is not duly approved on or before November 13, 2022, or (iv) the consummation of the Merger is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-appealable Governmental Order or other Law; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(b)(ii) or Section 10.01(b)(iii) shall not be available if Acquiror’s failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(b)(ii) or Section 10.01(b)(iii) shall not be available if Acquiror is in breach of this Agreement on such date, which breach could give rise to a right of the Company to terminate this Agreement;

(c) prior to the Closing, by written notice to Acquiror from the Company if (i) there is any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement on the part of Acquiror set forth in this Agreement, such that any condition specified in Section 9.03(a) or Section 9.03(b) would not be satisfied at the Closing (a “Terminating Acquiror Breach”), except that, if any such Terminating Acquiror Breach is curable by Acquiror through the exercise of its commercially reasonable efforts, then, for a period of up to 30 days (or any shorter period of the time that remains between the date the Company provides written notice of such violation or breach and the Termination Date) after receipt by Acquiror of notice from the Company of such breach, but only as long as Acquiror continues to use its commercially reasonable efforts to cure such Terminating Acquiror Breach (the “Acquiror Cure Period”), such termination shall not be effective, and such termination shall become effective only if the Terminating Acquiror Breach is not cured within the Acquiror Cure Period, (ii) the Closing has not occurred on or before the Termination Date, (iii) an Extension Proposal is not duly approved on or before November 13, 2022, or (iv) the consummation of the Merger is permanently enjoined or prohibited by the terms of a final, non-

 

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appealable Governmental Order or other Law or (v) there has been any Acquiror Change in Recommendation; provided, that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(c)(ii) or Section 10.01(c)(iii) shall not be available if the Company’s failure to fulfill any obligation under this Agreement has been the primary cause of, or primarily resulted in, the failure of the Closing to occur on or before such date; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement under Section 10.01(c)(ii) or Section 10.01(c)(iii) shall not be available if the Company is in breach of this Agreement on such date, which breach could give rise to a right of Acquiror to terminate this Agreement;

(d) by written notice from the Company to Acquiror prior to obtaining the Acquiror Shareholder Approval if the Acquiror Board shall have (i) made an Acquiror Change in Recommendation or (ii) failed to include the Acquiror Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement;

(e) by written notice from the Company to Acquiror if the Acquiror Shareholder Approval is not obtained at the Extraordinary General Meeting (subject to any adjournment or recess of the meeting in accordance with Section 8.02(e)); or

(f) by written notice from Acquiror to the Company if the Company Stockholder Approvals have not been obtained within ten (10) Business Days following the date that the Registration Statement is disseminated by the Company to the Company Stockholders pursuant to Section 8.02(f).

10.02 Effect of Termination.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 10.02, in the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.01, this Agreement shall forthwith become void and have no effect, without any liability on the part of any party hereto or its respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees or stockholders, other than liability of any party hereto for any Fraud or Willful Breach of this Agreement by such party occurring prior to such termination. The provisions of Sections 6.04, 8.04, 10.02 and Article XI (collectively, the “Surviving Provisions”) and the Confidentiality Agreement, and any other Section or Article of this Agreement referenced in the Surviving Provisions, to the extent required to survive in order to give appropriate effect to the Surviving Provisions, shall in each case survive any termination of this Agreement.

(b) In the event that this Agreement is (i) validly terminated by Acquiror pursuant to Section 10.01(b)(i) or Section 10.01(b)(ii) or by the Company pursuant to Section 10.01(c)(ii), then the Company shall pay the Termination Fee to Acquiror (or one or more of its designees), promptly after the time of termination, payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds; provided that in the case of a termination under either Section 10.01(b)(ii) or Section 10.01(c)(ii) the Company shall only be required to pay the Termination Fee if the Transactions were not consummated prior to the Termination Date primarily due to failure of the Company to provide information required to obtain SEC clearance of the Registration Statement.

(c) In the event that this Agreement is validly terminated by Company pursuant to Section 10.01(b)(i), then Acquiror shall pay the Termination Fee to the Company (or one or more of its designees), promptly after the time of termination, payable by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

 

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(d) The parties acknowledge and hereby agree that the Termination Fee, if, as and when required pursuant to this Section 10.02, shall not constitute a penalty but will be liquidated damages, in a reasonable amount that will compensate Acquiror or Company, as applicable, in the circumstances in which it is payable for the efforts and resources expended and opportunities foregone while negotiating this Agreement and in reliance on this Agreement and on the expectation of the consummation of the Merger, which amount would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision. The parties acknowledge and hereby agree that in no event shall the Company be required to pay the Termination Fee on more than one occasion. Each of the Company, Acquiror and Merger Sub acknowledges that the agreements contained in this Section 10.02 are an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and that, without these agreements, the parties would not enter into this Agreement.

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.01 Waiver. Any party to this Agreement may, at any time prior to the Closing, by action taken by its board of directors, or officers thereunto duly authorized, waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, or agree to an amendment or modification to this Agreement in the manner contemplated by Section 11.10 and by an agreement in writing executed in the same manner (but not necessarily by the same Persons) as this Agreement.

11.02 Notices. All notices and other communications among the parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when delivered in person, (ii) when delivered after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (iii) when delivered by FedEx or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service or (iv) when e-mailed during normal business hours (and otherwise as of the immediately following Business Day), addressed as follows:

 

  (a)

If to Acquiror or Merger Sub, to:

10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II

1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor

New York, New York 10007

Attn:         Hans Thomas

E-mail:     hans@10xcapital.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Latham & Watkins (London) LLP

99 Bishopsgate

London, EC2M 3XF

United Kingdom

Attn:         J. David Stewart

        Ryan Maierson

E-mail:     david.stewart@lw.com

         ryan.maierson@lw.com

 

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  (b)

If to the Company to:

African Agriculture Inc.

415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attn:             Alan Kessler

            Harry Green

E-mail:         ak@africanagriculture.com

            hg@africanagriculture.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn:             Zachary Jacobs

            Jack Levy

E-mail:         zjacobs@morrisoncohen.com

            jlevy@morrisoncohen.com

or to such other address or addresses as the parties may from time to time designate in writing.

11.03 Assignment. No party hereto shall assign this Agreement or any part hereof without the prior written consent of the other parties. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Any attempted assignment in violation of the terms of this Section 11.03 shall be null and void, ab initio.

11.04 Rights of Third Parties. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give any Person, other than the parties hereto, any right or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing (a) in the event the Closing occurs, the present and former officers and directors of the Company and Acquiror (and their successors and representatives) are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Section 7.02 and Section 7.10 and (b) the past, present and future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, members, partners, stockholders, Affiliates, agents, attorneys, advisors and representatives of the parties, and any Affiliate of any of the foregoing (and their successors, heirs and representatives), are intended third-party beneficiaries of, and may enforce, Sections 11.14 and 11.15.

11.05 Expenses. Except as otherwise provided herein (including Section 3.06 and Section 8.03(a)), each party hereto shall bear its own expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions herein contemplated whether or not such transactions shall be consummated, including all fees of its legal counsel, financial advisers and accountants. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Closing occurs, Acquiror shall pay or cause to be paid, the Outstanding Company Expenses and the Outstanding Acquiror Expenses in accordance with Section 3.06 upon consummation of the Merger and release of proceeds from the Trust Account.

 

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11.06 Governing Law. This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the Laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction; provided that, the Redomicile shall be effected in accordance with both the DGCL and the CACI (as applicable), without giving effect to principles or rules of conflict of laws to the extent such principles or rules would require or permit the application of Laws of another jurisdiction.

11.07 Captions; Counterparts. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in two (2) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement or the other Ancillary Agreements shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile or other electronic format (including, “pdf”, “tif” or “jpg”) and other electronic signatures (including, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Delaware Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and any other applicable law. Minor variations in the form of the signature page, including footers from earlier versions of this Agreement or any such other document, shall be disregarded in determining the party’s intent or the effectiveness of such signature.

11.08 Schedules and Exhibits. The Schedules and Exhibits referenced herein are a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. All references herein to Schedules and Exhibits shall be deemed references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise require. Any disclosure made by a party in the Schedules with reference to any section or schedule of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a disclosure with respect to all other sections or schedules to which such disclosure may apply solely to the extent the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure in such Schedule. Certain information set forth in the Schedules is included solely for informational purposes.

11.09 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (together with the Schedules and Exhibits to this Agreement), the Ancillary Agreements and the Confidentiality Agreement constitute the entire agreement among the parties relating to the transactions contemplated hereby and supersede any other agreements, whether written or oral, that may have been made or entered into by or among any of the parties hereto or any of their respective Subsidiaries relating to the transactions contemplated hereby. No representations, warranties, covenants, understandings, agreements, oral or otherwise, relating to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement exist between the parties except as expressly set forth or referenced in this Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

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11.10 Amendments. This Agreement may be amended or modified in whole or in part, only by a duly authorized agreement in writing executed in the same manner as this Agreement (but not necessarily by the same natural persons who executed this Agreement) and which makes reference to this Agreement. The approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of any of the parties shall not restrict the ability of the board of directors of any of the parties to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01 or to cause such party to enter into an amendment to this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.10.

11.11 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The parties further agree that if any provision contained herein is, to any extent, held invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the Laws governing this Agreement, they shall take any actions necessary to render the remaining provisions of this Agreement valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by Law and shall amend or otherwise modify this Agreement to replace any provision contained herein that is held invalid or unenforceable with a valid and enforceable provision giving effect to the intent of the parties.

11.12 Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. Any Action based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement, or the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court lacks jurisdiction, the state or federal courts in the State of Delaware, and each of the parties irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of each such court in any such Action, waives any objection it may now or hereafter have to personal jurisdiction, venue or to convenience of forum, agrees that all claims in respect of the Action shall be heard and determined only in any such court, and agrees not to bring any Action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby in any other court; provided that the courts of the Cayman Islands shall have jurisdiction over the Redomicile to the extent required by the CACI. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to affect the right of any party to serve process in any manner permitted by Law, or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against any other party in any other jurisdiction, in each case, to enforce judgments obtained in any Action brought pursuant to this Section 11.12. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (A) NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (B) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (C) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY, AND (D) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS IN THIS SECTION 11.12.

 

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11.13 Enforcement. The parties agree that irreparable damage for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy, would occur in the event that the parties do not perform their obligations under the provisions of this Agreement (including failing to take such actions as are required of them hereunder to consummate this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions. The parties acknowledge and agree that (a) the parties shall be entitled to an injunction, specific performance, or other equitable relief, to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, without proof of damages, prior to the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled under this Agreement and (b) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and without that right, none of the parties would have entered into this Agreement. Each party agrees that it will not oppose the granting of specific performance and other equitable relief on the basis that the other parties have an adequate remedy at Law or that an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at Law or equity. The parties acknowledge and agree that any party seeking an injunction to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in accordance with this Section 11.13 shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with any such injunction.

11.14 Non-Recourse. This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby may only be brought against, the entities that are expressly named as parties hereto, and then only with respect to the specific obligations set forth herein with respect to such party. Except to the extent a named party to this Agreement (and then only to the extent of the specific obligations undertaken by such named party in this Agreement), (a) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any named party to this Agreement and (b) no past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner, stockholder, Affiliate, agent, attorney, advisor or representative or Affiliate of any of the foregoing shall have any liability (whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) for any one or more of the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements or other obligations or liabilities of any one or more of the Company, Acquiror, or Merger Sub under this Agreement of or for any claim based on, arising out of, or related to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

11.15 Non-survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Effective Time (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring after the Closing and (b) this Article XI.

 

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11.16 Acknowledgements. Each of the parties acknowledges and agrees (on its own behalf and on behalf of its respective Affiliates and its and their respective Representatives) that: (i) it has conducted its own independent investigation of the financial condition, results of operations, assets, liabilities, properties and projected operations of the other parties (and their respective Subsidiaries) and has been afforded satisfactory access to the books and records, facilities and personnel of the other parties (and their respective Subsidiaries) for purposes of conducting such investigation; (ii) the Company Representations constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; (iii) the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations constitute the sole and exclusive representations and warranties of Acquiror and the Merger Sub; (iv) except for the Company Representations by the Company and the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations by Acquiror and the Merger Sub, respectively, none of the parties hereto or any other Person makes, or has made, any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to any party hereto (or any party’s Affiliates) or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other representations and warranties of any kind or nature expressed or implied (including (x) regarding the completeness or accuracy of, or any omission to state or to disclose, any information, including in the estimates, projections or forecasts or any other information, document or material provided to or made available to any party hereto or their respective Affiliates or Representatives in certain “data rooms,” management presentations or in any other form in expectation of the Transactions, including meetings, calls or correspondence with management of any party hereto (or any party’s Subsidiaries), and (y) any relating to the future or historical business, condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, prospects, assets or liabilities of any party hereto (or its Subsidiaries), or the quality, quantity or condition of any party’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets) are specifically disclaimed by all parties hereto and their respective Subsidiaries and all other Persons (including the Representatives and Affiliates of any party hereto or its Subsidiaries); and (v) each party hereto and its respective Affiliates are not relying on any representations and warranties in connection with the Transactions except the Company Representations by the Company, the Acquiror and Merger Sub Representations by Acquiror and Merger Sub and the other representations expressly made by a Person in the Support Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Acquiror, Merger Sub and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the date first written above by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

 

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

  Name: Hans Thomas
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
10X AA MERGER SUB, INC.
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

  Name: Hans Thomas
  Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
AFRICAN AGRICULTURE INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Kessler

  Name: Alan Kessler
  Title:   Chairman and CEO


Exhibit A

FORM OF COMPANY SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This COMPANY SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of [  ], 2022, by and among 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X”), [  ], a [  ] (the “Stockholder”)1, and, solely with respect to Section 1(a) hereto, African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”). Each of 10X, the Stockholder and African Agriculture is sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement (defined below).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, on [  ], 2022, 10X, African Agriculture and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”), in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of which, among other things, Merger Sub will merge with and into African Agriculture (the “Merger”), with African Agriculture surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned Subsidiary of 10X;

WHEREAS, in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, by virtue of the Merger each share of Company Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be converted into the right to receive Acquiror Common Stock, as provided more particularly in the Merger Agreement;

WHEREAS, the Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the number and type of equity securities of African Agriculture set forth on Schedule A hereto (together with any other equity securities of African Agriculture of which the Stockholder acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, collectively, the “Subject Company Stock”);

WHEREAS, in consideration for the benefits to be received by the Stockholder under the terms of the Merger Agreement and as a material inducement to 10X agreeing to enter into, and consummate the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement, the Stockholder agrees to enter into this Agreement and to be bound by the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Parties acknowledge and agree that 10X and Merger Sub would not have entered into, and agreed to consummate the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement without the Stockholder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

1 

To be executed by each AA stockholder receiving more than 1% of Pubco shares.


AGREEMENT

1. Company Stockholder Consent and Related Matters.

(a) Subject to the earlier termination of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, (i) as promptly as reasonably practicable (and in any event within five (5) Business Days) following the time at which (x) the Registration Statement becomes effective under the Securities Act and (y) African Agriculture solicits the Company Stockholder Approvals, the Stockholder shall duly execute and deliver to African Agriculture such Company Stockholder Approvals under which it shall irrevocably and unconditionally consent to the matters, actions and proposals contemplated by Section 8.02(f) of the Merger Agreement (the “Approval”), including the Merger and, to the extent required by Law, any other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement to occur at or immediately prior to the Closing (collectively, the “Transactions”) and (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, prior to the Closing, the Stockholder shall, at any meeting of the Company Stockholders (and at any adjournment or postponement thereof), however called, and in any actions by written consent of the Company Stockholders, vote (or cause to be voted) the Subject Company Stock against (x) any Acquisition Proposal or (y) any other matter, action or proposal that would reasonably be expected to result in (A) a breach of any of African Agriculture’s covenants, agreements or obligations under the Merger Agreement or (B) any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 of the Merger Agreement not being satisfied; provided that in the case or either (i) or (ii), the Merger Agreement shall not have been amended or modified without the Stockholder’s consent (1) to decrease the consideration payable under the Merger Agreement, or (2) to change the form of merger consideration in a manner adverse to the Stockholder.

2. Other Covenants and Agreements.

(a) The Stockholder hereby agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any such agreement, (i) each of the agreements set forth on Schedule B hereto shall be automatically terminated and of no further force and effect (including any provisions of any such agreement that, by its terms, survive such termination) effective as of, and subject to and conditioned upon the occurrence of, the Closing and (ii) upon such termination neither African Agriculture nor any of its Affiliates (including from and after the Effective Time, 10X and its Affiliates) shall have any further obligations or liabilities under each such agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Stockholder hereby agrees to promptly execute and deliver all additional agreements, documents and instruments and take, or cause to be taken, all actions necessary or reasonably advisable in order to achieve the purpose of the preceding sentence.

(b) The Stockholder shall be bound by and subject to (i) Section 8.04 (Confidentiality; Publicity) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to the parties to the Merger Agreement, and (ii) Section 6.04 (No Claim Against the Trust Account), Section 6.06 (Non-Solicitation; Acquisition Proposals) and Section 8.01(c) (Support of Transaction) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to African Agriculture, in each case, mutatis mutandis, as if the Stockholder is directly party thereto. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (x) the Stockholder shall not be responsible for the actions of African Agriculture or the African Agriculture Board (or any committee thereof) or any officers, directors (in their capacity as such), employees and professional advisors of any of the foregoing (the “Company Related Parties”), including with respect to any of the matters contemplated by this Section 2(b), (y) the Stockholder is not making any representations or warranties with respect to the actions of any of the African Agriculture Related Parties, and (z) any breach by African Agriculture of its obligations under the Merger Agreement shall not be considered a breach of this Section 2(b) (it being understood for the avoidance of doubt that the Stockholder shall remain responsible for any breach by it of this Section 2(b)).

(c) The Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that 10X and Merger Sub are entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon the Stockholder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement and but for the Stockholder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement 10X and Merger Sub would not have entered into, or agreed to consummate the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement.

 

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3. Stockholder Representations and Warranties. The Stockholder represents and warrants to 10X as follows:

(a) The Stockholder, if an entity, is a corporation, limited liability company or other applicable business entity duly organized or formed, as applicable, validly existing and in good standing (or the equivalent thereof, if applicable, in each case, with respect to the jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing or any equivalent thereof) under the Laws of its jurisdiction of formation or organization (as applicable).

(b) The Stockholder (i) if an entity, has the requisite corporate, limited liability company or other similar power and authority or (ii) if a natural person, has the requisite power and legal capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement, to perform its covenants, agreements and obligations hereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, those covenants, agreements and obligations hereunder that relate to the provisions of the Merger Agreement), and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. If the Stockholder is an entity, the execution and delivery of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate (or other similar) action on the part of the Stockholder. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Stockholder and constitutes a valid, legal and binding agreement of the Stockholder (assuming that this Agreement is duly authorized, executed and delivered by 10X), enforceable against the Stockholder in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting generally the enforcement of creditors’ rights and subject to general principles of equity).

(c) No consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Entity is required on the part of the Stockholder with respect to the Stockholder’s execution, delivery or performance of its covenants, agreements or obligations under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, those covenants, agreements and obligations under this Agreement that relate to the provisions of the Merger Agreement) or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, except for any consents, approvals, authorizations, designations, declarations, waivers or filings, the absence of which would not adversely affect the ability of the Stockholder to perform, or otherwise comply with, any of its covenants, agreements or obligations hereunder in any material respect, or which have already been obtained in advance of the Stockholder’s entry into this Agreement.

(d) None of the execution or delivery of this Agreement by the Stockholder, the performance by the Stockholder of any of its covenants, agreements or obligations under this Agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, those covenants, agreements and obligations under this Agreement that relate to the provisions of the Merger Agreement) or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will, directly or indirectly (with or without due notice or lapse of time or both) (i) result in any breach of any provision of the Stockholder’s organizational and governing documents (if applicable), (ii) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default or give rise to any right of termination, consent, cancellation, amendment, modification, suspension, revocation or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which the Stockholder is a party, (iii) violate, or constitute a breach under, any Governmental Order or applicable Law to which the Stockholder or any of its properties or assets are bound or (iv) other than the restrictions contemplated by this Agreement, result in the creation of any Lien upon the Subject Company Stock, except, in the case of any of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, as would not adversely affect the ability of the Stockholder to perform, or otherwise comply with, any of its covenants, agreements or obligations hereunder in any material respect.

(e) The Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the Subject Company Stock and has valid, good and marketable title to the Subject Company Stock, free and clear of all Liens (other than transfer restrictions under applicable Securities Law or under the African Agriculture Organizational Documents). Except for the equity securities of African Agriculture set forth on Schedule A hereto, together with any other equity securities of African Agriculture that the Stockholder acquires record or beneficial

 

3


ownership of after the date hereof that is either permitted pursuant to, or acquired in accordance with, Section 6.01 of the Merger Agreement, the Stockholder does not own, beneficially or of record, any equity securities of African Agriculture. The Stockholder does not own any right to acquire any equity securities of African Agriculture (except in its capacity as a stockholder). The Stockholder has the right to vote (and provide consent in respect of, as applicable) the Subject Company Stock and, except for this Agreement and the Merger Agreement, the Stockholder is not party to or bound by (i) any option, warrant, purchase right, or other Contract that would (either alone or in connection with one or more events, developments or events (including the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions precedent)) require the Stockholder to Transfer any of the Subject Company Stock or (ii) any voting trust, proxy or other Contract with respect to the voting or Transfer of any of the Subject Company Stock, in each case, that could reasonably be expected to (x) impair the ability of the Stockholder to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (y) prevent, impede or delay the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(f) There is no Action pending or, to the Stockholder’s knowledge, threatened against the Stockholder that, if adversely decided or resolved, would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the ability of the Stockholder to perform, or otherwise comply with, any of its covenants, agreements or obligations under this Agreement in any material respect.

(g) The Stockholder, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that (i) it has conducted its own independent review and analysis of, and, based thereon, has formed an independent judgment concerning, the business, assets, condition, operations and prospects of, 10X and (ii) it has been furnished with or given access to such documents and information about 10X and its respective businesses and operations as it and its Representatives have deemed necessary to enable it to make an informed decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the other Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

(h) In entering into this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party, the Stockholder has relied solely on its own investigation and analysis and the representations and warranties expressly set forth in the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party and no other representations or warranties of 10X or Merger Sub (including, for the avoidance of doubt, none of the representations or warranties of 10X set forth in the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement), any of their respective Affiliates or any other Person, either express or implied, and the Stockholder, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Representatives, acknowledges, represents, warrants and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party, none of 10X, Merger Sub, any of their respective Affiliates or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty, either express or implied, in connection with or related to this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements to which it is or will be a party or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

4. Transfer of Subject Securities. Except as expressly contemplated by the Merger Agreement or with the prior written consent of 10X (such consent to be given or withheld in its sole discretion), from and after the date hereof, the Stockholder agrees not to (a) Transfer any of the Subject Company Stock, (b) enter into (i) any option, warrant, purchase right, or other Contract that would (either alone or in connection with one or more events or developments (including the satisfaction or waiver of any conditions precedent)) require the Stockholder to Transfer the Subject Company Stock or (ii) any voting trust, proxy or other Contract with respect to the voting or Transfer of the Subject Company Stock, or (c) take any actions in furtherance of any of the matters described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b). For purposes of this Agreement, “Transfer” means any, direct or indirect, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, mortgage, exchange, hypothecation, grant of a security interest in or disposition or encumbrance of an interest (whether with or without consideration, whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law or otherwise). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Stockholder may transfer its Subject Company Stock to (x)

 

4


its Affiliates, (y) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization or pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order with prior written notice to (but without the consent of) 10X, or by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual, subject to any such transferee signing a joinder hereto agreeing to be bound by all provisions hereof to the same extent as the Stockholder, or (z) another Company Stockholder that is a party to an agreement with 10X and African Agriculture in form and substance substantially similar to this Agreement.

5. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without any notice or other action by any Party, and be void ab initio upon the earliest of (a) the Effective Time, (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, (c) the amendment or modification of the Merger Agreement without the Stockholder’s consent (1) to decrease the consideration payable under the Merger Agreement, or (2) to change the form of merger consideration in a manner adverse to the Stockholder and (d) the effective date of a written agreement of the parties hereto terminating this Agreement. Upon termination of this Agreement as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Parties shall have any further obligations or liabilities under, or with respect to, this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5(b) shall not affect any liability on the part of any Party for a Willful Breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination or Fraud, (ii) Section 2(b)(i) (solely to the extent that it relates to Section 8.04 (Confidentiality; Publicity) of the Merger Agreement) and the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3(g) and (h) shall each survive any termination of this Agreement and (iii) Section 2(b)(ii) (solely to the extent that it relates to Section 6.04 (No Claim Against the Trust Account) of the Merger Agreement) shall survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 5(b).

6. Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) the Stockholder makes no agreement or understanding herein in any capacity other than in the Stockholder’s capacity as a record holder and beneficial owner of the Subject Company Stock, and not in the Stockholder’s capacity as a director, officer or employee of African Agriculture or any of African Agriculture’s Subsidiaries and (b) nothing herein will be construed to limit, prevent or affect any action or inaction by the Stockholder or any representative of the Stockholder serving in its capacity as a member of the board of directors of African Agriculture or any Subsidiary thereof or as an officer, employee or fiduciary of African Agriculture, in each case, acting in such person’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or fiduciary of African Agriculture or any Subsidiary thereof.

7. No Recourse. Except for claims pursuant to the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement by any party(ies) thereto against any other party(ies) thereto, each Party agrees that (a) this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any action for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the Parties, and no claims of any nature whatsoever (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising under or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be asserted against African Agriculture, 10X or any Affiliate of 10X, and (b) none of African Agriculture, 10X or any Affiliate of 10X shall have any liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby, including with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished in connection with this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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8. Notices. All notices and other communications among the Parties shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (a) when delivered in person, (b) when delivered after posting in the United States mail having been sent registered or certified mail return receipt requested, postage prepaid, (c) when delivered by FedEx or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service or (d) when e-mailed during normal business hours (and otherwise as of the immediately following Business Day), addressed as follows:

 

  (a)

If to 10X, to:

10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II

1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor

New York, NY 10007

Attn:       Hans Thomas

E-mail:   hans@10xcapital.com

with a copy to:

Latham & Watkins LLP

99 Bishopsgate

London EC2M 3XF

United Kingdom

Attn:       J. David Stewart

      Ryan Maierson

E-mail:   j.david.stewart@lw.com

      ryan.maeirson@lw.com

 

  (b)

If to Stockholder, to:

[]

[]

Attn:       []

E-mail:   []

 

  (c)

If to African Agriculture, to:

African Agriculture Inc.

415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attn:       [  ]

E-mail:   [  ]

with a copy to:

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn:       [  ]

E-mail:   [  ]

or to such other address or addresses as the Parties may from time to time designate in writing.

 

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9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever by reason this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall constitute the Parties acting as partners or participants in a joint venture.

10. Miscellaneous. Sections 1.02 (Construction), 11.03 (Assignment), 11.06 (Governing Law), 11.07 (Captions; Counterparts), 11.09 (Entire Agreement), 11.10 (Amendments), 11.11 (Severability), 11.12 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury), 11.13 (Enforcement) and 11.15 (Non-survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement, mutatis mutandis.

[Signature page follows]

 

7


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

 

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Company Support Agreement]


[STOCKHOLDER]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Company Support Agreement]


Solely with respect to Section 1(a) hereto,
AFRICAN AGRICULTURE INC.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Company Support Agreement]


SCHEDULE A

 

Stockholder

 

Number of Shares

 ]

   ]


[SCHEDULE B3]

 

 

3 

To be provided.


Exhibit B

FORM OF ACQUIROR SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This ACQUIROR SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [  ], 2022, is made by and among 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X”), African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”), and 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and the undersigned directors and officers of 10X (collectively with the Sponsor, the “Class B Holders”). 10X, African Agriculture and the Class B Holders shall be referred to herein from time to time collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, 10X, African Agriculture and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Class B Holders are the record and beneficial owners of 5,332,328 issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares of 10X (the “10X Class B Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Parties will enter into this Agreement concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, each Class B Holder will vote in favor of approval of the Proposals and agree to certain transfer restrictions with respect to such Class B Holder’s Acquiror Common Stock.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Agreement to Vote. Each Class B Holder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees (a) to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of 10X, and in any action by written resolution of the shareholders of 10X, all of such Class B Holder’s 10X Class B Shares (together with any other equity securities of 10X that such Class B Holder holds of record or beneficially, as of the date of this Agreement, or acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, collectively, the “Subject 10X Equity Securities”) (i) in favor of the Proposals and (ii) against, and withhold consent with respect to, any other matter, action or proposal that would reasonably be expected to result in (x) a breach of any of the 10X’s or Merger Sub’s covenants, agreements or obligations under the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (y) any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 of the Merger Agreement not being satisfied, (b) if a meeting is held in respect of the matters set forth in clause (a), to appear at the meeting, in person or by proxy, or otherwise cause all of such Class B Holder’s Subject 10X Equity Securities to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum, (c) not to redeem, elect to redeem or tender or submit any of its Subject 10X Equity Securities for redemption in connection with such shareholder approval, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (d) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage (including by means of furnishing or disclosing information), knowingly facilitate, discuss or negotiate, directly or indirectly, any inquiry, proposal or offer (written or oral) that constitutes a Competing Proposal; (ii) furnish or disclose any non-public information about 10X to any Person in connection with a Competing Proposal; (iii) enter into any Contract or other arrangement or understanding regarding a Competing Proposal; or (iv) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly facilitate or encourage any effort or


attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing. The Class B Holder shall (A) notify African Agriculture promptly upon receipt of any Competing Proposal by the Class B Holder, and describe the material terms and conditions of any such offer in reasonable detail (including the identity of the Persons making such Competing Proposal) and (B) keep African Agriculture reasonably informed on a current basis of any modifications to such offer or information.

Prior to any valid termination of the Merger Agreement, each Class B Holder shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable Laws to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

2. Lock-Up.

a. For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) the term “First Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date;

(ii) the term “Lock-up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is one (1) year after the Closing Date; provided, that the Parties may mutually agree to shorten the duration of or otherwise waive the Lock-up Period;

(iii) the term “Lock-up Shares” means an amount of shares equal to one-half of the aggregate number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock held by the Class B Holders immediately following the Closing (excluding the (i) shares of Acquiror Common Stock underlying (a) the private placement units issued to the Sponsor in connection with its initial public offering or (b) any private placement units issued on conversion of Working Capital Loans, (ii) Acquiror Common Stock acquired after the date hereof in the public market, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, shares owned by the Class B Holders at Closing but which have been committed to be delivered following Closing to a third party shall not be considered “Lock-up Shares”;

(iv) the term “Permitted Transferees” means any Person to whom a Class B Holder is permitted to transfer Lock-up Shares prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2(c);

(v) the term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus of 10X, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-253867) on August 10, 2021;

(vi) the term “Second Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date; and

 

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(vii) the term “Transfer” means the (A) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any security, (B) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (C) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B).

b. The Class B Holders hereby agrees that each shall not, and shall cause any of its respective Permitted Transferees not to, Transfer any Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period (the “Transfer Restriction”), except in accordance with the following:

(i) with respect to one-third of the Lock-Up Shares (the “First Tranche”) no Transfer Restrictions shall apply to the First Tranche after the expiration of the First Lock-Up Period;

(ii) during the Second Lock-Up Period, the Transfer Restriction shall expire with respect to the remaining two-thirds of the Lock-Up Shares (the “Second Tranche”), upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the Acquiror Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period that commences at least six (6) months after the Closing Date (for the avoidance of doubt no Transfer Restriction shall apply to the First Tranche or Second Tranche after the expiration of the Second Lock-Up Period); and

(iii) on the date on which post-merger 10X completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of post-merger 10X’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Transfer Restriction will terminate with respect to all Lock-Up Shares.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2(b), a Class B Holder or its Permitted Transferees may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during the Lock-up Period to (i) to 10X’s officers or directors, (ii) to any Affiliates of the Sponsor; (iii) in respect of (i) or (ii), in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an Affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iv) in respect of (i), (ii) or (iii), in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (v) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or the Sponsor limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor, in each case, subject to any such transferee signing a joinder hereto agreeing to be bound by all provisions hereof to the same extent as the Sponsor.

d. The per share stock prices referenced in this Agreement will be equitably adjusted on account of any changes in the equity securities of 10X by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means.

e. If any Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and 10X shall refuse to recognize any such transferee of the Lock-Up Shares as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 2, 10X may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Lock-Up Shares (and any Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the First Lock-Up Period, the Second Lock-Up Period and the Lock-Up Period, as applicable.

 

3


f. During the applicable Lock-Up Period, each certificate (if any are issued) evidencing any Lock-Up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF [  ], 2022, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

g. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Class B Holders shall retain all of their respective rights as a shareholder of 10X with respect to the Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Lock-Up Shares.

3. Other Covenants.

a. Each Class B Holder hereby agrees to be bound by and subject to (i) Section 8.04 (Confidentiality; Publicity) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to the parties to the Merger Agreement, as if such Class B Holder is directly a party thereto, and (ii) Section 7.12 (Exclusivity) and Section 8.01(c) (Support of Transaction) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to 10X, as if such Class B Holder is directly party thereto.

b. Each Class B Holder acknowledges and agrees that African Agriculture is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Class B Holder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement and but for such Class B Holder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement African Agriculture would not have entered into, or agreed to consummate the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement.

4. Termination of 10X Class B Shares IPO Lock-up Period. Each Class B Holder and 10X hereby agree that effective as of the consummation of the Closing (and not before), Section 3 of that certain Letter Agreement, dated August 10, 2021, by and among 10X, the Class B Holders and certain other parties thereto (the “Class B Holder Agreement”), shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“3.Reserved.”

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Class B Holder Agreement, the restrictions set forth in Section 3 thereof shall be effective until the Closing.

The amendment and restatement set forth in this Section 4 shall be void and of no force and effect with respect to the Class B Holder Agreement if the Merger Agreement shall be terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms.

 

4


5. Representations and Warranties.

a. Sponsor represents and warrants to African Agriculture as follows: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within Sponsor’s, corporate, limited liability company or organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of Sponsor; (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Sponsor does not, and the performance by Sponsor of its obligations hereunder will not, (A) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of Sponsor, or (B) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any third party (including under any Contract binding upon Sponsor or Sponsor’s Subject 10X Equity Securities), in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) there are no Actions pending against Sponsor or, to the knowledge of Sponsor, threatened against Sponsor, before (or, in the case of threatened Actions, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement.

b. The undersigned directors and officers of 10X each represent and warrant to African Agriculture that he has full legal capacity, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations hereunder.

c. Each Class B Holder represents and warrants to African Agriculture as follows: (i) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Class B Holder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of such Class B Holder, enforceable against such Class B Holder in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies), (ii) such Class B Holder has not entered into, and shall not enter into, any agreement that would restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of such Class B Holder’s obligations hereunder, and (iii) such Class B Holder is the record and beneficial owner (as defined in the Securities Act) of, and has good title to, the respective Subject 10X Equity Securities set forth on Exhibit A hereto opposite such Class B Holder’s name, and, except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Reports there exist no Liens or any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such Subject 10X Equity Securities (other than transfer restrictions under the Securities Act)) or preemptive or other right or privilege for the purchase, acquisition or transfer from such Class B Holder affecting any such Subject 10X Equity Securities, other than Liens pursuant to (i) this Agreement, (ii) the 10X organizational documents, (iii) the Merger Agreement, (iv) the Class B Holder Agreement, or (v) any applicable Securities Laws.

6. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without any notice or other action by any Party, and be void ab initio upon the earlier of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. Upon termination of this Agreement as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Parties shall have any further obligations or liabilities under, or with respect to, this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(b) shall not affect any liability on the part of any Party for a Willful Breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination or Fraud, (ii) Sections 2, 4, 10 (solely to the extent related to Sections 2, 4 or 10) and 11 shall each survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(a), and (iii) Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 (solely to the extent related to the following Sections 7 or 9) shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

5


7. No Recourse. Except for claims pursuant to the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement by any party(ies) thereto against any other party(ies) thereto, each Party agrees that (a) this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any action for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the Parties, and no claims of any nature whatsoever (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising under or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be asserted against any Affiliate of African Agriculture or any Affiliate of 10X (other than the Class B Holders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein), and (b) none of the Affiliates of African Agriculture or the Affiliates of 10X (other than the Class B Holders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein) shall have any liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby, including with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished in connection with this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

8. Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) each Class B Holder makes no agreement or understanding herein in any capacity other than in its capacity as a record holder and beneficial owner of the Subject 10X Equity Securities and (b) nothing herein will be construed to limit or affect any action or inaction by any representative of the Sponsor in its capacity as a member of the board of directors (or other similar governing body) of 10X or any of its Affiliates or as an officer, employee or fiduciary of 10X or any of its Affiliates, in each case, acting in such person’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or fiduciary of 10X or such Affiliate.

9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever by reason this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall constitute the Parties, partners or participants in a joint venture.

10. Incorporation by Reference. Sections 1.02 (Construction) 11.03 (Assignment), 11.06 (Governing Law), 11.07 (Captions; Counterparts), 11.09 (Entire Agreement), 11.10 (Amendments), 11.11 (Severability), 11.12 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial), 11.13 (Enforcement) and 11.15 (Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

11. Waiver of Anti-dilution Protection. The Sponsor and each Class B Holder hereby irrevocably (a) waives, subject to, and conditioned upon, the occurrence of the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (b) agrees not to assert or perfect, any rights to adjustment or other anti-dilution protections in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

[signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.

 

10X CAPITAL SPAC SPONSOR II LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

10X CAPITAL VENTURE

ACQUISITION CORP. II

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


AFRICAN AGRICULTURE INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


OTHER CLASS B HOLDERS:
 

 

         Hans Thomas
 

 

  David Weisburd
 

 

  Boris Silver
 

 

  Woodrow H. Levin
 

 

  Christopher Jurasek

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

Class B Holder

  

Subject 10X Equity Securities


Exhibit C

FORM OF

AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [  ], 2022, is made and entered into by and among African Agriculture Inc. (f/k/a 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II), a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. (“Cantor”) and each of the undersigned parties listed under Holder on the signature pages hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor, Cantor, together with 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, 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (“10X”) and the Sponsor previously entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2021, pursuant to which the Sponsor purchased an aggregate of 7,666,667 shares (the “Founder Shares”) of 10X’s Class B ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Ordinary Shares”), 5,332,328 of which are held by the Sponsor as of the date hereof;

WHEREAS, the Founder Shares were convertible into Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”), on the terms and conditions provided in 10X’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association;

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X and the Sponsor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase 455,000 private placement units (the “Sponsor Private Placement Units”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of 10X’s initial public offering;

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X and Cantor entered into that certain Private Placement Units Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which Cantor agreed to purchase 200,000 private placement units (the “Underwriter Private Placement Units” and, collectively with the Sponsor Private Placement Units, the “Private Placement Units”), each Private Placement Unit consisting of one Class A Ordinary Share, par value $0.0001 per share of 10X (each share underlying a Private Placement Unit, a “Private Placement Share”) and one-third of one redeemable warrant (the “Private Placement Warrants”) in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of 10X’s initial public offering;

WHEREAS, on August 10, 2021, 10X, the Sponsor, Cantor and the other holders party thereto (each such party, together with the Sponsor and Cantor, the “Existing Holders”) entered into that certain Registration Rights Agreement (the “Existing Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which 10X granted the Sponsor, Cantor and the Existing Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of 10X held by the Existing Holders;

[WHEREAS, in order to finance 10X’s transaction costs in connection with its search for and consummation of an initial business combination, the Sponsor or an affiliate of the Sponsor or certain of 10X’s officers and directors could loan to 10X funds as 10X required, of which up to $[1,500,000] of such loans are convertible into private placement-equivalent units (“Working Capital Units”) at a price of $10.00 per unit at the option of the lender;]1

WHEREAS, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [  ], 2022 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among 10X, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X (“Merger Sub”) and African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”), African Agriculture will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X (the “Merger”);

WHEREAS, prior to the Merger, 10X domesticated as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and Article 206 of the Cayman Islands Companies Law (2020 Revision) (the “Domestication”), and in connection with the Domestication and the Merger, changed its name to [African Agriculture Holdings Inc.]. As part of the Domestication, (i) each Class B Ordinary Share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into one Class A Ordinary Share on the terms and conditions provided in 10X’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and the Acquiror Support Agreement, (ii) immediately following the conversion described in clause (i) each Class A Ordinary Share converted, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of

 

1 

NTD: Delete if no working capital units will be issued at closing


common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), and (iii) by virtue of the Domestication and without any action on the part of any holder, each outstanding warrant of 10X (including the warrants issued in 10X’s initial public offering and the Private Placement Warrants) became exercisable for one share of Common Stock in lieu of one Class A Ordinary Share (the “Warrants”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of 10X and the Existing Holders of a majority-in-interest of the “Registrable Securities” (as such term was defined in the Existing Registration Rights Agreement) at the time in question (which majority interest must include Cantor if such amendment or modification affects in any way the rights of Cantor thereunder); and

WHEREAS, the Company and the Existing Holders desire to amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement, in order to provide the Holders certain registration rights with respect to the Registrable Securities (as defined below) on the terms set forth herein.

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. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Section 1.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement:

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the principal 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 Misstatement, (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.

African Agriculture” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

Block Trade” means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a coordinated 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.

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

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

Commission” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

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

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

EDGAR” shall have the meaning set forth in subsection 3.1.3.

Effectiveness Deadline” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

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

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

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


Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.2.

Founder Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto shall be deemed to include the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

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

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

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

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

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

Lock-Up Period” shall mean the lock-up period specified with respect to a party in the Company Lock-up Agreement, dated [  ], 2022 or the Acquiror Support Agreement, dated [  ], 2022.

Permitted Transferees” shall mean a Person to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the applicable Lock-up Period pursuant to the Company Lock-up Agreement or Acquiror Support Agreement, as applicable.

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, trust, limited liability company, association or other entity.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares, shares of Common Stock or other equivalent equity security issued or issuable upon the conversion of any such Founder Shares or exercisable for Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock), (b) the Private Placement Shares (including any Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion or exchange of the Private Placement Shares), (c) the Private Placement Warrants (including any Class A Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement Warrants), (d) the Working Capital Units (including any securities underlying such Working Capital Units upon their split and any securities issued or issuable upon the exchange or conversion of the securities contained in the Working Capital Units)]2, (e) all shares of Common Stock issued to the equityholders of African Agriculture in the Merger, (f) any outstanding Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares, shares of Common Stock, Warrants, or any other equity security (including the Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, but only to the extent such securities are “restricted securities” or are held by an “affiliate” (each as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act), and (g) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such Class A Ordinary Shares, Class B Ordinary Shares or shares of Common Stock by way of a stock dividend, stock split, share capitalization or share sub-division 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 when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become

 

2 

NTD: to be removed if working capital units are not issued.


effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates or book entry positions 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; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (iv) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction; or (v) with respect to a Holder, when all such securities held by such Holder could be sold without restriction on volume or manner of sale in any three-month period without registration under Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission).

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

Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, excluding Selling Expenses, but 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 national 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 outside 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, not to exceed $75,000, of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Selling Holder Counsel”).

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act 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 Holders” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.5.

Rule 415” shall mean Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).

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

Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions, and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities, and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder, except for the fees and disbursements of the Selling Holder Counsel borne and paid by the Company as provided in Section 3.2.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 415.

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

Shelf Takedown Notice” shall have the meaning given in subsection2.1.4.

Shelf Threshold” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

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

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

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

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

Working Capital Units” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

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

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

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS

2.1 Shelf Registrations.

2.1.1 Initial Registration. The Company shall, as promptly as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) calendar days after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, use its commercially reasonable efforts to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders (and certain other outstanding equity securities of the Company as may be required by registration rights granted in favor of other stockholders or in the Company’s sole discretion) from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (a “Shelf Registration Statement”) on the terms and conditions specified in this subsection 2.1.1 and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective as promptly as reasonably practicable after the initial filing thereof, but in no event later than sixty (60) business days following the filing deadline (the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to ninety (90) days after the filing deadline if the Registration Statement is reviewed by, and receives comments from, the Commission. The Shelf Registration Statement filed with the Commission pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 shall be filed on Form S-1 (a “Form S-1 Shelf”) or such other form of registration statement as is then available to effect a registration for resale of such Registrable Securities, covering such Registrable Securities, and shall contain a Prospectus in such form as to permit any Holder to sell such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 at any time beginning on the effective date for such Shelf Registration Statement. A Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested prior to effectiveness by, the Holders, including the registration of the distribution to its shareholders, partners, members or other affiliates. The Company agrees to provide in a Shelf Registration Statement (and in any prospectus or prospectus supplement forming a part of such Shelf Registration Statement) that all assignees, successors or transferees under this Agreement shall, by virtue of such assignment, be deemed to be selling stockholders under the Shelf Registration Statement (or any such prospectus or prospectus supplement) with respect to such Registrable Securities. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 to remain effective, and to be supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that such Shelf Registration Statement is available or, if not available, that another Shelf Registration Statement is available, for the resale of all the Registrable Securities held by the Holders until all such Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities. When effective, a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any Prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made). As soon as practicable following the effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1, but in any event within three (3) business days of such date, the Company shall notify the Holders named therein of the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement. When effective, a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this subsection 2.1.1 will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and will not contain any Misstatement. The Company’s obligations under this subsection 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.2 Subsequent Registration Statement. If the Shelf Registration Statement required by subsection 2.1.1 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 commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, cause such Shelf Registration Statement to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the


effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as is reasonably practicable, amend such Shelf Registration Statement in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or file an additional Registration Statement (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) 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 Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement 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 Statement 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 Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as all such Registrable Securities included therein have ceased to be Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 (a “Form S-3 Shelf”) or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.3 Conversion to Form S-3. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert a Form S-1 Shelf into a Form S-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligations under this subsection 2.1.3, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.4 Shelf Takedown. At any time and from time to time following the effectiveness of the shelf registration statement required by subsection 2.1.1 or 2.1.2, and following any applicable Lock-up Period, any Holder (being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or a portion of their Registrable Securities in an underwritten offering that is registered pursuant to such shelf registration statement (an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”), provided, that such Holder(s) (a) reasonably expect aggregate gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000 from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown or (b) reasonably expects to sell all of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown but in no event less than $10,000,000 in aggregate gross proceeds (the “Shelf Threshold”). All requests for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall be made by giving written notice to the Company (the “Shelf Takedown Notice”). Each Shelf Takedown Notice shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the expected price range (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) of such Underwritten Shelf Takedown. 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 selected by the Company and shall take all such other commercially 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 Takedown contemplated by this subsection 2.1.4, subject to Section 3.3 and ARTICLE 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 Shelf Takedown. 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 shares of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other shares of Common Stock or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with Persons other than the Piggyback Registration Rights Holders hereunder, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown 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 Shelf Takedown, (i) first, before including any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities proposed to be sold by the Company or by other holders of Common Stock or other equity securities, 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) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities, (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of other Persons that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration 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. Except as provided in Section 3.2, if an Underwritten Shelf Takedown is withdrawn pursuant to such request, the Demanding Holder shall reimburse the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown). 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 Underwritten Shelf Takedown.

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. Subject to Section 2.4.3, if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company, including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to subsection 2.1.4), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that related to a transaction subject to Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iii) for a rights offering or an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iv) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (v) for a registered offering not involving a “road show” or other substantial marketing efforts or a widespread distribution of securities, such as a “registered direct” offering (whether or not underwritten), including a Block Trade, (vi) for an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal, or (vii) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as reasonably practicable but not less than five (5) business days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within three (3) business days after the sending of such written notice (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”, and each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Piggyback Registration, the “Piggyback Registration Rights Holders”); provided, further, that if the Company has been advised in writing by the managing Underwriter(s) that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the price, timing, or distribution of the Common Stock in an Underwritten Offering, then (1) if no Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the managing Underwriter(s), the Company shall not be required to offer such opportunity to such Holders or (2) if any Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the managing Underwriter(s), then the amount of Registrable Securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be determined based on the provisions of Section 2.2.2. 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 commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Piggyback Registration Rights Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the


sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Piggyback Registration Rights Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company. The notice periods set forth in this subsection 2.2.1 shall not apply to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown conducted in accordance with subsection 2.1.3. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any Registration Statement initiated by it under this subsection 2.2.1 before the effective date of such Registration, whether or not any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder has elected to include Registrable Securities in such Registration.

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

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

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


(c) if the Underwritten Shelf Takedown is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Underwritten Shelf Takedown securities in the priority set forth in subsection 2.1.5.

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by subsection 2.1.6) 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, at least five (5) business days prior to the time of pricing of the applicable offering). The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by Persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than subsection 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

2.2.4 Joinder of Piggyback Registration Rights Holders. If so indicated on its signature page hereto, a Holder may be designated solely as a Piggyback Registration Rights Holder hereunder, in which case such Piggyback Registration Rights Holder agrees that it shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the applicable terms, conditions, representations and warranties and other provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as a “Piggyback Registration Rights Holder” under this Section 2.2, with all attendant rights, benefits, duties, restrictions and obligations thereunder, and shall be fully bound by, and subject to, all of the applicable terms, conditions, representations and warranties and other provisions of this Registration Rights Agreement as a “Holder” for purposes of ARTICLE III, ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V hereto, with all attendant rights, benefits, duties, restrictions and obligations thereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder designated solely as such shall not be a “Holder” for any other purpose hereunder.

2.3 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade), if requested by the managing Underwriter(s), each Holder that is (a) an executive officer, (b) a director or (c) Holder in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock who is selling securities in the Underwritten Offering (and for which it is customary for such a Holder to agree to a lock-up) 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 and other than to Permitted Transferees prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the ninety (90)-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriter(s)) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriter(s) 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).

2.4 Block Trades.

2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of ARTICLE II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf Registration Statement is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder or Holders wishes to engage in Block Trade with a total offering price reasonably expected to exceed, in the aggregate, either (x) $50 million or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder or Holders, such Demanding Holder(s) 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 commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade. The Demanding Holder(s) 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.

2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade, a majority-in-interest of the Holders initiating such Block Trade shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.


2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade initiated by one or more Demanding Holders pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Agreement.

2.4.4 A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders in a Block Trade shall have the right to select the Underwriters and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) for such Block Trade (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

2.4.5 A Holder in the aggregate may demand no more than two (2) Block Trades pursuant to this Section 2.4 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 hereof.

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

3.1 General Procedures. If the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable 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 reasonably practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective pursuant to the terms of this Agreement until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution of such Registrable Securities or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

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 required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;

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 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 reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided, that the Company shall have no obligation to furnish any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission and publicly available pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”);

3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may reasonably request (or provide evidence reasonably 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 any Holder 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 or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;


3.1.5 use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national 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 commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

3.1.8 promptly following the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (other than by way of a document incorporated by reference) 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 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block trade, or a sale by a broker, placement agent, or sales agent pursuant to such Registration Statement, in each of the foregoing cases solely to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, permit a representative of the Holders (such representative to be selected by a majority in interest of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that any such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Registration, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters for a transaction of its type as the managing Underwriter(s) may reasonably request;

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

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 and as agreed to by the Company, 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), which requirement will be deemed satisfied if the Company timely files Forms 10-Q and 10-K, as may be required to be filed under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act;

3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $50,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and


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

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Demanding Holders (in which case the Demanding Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata based upon the number of Registrable Securities that were to be included in the withdrawn registration), unless if, at the time of such withdrawal, the Demanding Holders shall have learned of a material adverse change in the condition, business, or prospects of the Company not known (and not reasonably available upon request from the Company or otherwise) to the Demanding Holders at the time of their request and have withdrawn the request with reasonable promptness after learning of such information, then the Demanding Holders shall not be required to pay any of such expenses. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all Selling Expenses, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” and all reasonable fees and expenses of Selling Holder Counsel.

3.3 Requirements for Inclusion as a Selling Stockholder. At least ten (10) business days prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this ARTICLE III, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to notify each Holder in writing (which may be by email) of the information reasonably necessary about the Holder to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated to include such Holder’s Registrable Securities to the extent the Company has not received such information, and received any other reasonably requested agreements or certificates, on or prior to the fifth business day prior to the first anticipated filing date of a Registration Statement pursuant to this ARTICLE III. Further, 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.

3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure.

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with applicable law, 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.

3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time (i) would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (ii) would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, (iii) in the good faith judgment of a majority of the Board, would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes, as a result, that it is necessary to defer such filing, initial effectiveness, or continued use at such time, or (iv) if the majority of the Board, in its good faith judgment, determines to delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend the use of, a Registration Statement and such delay or suspension arises out of or is a result of, or is related to or is in connection with any publicly-available written guidance of the Commission, or any comments, requirements, or requests of the Commission Staff related to accounting, disclosure, or other matters, then the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentences, 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 until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.


3.4.3 Subject to Section 3.4.4, during the period starting with the date thirty (30) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date ninety (90) days (or such shorter time as the managing Underwriters may agree) after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to subsection 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to subsection 2.1.4 or Section 2.4.

3.4.4 The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness of a registered offering pursuant to Section 3.4.3 shall be exercised by the Company, in the aggregate, for not more than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days or more than sixty (60) total calendar days in each case during any twelve (12)-month period.

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, shall file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company 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 Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission, to the extent that such rule or such successor rule is available to the Company), including providing any customary 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 their demand registration rights and piggy back registration rights hereunder after five (5) and seven (7) years, respectively, after the effective date of the registration statement relating to the Company’s initial public offering and (ii) Cantor may not exercise its demand registration rights more than one time.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

4.1 Indemnification.

4.1.1 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, the Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each such Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each Person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each Person 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 4.1.1 shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim or proceeding if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed.

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors and officers and agents and each Person who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any other Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Registration, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses (including without limitation reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained, or incorporated by reference in accordance with the requirements of Form S-1 or Form S-3, in the 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 (in light of the circumstances in which they were made), but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of 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’s ability to defend such action) 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 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), which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault or culpability on the part of such indemnified party, 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 documented out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and documented out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by, in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or documented out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any Person 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, telecopy, telegram 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, telecopy, telegram 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: African Agriculture Inc., 415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10022, Attention: General Counsel; and a copy (which shall not constitute notice) shall also be sent to Morrison Cohen LLP, 909 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022, Attn: [  ], email: [  ], if to the Sponsor to: 10X Capital, 1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Attn: Hans Thomas, with copy to: (i) Latham & Watkins LLP, 99 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3XF, United Kingdom, Attn: J. David Stewart and (ii) Latham & Watkins, 811 Main Street, Suite 3700, Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Ryan Maierson, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address or facsimile number 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 Prior to the expiration of the applicable Lock-Up Period, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee.

5.2.3 Following the expiration of the applicable Lock-Up Period, a Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to any transferee of Registrable Securities;

5.2.4 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.

5.2.5 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.

5.2.6 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 Severability. This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible that is valid and enforceable.


5.4 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.

5.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including all agreements entered into pursuant hereto and all certificates and instruments delivered pursuant hereto and thereto) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, understandings, negotiations and discussions between the parties, whether oral or written. This Agreement will amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement to read as set forth herein, when it has been duly executed by parties having the right to so amend and restate the Existing Registration Rights Agreement.

5.6 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION. The parties (a) hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the jurisdiction of the state courts of Delaware and to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement, (b) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon this Agreement except in the state courts of Delaware or the United States District Court for the District of Delaware, and (c) hereby waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense, or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court.

5.7 WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, COUNTERCLAIM OR OTHER PROCEEDING (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, OR THE ACTIONS OF THE SPONSOR IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF.

5.8 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, 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 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; provided, further, that no consent of any Piggyback Registration Rights Holder shall be required with respect to any such waiver, amendment or modification, except with respect to any waiver, amendment or modification that adversely affects such Piggyback Registration Rights Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of Registrable Securities, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity). 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. Any amendment, termination, or waiver effected in accordance with this Section 5.8 shall be binding on each party hereto and all of such party’s successors and permitted assigns, regardless of whether or not any such party, successor or assignee entered into or approved such amendment, termination, or waiver.

5.9 Titles and Headings. Titles and headings of sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction of any provision of this Agreement.

5.10 Waivers and Extensions. Any party to this Agreement may waive any right, breach or default which such party has the right to waive, provided, that such waiver will not be effective against the waiving party unless it is in writing, is signed by such party, and specifically refers to this Agreement. Waivers may be made in advance or after the right waived has arisen or the breach or default waived has occurred. Any waiver may be conditional. No waiver of any breach of any agreement or provision herein contained shall be deemed a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach thereof nor of any other agreement or provision herein contained. No waiver or extension of time for performance of any obligations or acts shall be deemed a waiver or extension of the time for performance of any other obligations or acts.


5.11 Remedies Cumulative. In the event that the Company fails to observe or perform any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed under this Agreement, the Holders may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity or action at law, whether for specific performance of any term contained in this Agreement or for an injunction against the breach of any such term or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Agreement or to enforce any other legal or equitable right, or to take any one or more of such actions, without being required to post a bond. None of the rights, powers or remedies conferred under this Agreement shall be mutually exclusive, and each such right, power or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to any other right, power or remedy, whether conferred by this Agreement or now or hereafter available at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

5.12 Other Registration Rights. The Company represents and warrants that, no Person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other Person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that (1) this Agreement supersedes the Existing Registration Rights Agreement and any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

5.13 Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement and (ii) the date as of which no Registrable Securities remain outstanding; provided, that with respect to any Holder, this Agreement shall terminate on the date such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and ARTICLE IV shall survive any termination.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


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

 

COMPANY:
[•]
By:  

         

Name:    ]
Title:    ]

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


SPONSOR:

10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC

 

By: [  ]

By:  

         

Name:    ]
Title:    ]

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


CANTOR:
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
By:  

         

Name:    ]
Title:    ]

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:

 

10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company

By:  

         

Name:    ]
Title:    ]

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
By:  

         

  Hans Thomas

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

David Weisburd

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

Oliver Wriedt

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

Guhan Kandasamy

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

Christopher Jurasek

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

Boris Silver

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
      

 

Woodrow H. Levin

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


HOLDER:
By:  

 

Name:    ]
Title:    ]

 

[Signature Page to Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement]


Exhibit D

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

ARTICLE I

NAME

The name of the corporation is African Agriculture Holdings Inc. (the “Corporation”).

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is The Corporation Trust Company, 1209 Orange Street in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, State of Delaware, 19801, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

Section 4.1 Definitions. As used herein:

(a) “Effective Time” has the meaning set forth in the Merger Agreement.

(b) “Common Stock” means (i) prior to the Effective Time, the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, and (ii) after the Effective Time, the New Common Stock.

(c) “Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [], 2022, by and among the Corporation (f/k/a 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II), 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., and African Agriculture, Inc.

Section 4.2 Authorized Capital Stock; Automatic Reclassification.

(a) Prior to the Effective Time, the total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is [], of which (i) [] shares shall be Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”), (ii) [] shares shall be Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), and (iii) [] shares shall be Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”),.

(b) From and after the Effective Time, the total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is [], of which (i) [] shares shall be Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “New Common Stock”), and (ii) [] shares shall be Preferred Stock.

(c) At the Effective Time, each share of Class A Common Stock and each share of Class B Common Stock that is then issued and outstanding shall automatically and immediately be reclassified, on a one-for-one basis, into one share of New Common Stock, without any further action of any holder of the Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock.


Section 4.3 Preferred Stock. The Board (as defined below) is hereby expressly authorized to provide out of the unissued shares of the Preferred Stock for one or more series of Preferred Stock and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional, special and other rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “Preferred Stock Designation”) filed pursuant to the DGCL, and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

Section 4.4 Common Stock.

(a) Voting.

(i) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall exclusively possess all voting power with respect to the Corporation.

(ii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (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. Prior to the Effective Time, the rights attaching to the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall rank pari passu in all respects, and the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as a single class on all matters.

(iii) Except as otherwise required by law or this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, 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) Dividends. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

(c) Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up of the Corporation. Subject to applicable law and the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by them.

Section 4.5 Rights and Options. The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to acquire from the Corporation any shares of its capital stock of any class or classes, with such rights, warrants and options to be evidenced by or in instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options; provided, however, that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock issuable upon exercise thereof may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 5.1 Board Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”). In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, this Certificate or the Bylaws of the Corporation (“Bylaws”), the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended from time to time (the “DGCL”), this Certificate and any Bylaws adopted by the stockholders; provided, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

Section 5.2 Number, Election and Term.

(a) The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

(b) The Board shall be divided into three classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I, Class II and Class III. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I (“Class I Directors”), Class II (“Class II Directors”) or Class III (“Class III Directors”). The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, and the term of the initial Class III Directors shall expire at the third annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time. At each succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation following the Effective Time, each of the successors elected to replace the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term or until the election and qualification of their respective successors in office, subject to their earlier death, resignation or removal. If the number of directors that constitutes the Board is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shorten the term of any incumbent director. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. The Board is hereby expressly authorized, by resolution or resolutions thereof, to assign members of the Board already in office to the aforesaid classes (and therefore such classification) at the Effective Time, in each case, in accordance with the DGCL and the terms of the Director Nomination Agreement.

(c) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

Section 5.3 Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies. Newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely and exclusively by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum or by a sole remaining director (and not by stockholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

Section 5.4 Removal. Any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

 

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Section 5.5 Preferred Stock - Directors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

Section 5.6 Quorum. A quorum for the transaction of business by the directors shall be set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power and is expressly authorized to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and provided, further, however, that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the stockholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

Section 7.1 Annual Meetings. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting shall be held at such date, time and place, if any, as shall be determined exclusively by resolution of the Board in its sole and absolute discretion.

Section 7.2 Special Meetings. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and subject to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, special meetings of stockholders may not be called by another person or persons.

Section 7.3 Advance Notice. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

Section 7.4 No Action by Written Consent. Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such stockholders and may not be effected by written consent of the stockholders of the Corporation.

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Limitation of Director Liability. To the full extent permitted by the DGCL and any other applicable law currently or hereafter in effect, a director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal.

 

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Section 8.2 Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (any such person, an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as such a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay any and all expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay, without interest, all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 8.2 or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Section 8.2: (i) shall be contract rights; (ii) shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; and (iii) shall not be conditioned upon any prior determination that an indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Section 8.2 with respect to the related proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8.2(a), except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

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

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

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

ARTICLE IX

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity pursuant to Section 122(17) of the DGCL. As used herein, an “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of any director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, such Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation, and such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and

 

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would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article IX shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any Covered Person existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification. For purposes of this Article IX, “Affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

The Corporation reserves the right at any time and from time to time to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate (including any Preferred Stock Designation), and other provisions authorized by the laws of the State of Delaware at the time in force that may be added or inserted, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by this Certificate and the DGCL; and, except as set forth in Article VIII, all rights, preferences and privileges of whatever nature herein conferred upon stockholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to this Certificate in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this Article X. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Certificate or the Bylaws, and notwithstanding that a lesser percentage or vote may be permitted from time to time by applicable law, no provision of Article IV, Article V, Article VI, Article VIII, Article IX and this Article X (except by virtue of a filing of a Preferred Stock Designation, but subject to any vote required by law or by other provisions of this Certificate with respect to such Preferred Stock Designation) may be altered, amended or repealed in any respect, nor may any provision of this Certificate or of the Bylaws inconsistent therewith be adopted, unless in addition to any other vote required by this Certificate or otherwise required by law, such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption is approved at a meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE XI

EXCLUSIVE FORUM FOR CERTAIN LAWSUITS

Section 11.1 Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the “Court of Chancery”) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or this Certificate or the Bylaws or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction, or (D) arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as to which the Court of Chancery and the federal district court for the District of Delaware shall have concurrent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Section 11.1 will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 11.1.

Section 11.2 Consent to Jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of Section 11.1 immediately above is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce Section 11.1 immediately above (an “FSC Enforcement Action”) and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such FSC Enforcement Action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.

 

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Section 11.3 Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article XI shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article XI (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article XI containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Article XI.

ARTICLE XII

SECTION 203 OF THE DGCL

The Corporation hereby expressly elects not to be governed by Section 203 of the DGCL as now in effect or hereafter amended, or any successor statute thereto, and the restrictions contained in Section 203 of the DGCL shall not apply to the Corporation.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

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

 

African Agriculture Holdings Inc.
By:  

     

  Name:
  Title:

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation]


Exhibit E

BY LAWS

OF

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE HOLDINGS INC.

(THE “CORPORATION”)

ARTICLE I.

OFFICES

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

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

ARTICLE II.

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

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

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

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


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

Section 2.5 Voting of Shares.

(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Section 2.7 Advance Notice for Business.

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Section 2.9 Action Without Meeting. No action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws. Except as otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic transmission.

ARTICLE III.

DIRECTORS

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

 

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Section 3.2 Advance Notice for Nomination of Directors.

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

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

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

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

 

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

(f) In addition to the provisions of this Section 3.2, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein.

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

ARTICLE IV.

BOARD MEETINGS

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

ARTICLE V.

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

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

Section 5.2 Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.

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

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

 

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ARTICLE VI.

OFFICERS

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Secretary.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE VII.

SHARES

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

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

 

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

Section 7.4 Consideration and Payment for Shares.

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

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

Section 7.5 Lost, Destroyed or Wrongfully Taken Certificates.

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

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

Section 7.6 Transfer of Stock.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Section 7.8 Effect of the Corporations Restriction on Transfer.

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

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

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

ARTICLE VIII.

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation,

 

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is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

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

Section 8.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim therefor has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (a) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by an Indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (b) in any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that, the Indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including a determination by its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, shall be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE IX.

MISCELLANEOUS

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

Section 9.2 Fixing Record Dates.

(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice

 

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of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 9.3 Means of Giving Notice.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

Section 9.5 Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.

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

(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

Section 9.14 Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.

Section 9.15 Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws. The By Laws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the By Laws.

 

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Exhibit F

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

THIS LOCK-UP AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of [  ], 2022 between [  ], a [  ] (the “Stockholder”)1 and 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X”). The Stockholder and 10X are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, 10X, African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [  ], 2022 (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Stockholder will receive [  ] ([  ]) shares of Acquiror Common Stock (as defined in the Merger Agreement) at Closing (the “Stockholder Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Parties will enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Acquiror Common Stock held by the Stockholder immediately after the Effective Time (together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted) shall become subject to limitations on disposition as set forth herein.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. For purposes of this Agreement:

(a) the term “First Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date;

(b) the term “Lock-up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is one (1) year after the Closing Date; provided, that the Parties may mutually agree to shorten the duration of or otherwise waive the Lock-up Period;

(c) the term “Lock-up Shares” means the shares of Acquiror Common Stock held by the Stockholder immediately following the Closing (for the avoidance of doubt, (x) including the Stockholder Shares, and (y) excluding shares of Acquiror Common Stock acquired in the public market, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, shares not owned by the Stockholder at Closing shall not be considered “Lock-up Shares”;

(d) the term “Permitted Transferees” means any Person to whom the Stockholder is permitted to transfer Lock-up Shares prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2(a);

(e) the term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus of 10X, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-253867) on August 10, 2021;

(f) the term “Second Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date; and

(g) the term “Transfer” means the (A) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any security, (B) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (C) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B).

 

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Note to Draft: To be executed by each AA director, executive officer and any post-closing pubco stockholder who owns more than 1% upon closing.


2. Lock-Up Provisions.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2(b), the Stockholder or its Permitted Transferees may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during the Lock-up Period (i) to 10X’s officers or directors, (ii) to any Affiliates of the Stockholder; (iii) in respect of (i) or (ii), in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is the Stockholder, a member of such individual’s immediate family, an Affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iv) in respect of (i), (ii) or (iii), in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; or (v) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Stockholder limited partnership agreement upon dissolution of the Stockholder, in each case, subject to any such transferee signing a joinder hereto agreeing to be bound by all provisions hereof to the same extent as the Stockholder.

(b) The Stockholder hereby agrees that it shall not, and shall cause any of its Permitted Transferees not to, Transfer any Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period (the “Transfer Restriction”), except in accordance with the following:

 

  (i)

with respect to [  ]2 ([  ]) Lock-Up Shares (the “First Tranche”), no Transfer Restrictions shall apply to the First Tranche after the expiration of the First Lock-Up Period;

 

  (ii)

during the Second Lock-Up Period, the Transfer Restriction shall expire with respect to an additional [  ]3 ([  ]) Lock-Up Shares (the “Second Tranche”), upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the Acquiror Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period that commences at least six (6) months after the Closing Date (for the avoidance of doubt no Transfer Restriction shall apply to the Lock-Up Shares after the expiration of the Second Lock-Up Period); and

 

  (iii)

on the date on which post-merger 10X completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of post-merger 10X’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Transfer Restriction will terminate with respect to all Lock-Up Shares.

(c) The per share stock prices referenced in this Agreement will be equitably adjusted on account of any changes in the equity securities of 10X by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means.

(d) If any Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and 10X shall refuse to recognize any such transferee of the Lock-Up Shares as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 2, 10X may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Lock-Up Shares (and any Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the First Lock-Up Period, the Second Lock-Up Period and the Lock-Up Period, as applicable.

 

2 

Note to Draft: Amount to be 1/3rd of the holding company shares received in exchange for the existing equity held by the Stockholder at the time of the signing of the BCA.

3 

Note to Draft: Amount to be 2/3rd of the holding company shares received in exchange for the existing equity held by the Stockholder at the time of the signing of the BCA.

 

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(e) During the applicable Lock-Up Period, each certificate (if any are issued) evidencing any Lock-Up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF [  ], 2022, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

(f) For the avoidance of any doubt, the Stockholder shall retain all of its rights as a shareholder of 10X with respect to the Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Lock-Up Shares.

3. Miscellaneous.

(a) Effective Date. Section 1 of this Agreement shall become effective at the Effective Time.

(b) Termination of the Merger Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms prior to the Effective Time, this Agreement and all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect.

(c) Notices. All notices, consents, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered (i) in person, (ii) by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), (iii) one (1) Business Day after being sent, if sent by reputable, nationally recognized overnight courier service or (iv) three (3) Business Days after being mailed, if sent by registered or certified mail, pre-paid and return receipt requested, provided, however, that notice given pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) above shall not be effective unless a duplicate copy of such notice is also given in person or by e-mail (having obtained electronic delivery confirmation thereof), in each case to the applicable Party at the following addresses (or at such other address for a Party as shall be specified by like notice):

 

 

If to 10X, to:

 

10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II

1 World Trade Ceter

85th Floor

New York, NY 10007

Attn:   Hans Thomas, Chief Executive Officer

E-mail: hans@10xcapital.com

  

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

Latham & Watkins LLP

811 Main Street

Suite 3700

Houston, TX 77002

Attn:   J. David Stewart

Ryan Maierson

E-mail: j.david.stewart@lw.com

ryan.maierson@lw.com

 

   

If to the Stockholder, to:

 

[●]

[●]

[●]

[●]

Attn:     [●]

E-mail: [●]

  

With a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):

 

[●]

[●]

[●]

[●]

Attn:     [●]

E-mail: [●]

 

 

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(d) Incorporation by Reference. Sections 1.02 (Construction) 11.03 (Assignment), 11.06 (Governing Law), 11.07 (Captions; Counterparts), 11.09 (Entire Agreement), 11.10 (Amendments), 11.11 (Severability), 11.12 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial), 11.13 (Enforcement) and 11.15 (Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank; Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

STOCKHOLDER:
 ]
By:  

 

Name:
Title:
10X:
10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

 

Name:
Title:

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]


Exhibit G

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE INC.

STATEMENT UNDER TREASURY REGULATIONS SECTIONS 1.897-2(h) AND 1.1445-2(c)(3) RELATING TO STATUS OF INTERESTS AS “UNITED STATES REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS”

Reference is made to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of [], 2022 (the “Agreement”), by and among 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Acquiror”), 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”).

Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) provides that a transferee of a United States real property interest (as defined in Section 897(c) of the Code) must withhold tax if the transferor is a foreign person. This certificate is being provided pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3) and Section 8.03(c) of the Agreement. To inform Acquiror and Merger Sub that withholding of tax is not required under Section 1445 of the Code in connection with the transactions contemplated under the Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies the following on behalf of the Company:

 

  1.

The Company is not, and has not been, a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code and the applicable Treasury Regulations during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code.

 

  2.

Interests in the Company are not “United States real property interests” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1) of the Code.

 

  3.

The Company’s registered office is at [].

 

  4.

The Company’s U.S. employer identification number is [].

 

  5.

The Company understands that this certification may be disclosed to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service by Acquiror or Merger Sub and that any false statement contained herein could be punished by fine, imprisonment or both.

Under penalties of perjury, the undersigned, a responsible officer of the Company, declares (i) that the undersigned has examined this certification and, to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, it is true, correct, and complete and (ii) that the undersigned has the authority to sign this document on behalf of the Company.


African Agriculture Inc.
By:  

 

Name:   [                     ]
Title:   [                     ]
Date:   [], 2022


[Letterhead of Company providing FIRPTA Certificate]

[Date]

CERTIFIED MAIL & RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Internal Revenue Service

Ogden Service Center

P.O. Box 409101

Ogden, UT 84409

Re: NOTICE OF STATEMENT UNDER TREASURY REGULATIONS SECTIONS 1.897-2(h) AND 1.1445-2(c)(3)

Dear Sir or Madam:

At the request of 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (and predecessor of African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation following the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Agreement (defined below)) (“Acquiror”) and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), in connection with the merger[s] contemplated under the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of [], 2022 (the “Agreement”) by and among Acquiror, Merger Sub and African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company provided the attached statement (the “Statement”) to Acquiror and Merger Sub on [], 2022. The undersigned, being a duly authorized officer of the Company, hereby affirms the following:

(i) This notice is being provided to the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Treasury Regulations Sections 1.897-2(h) and 1.1445-2(c)(3);

(ii) The following information relates to the Company providing this notice:

Name:                                          African Agriculture Inc.

Address:                                      []

U.S. Employer Identification

Number:                                      []

(iii) The attached statement was not requested by a foreign interest holder. The attached statement was voluntarily provided by the Company in response to a request from Acquiror and Merger Sub in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(c)(3)(i). The following information relates to Acquiror and Merger Sub, respectively:

Name:                                       10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (and predecessor of African Agriculture Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation following the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Agreement (defined below))


Address:                                      []

U.S. Employer Identification

Number:                                      []

Name:                                         10X AA Merger Sub, Inc.

Address:                                      []

U.S. Employer Identification

Number:                                      []

(iv) The Company has provided to Acquiror and Merger Sub the attached Statement, certifying that: (A) the Company is not and has not been a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and the applicable Treasury Regulations during the applicable period specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code and (B) interests in the Company are not “United States real property interests” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(1) of the Code.

Under penalties of perjury, the undersigned, a responsible officer of the Company declares (i) that the undersigned has examined this affidavit and the attached Statement and, to the best of the undersigned’s knowledge and belief, this affidavit and the attached Statement is true, correct and complete and (ii) that the undersigned has the authority to execute this document on behalf of the Company.

 

African Agriculture Inc.
By:  

 

Name: [                     ]
Title: [                     ]
Date: [], 2022

Exhibit 10.1

ACQUIROR SUPPORT AGREEMENT

This ACQUIROR SUPPORT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of November 2, 2022, is made by and among 10x Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X”), African Agriculture Inc., a Delaware corporation (“African Agriculture”), and 10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and the undersigned directors and officers of 10X (collectively with the Sponsor, the “Class B Holders”). 10X, African Agriculture and the Class B Holders shall be referred to herein from time to time collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Merger Agreement (as defined below).

WHEREAS, 10X, African Agriculture and 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, the “Merger Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Class B Holders are the record and beneficial owners of 5,332,328 issued and outstanding Class B ordinary shares of 10X (the “10X Class B Shares”); and

WHEREAS, the Merger Agreement contemplates that the Parties will enter into this Agreement concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement by the parties thereto, pursuant to which, among other things, each Class B Holder will vote in favor of approval of the Proposals and agree to certain transfer restrictions with respect to such Class B Holder’s Acquiror Common Stock.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, each intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Agreement to Vote. Each Class B Holder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees (a) to vote at any meeting of the shareholders of 10X, and in any action by written resolution of the shareholders of 10X, all of such Class B Holder’s 10X Class B Shares (together with any other equity securities of 10X that such Class B Holder holds of record or beneficially, as of the date of this Agreement, or acquires record or beneficial ownership after the date hereof, collectively, the “Subject 10X Equity Securities”) (i) in favor of the Proposals and (ii) against, and withhold consent with respect to, any other matter, action or proposal that would reasonably be expected to result in (x) a breach of any of the 10X’s or Merger Sub’s covenants, agreements or obligations under the Merger Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement or (y) any of the conditions to the Closing set forth in Sections 9.01, 9.02 or 9.03 of the Merger Agreement not being satisfied, (b) if a meeting is held in respect of the matters set forth in clause (a), to appear at the meeting, in person or by proxy, or otherwise cause all of such Class B Holder’s Subject 10X Equity Securities to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum, (c) not to redeem, elect to redeem or tender or submit any of its Subject 10X Equity Securities for redemption in connection with such shareholder approval, the Merger or any other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, (d) not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage (including by means of furnishing or disclosing information), knowingly facilitate, discuss or negotiate, directly or indirectly, any inquiry, proposal or offer (written or oral) that constitutes a Competing Proposal; (ii) furnish or disclose any non-public information about 10X to any Person in connection with a Competing Proposal; (iii) enter into any Contract or other arrangement or understanding regarding a Competing Proposal; or (iv) otherwise cooperate in any way with, or assist or participate in, or knowingly facilitate or encourage any effort or attempt by any Person to do or seek to do any of the foregoing. The Class B Holder shall (A) notify African Agriculture promptly upon receipt of any Competing Proposal by the Class B Holder, and describe the material terms and conditions of any such offer in reasonable detail (including the identity of the Persons making such Competing Proposal) and (B) keep African Agriculture reasonably informed on a current basis of any modifications to such offer or information.


Prior to any valid termination of the Merger Agreement, each Class B Holder shall take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary under applicable Laws to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein.

2. Lock-Up.

a. For purposes of this Agreement:

(i) the term “First Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date;

(ii) the term “Lock-up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the date that is one (1) year after the Closing Date; provided, that the Parties may mutually agree to shorten the duration of or otherwise waive the Lock-up Period;

(iii) the term “Lock-up Shares” means an amount of shares equal to one-half of the aggregate number of shares of Acquiror Common Stock held by the Class B Holders immediately following the Closing (excluding the (i) shares of Acquiror Common Stock underlying (a) the private placement units issued to the Sponsor in connection with its initial public offering or (b) any private placement units issued on conversion of Working Capital Loans, (ii) Acquiror Common Stock acquired after the date hereof in the public market, together with any securities paid as dividends or distributions with respect to such securities or into which such securities are exchanged or converted); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, shares owned by the Class B Holders at Closing but which have been committed to be delivered following Closing to a third party shall not be considered “Lock-up Shares”;

(iv) the term “Permitted Transferees” means any Person to whom a Class B Holder is permitted to transfer Lock-up Shares prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2(c);

(v) the term “Prospectus” means the final prospectus of 10X, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-253867) on August 10, 2021;

(vi) the term “Second Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months after the Closing Date; and

(vii) the term “Transfer” means the (A) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, with respect to, any security, (B) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (C) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B).

 

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b. The Class B Holders hereby agrees that each shall not, and shall cause any of its respective Permitted Transferees not to, Transfer any Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period (the “Transfer Restriction”), except in accordance with the following:

(i) with respect to one-third of the Lock-Up Shares (the “First Tranche”) no Transfer Restrictions shall apply to the First Tranche after the expiration of the First Lock-Up Period;

(ii) during the Second Lock-Up Period, the Transfer Restriction shall expire with respect to the remaining two-thirds of the Lock-Up Shares (the “Second Tranche”), upon the date on which the last reported sale price of the Acquiror Common Stock exceeds $12.00 per share for any twenty (20) trading days within any consecutive thirty (30) trading day period that commences at least six (6) months after the Closing Date (for the avoidance of doubt no Transfer Restriction shall apply to the First Tranche or Second Tranche after the expiration of the Second Lock-Up Period); and

(iii) on the date on which post-merger 10X completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of post-merger 10X’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares for cash, securities or other property, the Transfer Restriction will terminate with respect to all Lock-Up Shares.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2(b), a Class B Holder or its Permitted Transferees may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during the Lock-up Period to (i) to 10X’s officers or directors, (ii) to any Affiliates of the Sponsor; (iii) in respect of (i) or (ii), in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an Affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (iv) in respect of (i), (ii) or (iii), in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (v) by virtue of the laws of the Cayman Islands or the Sponsor limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor, in each case, subject to any such transferee signing a joinder hereto agreeing to be bound by all provisions hereof to the same extent as the Sponsor.

d. The per share stock prices referenced in this Agreement will be equitably adjusted on account of any changes in the equity securities of 10X by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or business combination, or by any other means.

e. If any Transfer is made or attempted contrary to the provisions of this Agreement, such Transfer shall be null and void ab initio, and 10X shall refuse to recognize any such transferee of the Lock-Up Shares as one of its equity holders for any purpose. In order to enforce this Section 2, 10X may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Lock-Up Shares (and any Permitted Transferees and assigns thereof) until the end of the First Lock-Up Period, the Second Lock-Up Period and the Lock-Up Period, as applicable.

f. During the applicable Lock-Up Period, each certificate (if any are issued) evidencing any Lock-Up Shares shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form, in addition to any other applicable legends:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER SET FORTH IN A LOCK-UP AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF NOVEMBER 2, 2022, BY AND AMONG THE ISSUER OF SUCH SECURITIES (THE “ISSUER”) AND THE ISSUER’S SECURITY HOLDER NAMED THEREIN, AS AMENDED. A COPY OF SUCH LOCK-UP AGREEMENT WILL BE FURNISHED WITHOUT CHARGE BY THE ISSUER TO THE HOLDER HEREOF UPON WRITTEN REQUEST.”

 

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g. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Class B Holders shall retain all of their respective rights as a shareholder of 10X with respect to the Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period, including the right to vote any Lock-Up Shares.

3. Other Covenants.

a. Each Class B Holder hereby agrees to be bound by and subject to (i) Section 8.04 (Confidentiality; Publicity) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to the parties to the Merger Agreement, as if such Class B Holder is directly a party thereto, and (ii) Section 7.12 (Exclusivity) and Section 8.01(c) (Support of Transaction) of the Merger Agreement to the same extent as such provisions apply to 10X, as if such Class B Holder is directly party thereto.

b. Each Class B Holder acknowledges and agrees that African Agriculture is entering into the Merger Agreement in reliance upon such Class B Holder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement and but for such Class B Holder entering into this Agreement and agreeing to be bound by, and perform, or otherwise comply with, as applicable, the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in this Agreement African Agriculture would not have entered into, or agreed to consummate the transactions contemplated by, the Merger Agreement.

4. Termination of 10X Class B Shares IPO Lock-up Period. Each Class B Holder and 10X hereby agree that effective as of the consummation of the Closing (and not before), Section 3 of that certain Letter Agreement, dated August 10, 2021, by and among 10X, the Class B Holders and certain other parties thereto (the “Class B Holder Agreement”), shall be amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

“3. Reserved.”

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Class B Holder Agreement, the restrictions set forth in Section 3 thereof shall be effective until the Closing.

The amendment and restatement set forth in this Section 4 shall be void and of no force and effect with respect to the Class B Holder Agreement if the Merger Agreement shall be terminated for any reason in accordance with its terms.

5. Representations and Warranties.

a. Sponsor represents and warrants to African Agriculture as follows: (i) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands, and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are within Sponsor’s, corporate, limited liability company or organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary actions on the part of Sponsor; (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Sponsor does not, and the performance by Sponsor of its obligations hereunder will not, (A) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of Sponsor, or (B) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any third party (including under any Contract binding upon Sponsor or Sponsor’s Subject 10X Equity Securities), in each case, to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement; and (iii) there are no Actions pending against Sponsor or, to the knowledge of Sponsor, threatened against Sponsor, before (or, in the case of threatened Actions, that would be before) any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority, which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by Sponsor of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

4


b. The undersigned directors and officers of 10X each represent and warrant to African Agriculture that he has full legal capacity, right and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform his obligations hereunder.

c. Each Class B Holder represents and warrants to African Agriculture as follows: (i) this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Class B Holder and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by the other parties to this Agreement, this Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of such Class B Holder, enforceable against such Class B Holder in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy Laws, other similar Laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies), (ii) such Class B Holder has not entered into, and shall not enter into, any agreement that would restrict, limit or interfere with the performance of such Class B Holder’s obligations hereunder, and (iii) such Class B Holder is the record and beneficial owner (as defined in the Securities Act) of, and has good title to, the respective Subject 10X Equity Securities set forth on Exhibit A hereto opposite such Class B Holder’s name, and, except as disclosed in the Acquiror SEC Reports there exist no Liens or any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such Subject 10X Equity Securities (other than transfer restrictions under the Securities Act)) or preemptive or other right or privilege for the purchase, acquisition or transfer from such Class B Holder affecting any such Subject 10X Equity Securities, other than Liens pursuant to (i) this Agreement, (ii) the 10X organizational documents, (iii) the Merger Agreement, (iv) the Class B Holder Agreement, or (v) any applicable Securities Laws.

6. Termination. This Agreement shall automatically terminate, without any notice or other action by any Party, and be void ab initio upon the earlier of (a) the Effective Time and (b) the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms. Upon termination of this Agreement as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, none of the Parties shall have any further obligations or liabilities under, or with respect to, this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(b) shall not affect any liability on the part of any Party for a Willful Breach of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement prior to such termination or Fraud, (ii) Sections 2, 4, 10 (solely to the extent related to Sections 2, 4 or 10) and 11 shall each survive the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 6(a), and (iii) Sections 7, 8, 9 and 10 (solely to the extent related to the following Sections 7 or 9) shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

7. No Recourse. Except for claims pursuant to the Merger Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement by any party(ies) thereto against any other party(ies) thereto, each Party agrees that (a) this Agreement may only be enforced against, and any action for breach of this Agreement may only be made against, the Parties, and no claims of any nature whatsoever (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising under or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be asserted against any Affiliate of African Agriculture or any Affiliate of 10X (other than the Class B Holders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein), and (b) none of the Affiliates of African Agriculture or the Affiliates of 10X (other than the Class B Holders, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein) shall have any liability arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or its subject matter, or the transactions contemplated hereby, including with respect to any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for breach of this Agreement or in respect of any written or oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith, as expressly provided herein, or for any actual or alleged inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with respect to any information or materials of any kind furnished in connection with this Agreement, the negotiation hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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8. Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (a) each Class B Holder makes no agreement or understanding herein in any capacity other than in its capacity as a record holder and beneficial owner of the Subject 10X Equity Securities and (b) nothing herein will be construed to limit or affect any action or inaction by any representative of the Sponsor in its capacity as a member of the board of directors (or other similar governing body) of 10X or any of its Affiliates or as an officer, employee or fiduciary of 10X or any of its Affiliates, in each case, acting in such person’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or fiduciary of 10X or such Affiliate.

9. No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement shall be for the sole benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and is not intended, nor shall be construed, to give any Person, other than the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns, any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever by reason this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall constitute the Parties, partners or participants in a joint venture.

10. Incorporation by Reference. Sections 1.02 (Construction) 11.03 (Assignment), 11.06 (Governing Law), 11.07 (Captions; Counterparts), 11.09 (Entire Agreement), 11.10 (Amendments), 11.11 (Severability), 11.12 (Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial), 11.13 (Enforcement) and 11.15 (Non-Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants) of the Merger Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and shall apply to this Agreement mutatis mutandis.

11. Waiver of Anti-dilution Protection. The Sponsor and each Class B Holder hereby irrevocably (a) waives, subject to, and conditioned upon, the occurrence of the Closing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and (b) agrees not to assert or perfect, any rights to adjustment or other anti-dilution protections in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

[signature page follows]

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Parties has caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the day and year first above written.

 

10X CAPITAL SPAC SPONSOR II LLC
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

  Name: Hans Thomas
  Title: Sole Managing Member

 

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

  Name: Hans Thomas
  Title: Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


AFRICAN AGRICULTURE INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Kessler

  Name: Alan Kessler
  Title:   Chairman & CEO

 

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


OTHER CLASS B HOLDERS:
              

/s/ Hans Thomas

  Hans Thomas
 

/s/ David Weisburd

  David Weisburd
 

/s/ Boris Silver

  Boris Silver
 

/s/ Woodrow H. Levin

  Woodrow H. Levin
 

/s/ Christopher Jurasek

  Christopher Jurasek

 

[Signature Page to Acquiror Support Agreement]


Exhibit A

 

Class B Holder

   Subject 10X Equity Securities  

10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC

     5,332,328  

Hans Thomas

     0  

David Weisburd

     0  

Boris Silver

     0  

Woodrow H. Levin

     0  

Christopher Jurasek

     0  

Exhibit 10.2

FORM OF NON-REDEMPTION AGREEMENT

 

SPAC

10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Island exempted company (“SPAC”).

 

Sponsor

10X Capital SPAC Sponsor II LLC

 

Investor

[    ]

 

Investor Agreements

Investor commits to own, prior to the date of the special meeting with respect to the SPAC’s shareholder vote in connection with the amendment of SPAC’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association to extend the date by which the SPAC must consummate an initial business combination by six months (the “Extension”), [        ] SPAC Class A Shares (the “Investor Shares”).

 

  Investor waives any right that it may have to elect to have SPAC redeem any Investor Shares and agrees not to redeem or otherwise exercise any right to redeem, the Investor Shares and to reverse and revoke any prior redemption elections made with respect to the Investor Shares in connection with the Extension.

 

  Investor agrees that neither it, nor any person or entity acting on its behalf or pursuant to any understanding with it, will, from the execution of this Agreement until the business day following a successful shareholder vote with respect to the Extension, (a) engage in any hedging transactions or Short Sales (as defined below) with respect to securities of SPAC, (b) offer for sale, sell (including Short Sales), transfer (including by operation of law), place a lien on, pledge, convert, assign or otherwise dispose of (including by gift, merger, tendering into any tender offer or exchange offer or otherwise) or encumber (collectively, a “Transfer”), or enter into any contract, option, derivative, hedging or other agreement, arrangement, undertaking or understanding (including any profit-sharing arrangement) with respect to, or consent to, a direct or indirect Transfer of, any or all of the Investor Shares, or (c) take any action that would have the effect of preventing or materially delaying the performance of its obligations hereunder. For purposes of this agreement (this “Agreement”), “Short Sales” shall include, without limitation, (i) all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, (ii) all types of direct and indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage or other similar financing arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and (iii) sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.


  Investor agrees that it will and will cause its controlled affiliates to vote (or cause to be voted) or execute and deliver a written consent (or cause a written consent to be executed and delivered) all of SPAC Class A Shares and SPAC Class B Shares owned, as of the applicable record date, by any of them at any meeting of the shareholders of the SPAC in favor of the Extension and cause all such shares to be counted as present thereat for purposes of establishing a quorum.

 

Transferred Sponsor Shares

[    ] fully paid, non-assessable SPAC Class B Shares; provided that if there are less than [    ] Investor Shares subject to this Agreement, the amount of SPAC Class B Shares will be reduced proportionally.

 

SPAC and Sponsor Agreements

Subject to the compliance of the Investor with the agreements and representations herein and conditioned on the consummation of the Extension, the Sponsor agrees to issue to the Investor the Transferred Sponsor Shares on or promptly after the consummation of the SPAC’s business combination. The SPAC will not make any amendments to the terms of the Transferred Sponsor Shares stated in the IPO prospectus dated August 10, 2021. The Transferred Sponsor Shares will not be subject to any earn-out, cut-back, reduction, mandatory repurchase, redemption, forfeiture or transfer restriction not described here or in the IPO prospectus, without the Investor’s prior written consent.

 

Investor Representations and Warranties:

Investor represents and warrants to SPAC and Sponsor the representations and warranties on Exhibit A hereto.

 

Termination Event

This Agreement and all of its provisions shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the earliest to occur of (a) the mutual written consent of the parties hereto and (b) the consummation of the Extension and the delivery of the Transferred Sponsor Shares to the Investor.

 

Disclosure

SPAC shall promptly following the execution of this Agreement adequately discloses the material terms and conditions of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. SPAC shall not name Investor in such disclosure unless required by applicable law or regulation.

 

Governing Law and Jurisdiction

New York

 

Trust Account Waiver

Investor acknowledges that SPAC has established a trust account (the “Trust Account”) containing the proceeds of its initial public offering (“IPO”) and certain proceeds of the private placement (including interest accrued from time to time thereon) for the benefit of its public shareholders and certain other parties (including the underwriters of the IPO). For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Investor hereby agrees (on its own behalf and on behalf

 

2


 

of its related parties) that it does not now and shall not at any time hereafter have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any assets held in the Trust Account, and it shall not make any claim against the Trust Account, regardless of whether such claim arises as a result of, in connection with or relating in any way to this Agreement or any other matter, and regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability (any and all such claims are collectively referred to hereafter as the “Released Claims”); provided, that the Released Claims shall not include any rights or claims of the Investor or any of its related parties as a shareholder of SPAC to the extent related to or arising from any shares of the SPAC.

 

Entire Agreement

This Agreement and the agreements referenced herein constitute the entire binding agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties hereto to the extent that they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof.

 

3


[INVESTOR]     10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:         By:    
  Name:         Name:  
  Title:         Title:  

 

10X CAPITAL SPAC SPONSOR II LLC
By:    
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

4


EXHIBIT A

(a)    This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery by Sponsor and SPAC, this Agreement constitutes a legally valid and binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with the terms hereof (except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy laws, other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights and general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies).

(b)    The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Investor does not, and the performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder will not, (i) conflict with or result in a violation of the organizational documents of the Investor or (ii) require any consent or approval that has not been given or other action that has not been taken by any person, in each case to the extent such consent, approval or other action would prevent, enjoin or materially delay the performance by the Investor of its obligations under this Agreement.

(c)    The Investor (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), in each case, satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Annex A, (ii) is acquiring any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement only for its own account and not for the account of others, or if the Investor is acquiring any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each owner of such account is a qualified institutional buyer or institutional accredited investor (as the case may be) and the Investor has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act (and shall provide the requested information on Annex A). The Investor is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, unless such newly formed entity is an entity in which all of the investors are institutional accredited investors, and is an “institutional account” as defined by FINRA Rule 4512(c). The Investor is a sophisticated institutional investor, experienced in investing in private equity transactions and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities. Accordingly, the Investor understands that the acquisition of any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement meets (i) the exemptions from filing under FINRA Rule 5123(b)(1)(A) and (ii) the institutional customer exemption under FINRA Rule 2111(b).

(d)    The Investor understands that any Transferred Sponsor Shares that may be issued to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Transferred Sponsor Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act. The Investor understands that the Transferred Sponsor Shares may not be offered, resold, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of by the Investor absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and in accordance with any applicable securities laws of the applicable states and other jurisdictions of the United States, and that any certificates or book entry records representing the

 

5


Transferred Sponsor Shares shall contain a restrictive legend to such effect. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Transferred Sponsor Shares will be subject to these securities law transfer restrictions and, as a result of these transfer restrictions, the Investor may not be able to readily resell the Transferred Sponsor Shares and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Transferred Sponsor Shares for an indefinite period of time. The Investor understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of the Transferred Sponsor Shares.

(e)    In making its decision to invest in the Transferred Sponsor Shares, the Investor has relied solely upon independent investigation made by the Investor and Sponsor’s and SPAC’s representations, warranties and covenants contained herein. The Investor has not relied on any statements or other information provided by anyone other than SPAC concerning SPAC, the Transferred Sponsor Shares or the offer of the Transferred Sponsor Shares. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that the Investor has received such information as the Investor deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Transferred Sponsor Shares and made its own assessment and is satisfied concerning the relevant tax and other economic considerations relevant to the Investor’s investment in the Transferred Sponsor Shares. The Investor represents and agrees that the Investor and the Investor’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such information as the Investor and its professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Transferred Sponsor Shares. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Investor acknowledges that it has had an opportunity to review the reports publicly filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(f)    Investor became aware of the offering of the Transferred Sponsor Shares solely by means of direct contact between the Investor, Sponsor, SPAC or their representatives or affiliates. The Investor did not become aware of the offering of the Transferred Sponsor Shares, nor were the Transferred Sponsor Shares offered to the Investor, by any other means. The Investor acknowledges that Transferred Sponsor Shares (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under the Securities Act or any state securities laws.

(g)    Investor acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the ownership of the Transferred Sponsor Shares. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Transferred Sponsor Shares, and the Investor has had an opportunity to seek, and has sought, such accounting, legal, business and tax advice as the Investor has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision. The Investor is not relying on any statements or representations of Sponsor, SPAC or any of its agents for legal, tax or investment advice with respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Agreement. The Investor has fully considered the risks of an investment in the Transferred Sponsor Shares and determined that the Transferred Sponsor Shares are a suitable investment for the Investor and that the Investor is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of the Investor’s investment in the Transferred Sponsor Shares. The Investor acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.

 

6


(h)    The Investor understands and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Transferred Sponsor Shares or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment.

(i)    No broker or finder has acted on behalf of the Investor in such a way as to create any liability on Sponsor or SPAC in connection with this Agreement.

(j)    The Investor is not entering into the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to create actual or apparent trading activity in any security of the SPAC (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for a security of the SPAC) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of any security of the SPAC (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for a security of the SPAC) or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act. The Investor has not entered into or altered, and agrees that the Investor will not enter into or alter, any corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to any security of the SPAC.

 

7

Exhibit 10.3

EXECUTION VERSION

STANDBY EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS STANDBY EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of November 2, 2022 is made by and between YA II PN, LTD., a Cayman Islands exempt limited partnership (the “Investor”), and 10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II, a company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Company”).

WHEREAS, the parties desire that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions contained herein, the Company, upon the closing of the Business Combination (as defined below) shall have the right to issue and sell to the Investor, from time to time as provided herein, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, up to the lesser of (i) $100 million in aggregate gross purchase price of the newly issued shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Shares”), and (ii) the Exchange Cap (to the extent applicable); and

WHEREAS, upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Company will redomicile in Delaware and the Common Shares of the combined entity will be listed for trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC;

WHEREAS, the offer and sale of the Common Shares issuable hereunder will be made in reliance upon Section 4(a)(2) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Securities Act”), or upon such other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act as may be available with respect to any or all of the transactions to be made hereunder; and

WHEREAS, in consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Company shall issue to the Investor the Commitment Shares pursuant to and in accordance with Section 12.04.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Article I. Certain Definitions

Additional Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(ii).

Adjusted Advance Amount” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(i).

Advance” shall mean any issuance and sale of Advance Shares from the Company to the Investor pursuant to Article II hereof.

Advance Date” shall mean the first Trading Day after expiration of the applicable Pricing Period for each Advance.

Advance Notice” shall mean a written notice in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto to the Investor executed by an officer of the Company and setting forth a number of Advance Shares that the Company desires to issue and sell to the Investor.


Advance Notice Date” shall mean each date the Company is deemed to have delivered (in accordance with Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement) an Advance Notice to the Investor, subject to the terms of this Agreement.

Advance Shares” shall mean the Common Shares that the Company desires to issue and sell to the Investor as requested by the Company pursuant to an Advance Notice.

Affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.07.

Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Applicable Laws” shall mean all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, orders, executive orders, directives, policies, guidelines and codes having the force of law, whether local, national, or international, as amended from time to time, including without limitation (i) all applicable laws that relate to money laundering, terrorist financing, financial record keeping and reporting, (ii) all applicable laws that relate to anti-bribery, anti-corruption, books and records and internal controls, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, and (iii) any Sanctions laws.

Average Price” shall mean a price per Share (rounded to the nearest tenth of a cent) equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the aggregate gross purchase price paid by the Investor for all Shares purchased pursuant to this Agreement, by (ii) the aggregate number of Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement.

Black Out Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.02.

Business Combination” shall mean the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Merger Sub”) and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Target”), whereby (i) the Merger Sub will merge with and into the Target, with the Target surviving as a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) at least one day prior to the transactions referred to in clause (i), the Company will, subject to the approval of the Company’s shareholders, domesticate and transfer by way of continuation as a Delaware corporation in accordance with Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and Part XII of the Companies Act (As Revised) of the Cayman Islands, and (iii) the shares of the Company, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated in clauses (i) and (ii), shall become listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under a new ticker symbol.

Closing” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02.

Commitment Amount” shall mean $100,000,000 of Common Shares, provided that, the Company shall not issue and sell any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement and the Investor shall not purchase or acquire any Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement to the extent (but only to the extent) that after giving effect to such purchase and sale the aggregate number of Common Shares that would be issued pursuant to this Agreement and the transactions

 

- 2 -


contemplated hereby would exceed 19.99% of the voting power or number of issued and outstanding Common Shares calculated in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market, which number of shares shall be reduced, on a share-for-share basis, by the number of Common Shares issued or issuable pursuant to any transaction or series of transactions that may be aggregated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under applicable rules of the Principal Market (such maximum number of shares, the “Exchange Cap”) provided further that, the Exchange Cap will not apply if (a) the Company’s stockholders have approved the issuance of Common Shares pursuant to this Agreement in excess of the Exchange Cap in accordance with the applicable rules of the Principal Market or (b) solely to the extent that (and only for so long as) the Average Price (including any sales covered by an Advance Notice that has been delivered prior to the determination of whether this clause (b) applies) equals or exceeds the lower of (i) the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (as reflected on Nasdaq.com) immediately preceding the Effective Date; or (ii) the average Nasdaq Official Closing Price for the five Trading Days immediately preceding the Effective Date.

Commitment Fee Payment Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.04.

Commitment Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 12.04.

Commitment Period” shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date and expiring upon the date of termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 11.02.

Common Shares” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Company” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Company Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.02.

Condition Satisfaction Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

Daily Traded Amount” shall mean the daily trading volume of the Company’s Common Shares on the Principal Market during regular trading hours as reported by Bloomberg L.P.

Effective Date” shall mean the 6th Trading Day following the date of closing of the Business Combination.

Environmental Laws” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.

Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Exchange Cap” shall have the meaning set forth in Article I.

Excluded Day” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(d)(i).

Hazardous Materials” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.13.

 

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Indemnified Liabilities” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

Investor” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble of this Agreement.

Investor Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.01.

Market Price” shall mean an Option 1 Market Price or Option 2 Market Price, as applicable.

Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any event, occurrence or condition that has had or would reasonably be expected to have (i) a material adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement or the transactions contemplated herein, (ii) a material adverse effect on the operations, assets, business, earnings, properties, prospects, stockholder’s equity, results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or prevent or materially interfere with consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (iii) a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to perform in any material respect on a timely basis its obligations under this Agreement.

Material Outside Event” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.08.

Maximum Advance Amount” in respect of each Advance Notice means the greater of: (i) an amount equal to 100% of the average of the Daily Traded Amount of Common Shares on the Company’s Principal Market during the three consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding an Advance Notice, or (ii) 2 million Common Shares.

Minimum Acceptable Price” or “MAP” shall mean the minimum price notified by the Company to the Investor in each Advance Notice, if applicable.

OFAC” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.30.

Option 1 Market Price” shall mean the VWAP of the Common Shares during the Option 1 Pricing Period.

Option 2 Market Price” shall mean the lowest daily VWAP of the Common Shares during the Option 2 Pricing Period.

Option 1 Pricing Period” shall mean the period on the applicable Advance Notice Date with respect to an Advance Notice selecting an Option 1 Pricing Period commencing upon receipt by the Company of written confirmation (which may be by e-mail) of acceptance of such Advance Notice by the Investor, and which confirmation shall specify such commencement time, and ending on 4:00 p.m. New York City time on the applicable Advance Notice Date.

Option 2 Pricing Period” shall mean the three consecutive Trading Days commencing on the Advance Notice Date.

Ownership Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c)(i).

 

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Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, a trust or other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

Plan of Distribution” shall mean the section of a Registration Statement disclosing the plan of distribution of the Shares.

Pricing Period” shall mean the Option 1 Pricing Period or Option 2 Pricing Period, as applicable.

Principal Market” shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; provided however, that in the event the Company’s Common Shares are ever listed or traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or the NYSE American, then the “Principal Market” shall mean such other market or exchange on which the Company’s Common Shares are then listed or traded to the extent such other market or exchange is the principal trading market or exchange for the Common Shares.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus in the form included in a Registration Statement, as supplemented from time to time by any Prospectus Supplement, including the documents incorporated by reference therein.

Prospectus Supplement” shall mean any prospectus supplement to the Prospectus filed with the SEC from time to time pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act, including the documents incorporated by reference therein, including, without limitation, any prospectus supplement to be filed in accordance with Section 6.01 hereof.

Purchase Price” shall mean the price per Advance Share obtained by multiplying the Market Price by (i) 96% in respect of an Advance Notice with an Option 1 Pricing Period, and (ii) 97% in respect of an Advance Notice with an Option 2 Pricing Period.

Registrable Securities” shall mean (i) the Shares, and (ii) any securities issued or issuable with respect to any of the foregoing by way of exchange, stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization or otherwise.

Registration Limitation” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(c)(ii).

Registration Statement” shall mean a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-3 or on such other form promulgated by the SEC for which the Company then qualifies and which counsel for the Company shall deem appropriate, and which form shall be available for the registration of the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities under the Securities Act, which registration statement provides for the resale from time to time of the Shares as provided herein.

Regulation D” shall mean the provisions of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

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Sanctions” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.30.

Sanctioned Countries” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.30.

SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

SEC Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.05.

Securities Act” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals of this Agreement.

Settlement Document” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

Shares” shall mean the Commitment Shares and the Common Shares to be issued from time to time hereunder pursuant to an Advance.

Subsidiaries” shall mean any Person in which the Company, directly or indirectly, (x) owns a majority of the outstanding capital stock or holds a majority of the equity or similar interest of such Person or (y) controls or operates all or substantially all of the business, operations or administration of such Person, and the foregoing are collectively referred to herein as “Subsidiaries.”

Trading Day” shall mean any day during which the Principal Market shall be open for business.

Transaction Documents” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.02.

Volume Threshold” shall mean a number of Common Shares equal to the quotient of (a) the number of Advance Shares requested by the Company in an Advance Notice divided by (b) 0.3

VWAP” shall mean for any Trading Day, the daily volume weighted average price of the Common Shares for such Trading Day on the Principal Market during regular trading hours (or such other period in the case of an Option 1 Pricing Period) as reported by Bloomberg L.P through its “AQR” function. All such determinations shall be appropriately adjusted for any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination, recapitalization or other similar transaction during such period.

Article II. Advances

Section 2.01 Advances; Mechanics. As a condition to the effectiveness of this Agreement, on or before the completion of the Business Combination (and prior to the Effective Date), the legal entity that will be the surviving entity upon completion of the Business Combination, shall assume all benefits and obligations under this Agreement, all representations and warranties shall apply in respect of such entity and all references to the “Company” in this Agreement shall be the legal entity that will be the surviving entity upon completion of the Business Combination. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, during the Commitment Period, the Company, at its sole discretion, shall have the right, but not the obligation, to issue and sell to the Investor, and the Investor shall purchase from the Company, Advance Shares by the delivery to the Investor of Advance Notices on the following terms:

 

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  (a)

Advance Notice. At any time during the Commitment Period the Company may require the Investor to purchase Shares by delivering an Advance Notice to the Investor, subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Investor of the conditions set forth in Section 7.01, and in accordance with the following provisions:

 

  (i)

The Company shall, in its sole discretion, select the number of Advance Shares, not to exceed the Maximum Advance Amount, it desires to issue and sell to the Investor in each Advance Notice and the time it desires to deliver each Advance Notice, and the Pricing Period to be used, provided, however, if a Promissory Note is outstanding, then the Option 2 Pricing Period shall apply.

 

  (ii)

There shall be no mandatory minimum Advances and no non-usages fee for not utilizing the Commitment Amount or any part thereof.

 

  (b)

Date of Delivery of Advance Notice. Advance Notices shall be delivered in accordance with the instructions set forth on the bottom of Exhibit A attached hereto. An Advance Notice selecting an Option 1 Pricing Period shall only be delivered on a Trading Day and shall be deemed delivered on the day such notice is received by e-mail. An Advance Notice selecting an Option 2 Pricing Period shall be deemed delivered on (i) the day it is received by the Investor if such notice is received by e-mail at or before 8:30 a.m. New York City time (or at such later time if agreed to by the Investor in its sole discretion) in accordance with the instructions set forth on the bottom of Exhibit A attached hereto, or (ii) the immediately succeeding day if it is received by e-mail after 8:30 a.m. New York City time. Upon receipt of an Advance Notice, the Investor shall promptly (and, with respect to an Advance Notice selecting an Option 1 Pricing Period, in no event more than one-half hour after receipt) provide written confirmation (which may be by e-mail) of receipt of such Advance Notice, and which confirmation, in the case of an Advance Notice selecting an Option 1 Pricing Period, shall specify the commencement time of the Option 1 Pricing Period.

 

  (c)

Advance Limitations. Regardless of the number of Advance Shares requested by the Company in the Advance Notice, the final number of Shares to be issued and sold pursuant to an Advance Notice shall be reduced (if at all) in accordance with each of the following limitations:

 

  (i)

Ownership Limitation; Commitment Amount. At the request of the Company, the Investor shall inform the Company of the amount of shares the Investor beneficially owns. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Investor shall not be obligated to purchase or acquire, and shall not purchase or acquire, any Common Shares under this Agreement which, when aggregated with all other Common Shares

 

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  beneficially owned by the Investor and its affiliates (as calculated pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act and Rule 13d-3 promulgated thereunder), would result in the beneficial ownership by the Investor and its affiliates (on an aggregated basis) to exceed 4.99% of the outstanding voting power or number of Common Shares (the “Ownership Limitation”). Upon the written request of the Investor, the Company shall promptly (but no later than the next business day on which the transfer agent for the Common Shares is open for business) confirm orally or in writing to the Investor the number of Common Shares then outstanding. In connection with each Advance Notice delivered by the Company, any portion of the number of Advance Shares that would (i) cause the Investor to exceed the Ownership Limitation or (ii) cause the aggregate number of Shares issued and sold to the Investor hereunder to exceed the Commitment Amount shall automatically be withdrawn with no further action required by the Company, and such Advance Notice shall be deemed automatically modified to reduce the number of Advance Shares requested by an amount equal to such withdrawn portion; provided that in the event of any such automatic withdrawal and automatic modification, the Investor will promptly notify the Company of such event.

 

  (ii)

Registration Limitation and Exchange Cap. In no event shall an Advance exceed the amount registered under the Registration Statement then in effect (the “Registration Limitation”) or the Exchange Cap, to the extent applicable. In connection with each Advance Notice, any portion of an Advance that would exceed the Registration Limitation or the Exchange Cap shall automatically be withdrawn with no further action required by the Company and such Advance Notice shall be deemed automatically modified to reduce the aggregate amount of the requested Advance by an amount equal to such withdrawn portion in respect of each Advance Notice; provided that in the event of any such automatic withdrawal and automatic modification, Investor will promptly notify the Company of such event.

 

  (iii)

Volume Threshold. In connection with an Advance Notice where the Company selected an Option 1 Pricing Period, if the total number of Common Shares traded on the Principal Market during the applicable Option 1 Pricing Period is less than the Volume Threshold, then the number of Advance Shares issued and sold pursuant to such Advance Notice shall be reduced to the greater of (a) 30% of the trading volume of the Company’s Common Shares on the Principal Market during the Option 1 Pricing Period as reported by Bloomberg L.P., or (b) the number of Common Shares sold by the Investor during such Option 1 Pricing Period, but not to exceed the amount requested in the Advance Notice.

 

  (d)

Minimum Acceptable Price.

 

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  (i)

With respect to each Advance Notice selecting an Option 2 Pricing Period, the Company may notify the Investor of the MAP with respect to such Advance by indicating a MAP on such Advance Notice. If no MAP is specified in an Advance Notice, then no MAP shall be in effect in connection with such Advance. Each Trading Day during an Option 2 Pricing Period for which (A) with respect to each Advance Notice with a MAP, the VWAP of the Common Shares is below the MAP in effect with respect to such Advance Notice, or (B) there is no VWAP (each such day, an “Excluded Day”), shall result in an automatic reduction to the number of Advance Shares set forth in such Advance Notice by one-third (the resulting amount of each Advance being the “Adjusted Advance Amount”), and each Excluded Day shall be excluded from the Option 2 Pricing Period for purposes of determining the Market Price.

 

  (ii)

The total Advance Shares in respect of each Advance (after reductions have been made to arrive at the Adjusted Advance Amount, if any) shall be automatically increased by such number of Common Shares (the “Additional Shares”) equal to the number of Common Shares sold by the Investor on such Excluded Day, if any, and the price paid per share for each Additional Share shall be equal to the MAP in effect with respect to such Advance Notice multiplied by 97%, provided that this increase shall not cause the total Advance Shares to exceed the amount set forth in the original Advance Notice or any limitations set forth in Section 2.01(c).

 

  (e)

Unconditional Contract. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that upon the Investor’s receipt of a valid Advance Notice the parties shall be deemed to have entered into an unconditional contract binding on both parties for the purchase and sale of Advance Shares pursuant to such Advance Notice in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and subject to Applicable Laws and (ii) subject to Section 3.08, the Investor may sell Common Shares during the Pricing Period.

Section 2.02 Closings. The closing of each Advance and each sale and purchase of Advance Shares (each, a “Closing”) shall take place as soon as practicable on or after each Advance Date in accordance with the procedures set forth below. The parties acknowledge that the Purchase Price is not known at the time the Advance Notice is delivered (at which time the Investor is irrevocably bound) but shall be determined on each Closing based on the daily prices of the Common Shares that are the inputs to the determination of the Purchase Price as set forth further below. In connection with each Closing, the Company and the Investor shall fulfill each of its obligations as set forth below:

 

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  (a)

On each Advance Date, the Investor shall deliver to the Company a written document, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (each a “Settlement Document”), setting forth the final number of Shares to be purchased by the Investor (taking into account any adjustments pursuant to Section 2.01), the Market Price, the Purchase Price, the aggregate proceeds to be paid by the Investor to the Company, and a report by Bloomberg, L.P. indicating the VWAP for each of the Trading Days during the Pricing Period (or, if not reported on Bloomberg, L.P., another reporting service reasonably agreed to by the parties), in each case in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

  (b)

Promptly after receipt of the Settlement Document with respect to each Advance (and, in any event, not later than one Trading Day after such receipt), the Company will, or will cause its transfer agent to, electronically transfer such number of Advance Shares to be purchased by the Investor (as set forth in the Settlement Document) by crediting the Investor’s account or its designee’s account at the Depository Trust Company through its Deposit Withdrawal at Custodian System or by such other means of delivery as may be mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto, and transmit notification to the Investor that such share transfer has been requested. Promptly upon receipt of such notification, the Investor shall pay to the Company the aggregate purchase price of the Shares (as set forth in the Settlement Document) in cash in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Company in writing and transmit notification to the Company that such funds transfer has been requested. No fractional shares shall be issued, and any fractional amounts shall be rounded to the next higher whole number of shares. To facilitate the transfer of the Common Shares by the Investor, the Common Shares will not bear any restrictive legends so long as there is an effective Registration Statement covering the resale of such Common Shares (it being understood and agreed by the Investor that notwithstanding the lack of restrictive legends, the Investor may only sell such Common Shares pursuant to the Plan of Distribution set forth in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act (including any applicable prospectus delivery requirements) or pursuant to an available exemption).

 

  (c)

On or prior to the Advance Date, each of the Company and the Investor shall deliver to the other all documents, instruments and writings expressly required to be delivered by either of them pursuant to this Agreement in order to implement and effect the transactions contemplated herein.

 

  (d)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if on any day during the Pricing Period (i) the Company notifies Investor that a Material Outside Event has occurred, or (ii) the Company notifies the Investor of a Black Out Period, the parties agree that the pending Advance shall end and the final number of Advance Shares to be purchased by the Investor at the Closing for such Advance shall be equal to the number of Common Shares sold by the Investor during the applicable Pricing Period prior to the notification from the Company of a Material Outside Event or Black Out Period.

 

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Section 2.03 Hardship.

 

  (a)

In the event the Investor sells Common Shares after receipt of an Advance Notice and the Company fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Company agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Investor is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Investor harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Company and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default. It is accordingly agreed that the Investor shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to Applicable Laws and other rules of the Principal Market), without the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

 

  (b)

In the event the Company provides an Advance Notice and the Investor fails to perform its obligations as mandated in Section 2.02, the Investor agrees that in addition to and in no way limiting the rights and obligations set forth in Article V hereto and in addition to any other remedy to which the Company is entitled at law or in equity, including, without limitation, specific performance, it will hold the Company harmless against any loss, claim, damage, or expense (including reasonable legal fees and expenses), as incurred, arising out of or in connection with such default by the Investor and acknowledges that irreparable damage may occur in the event of any such default. It is accordingly agreed that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent such breaches of this Agreement and to specifically enforce (subject to the Securities Act and other rules of the Principal Market), without the posting of a bond or other security, the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

Section 2.04 Completion of Resale Pursuant to the Registration Statement. After the Investor has purchased the full Commitment Amount and has completed the subsequent resale of the full Commitment Amount pursuant to the Registration Statement, Investor will notify the Company in writing (which may be by e-mail) that all subsequent resales are completed and the Company will be under no further obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

Section 2.05 Pre-Advance Loans. Subject to the mutual consent of the parties, from time to time, the Company may request, and the Investor shall provide, a pre-advance loan in the principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000, pursuant to a promissory note to be issued by the Company, on terms and conditions to be agreed by the parties.

Article III. Representations and Warranties of Investor

The Investor represents and warrants to the Company, as of the date hereof, as of each Advance Notice Date and each Advance Date that:

Section 3.01 Organization and Authorization. The Investor is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the Cayman Islands and has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and to purchase or acquire Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. The decision to invest and the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Investor, the performance by the Investor of its obligations hereunder and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby have

 

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been duly authorized and require no further consent or authorization by the Investor or its sole member. The undersigned has the right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and all other instruments on behalf of the Investor or its shareholders. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Investor and, assuming the execution and delivery hereof and acceptance thereof by the Company, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Investor, enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms.

Section 3.02 Evaluation of Risks. The Investor has such knowledge and experience in financial, tax and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of, and bearing the economic risks entailed by, an investment in the Common Shares of the Company and of protecting its interests in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. The Investor acknowledges and agrees that its investment in the Company involves a high degree of risk, and that the Investor may lose all or a part of its investment.

Section 3.03 No Legal, Investment or Tax Advice from the Company. The Investor acknowledges that it had the opportunity to review this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement with its own legal counsel and investment and tax advisors. The Investor is relying solely on such counsel and advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of the Company’s representatives or agents for legal, tax, investment or other advice with respect to the Investor’s acquisition of Common Shares hereunder, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the laws of any jurisdiction, and the Investor acknowledges that the Investor may lose all or a part of its investment.

Section 3.04 Investment Purpose. The Investor is acquiring the Common Shares for its own account, for investment purposes and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof, in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws; provided, however, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does not agree, or make any representation or warranty, to hold any of the Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves the right to dispose of the Shares at any time in accordance with, or pursuant to, a Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Agreement or an applicable exemption under the Securities Act. The Investor does not presently have any agreement or understanding, directly or indirectly, with any Person to sell or distribute any of the Shares. The Investor acknowledges that it will be disclosed as an “underwriter” and a “selling stockholder” in each Registration Statement and in any Prospectus contained therein to the extent required by applicable law and to the extent the Prospectus is related to the resale of Registrable Securities.

Section 3.05 Accredited Investor. The Investor is an “Accredited Investor” as that term is defined in Rule 501(a)(3) of Regulation D.

Section 3.06 Information. The Investor and its advisors (and its counsel), if any, have been furnished with all materials relating to the business, finances and operations of the Company and information the Investor deemed material to making an informed investment decision which have been requested by the Investor. The Investor and its advisors (and its counsel), if any, have been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and its management and have received answers to such questions. Neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations

 

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conducted by such Investor or its advisors (and its counsel), if any, or its representatives shall modify, amend or affect the Investor’s right to rely on the Company’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement. Notwithstanding Section 3.02 and Section 3.03, the Investor acknowledges and agrees (i) that the Company has not made to the Investor, and the Investor acknowledges and agrees it has not relied upon, any representations and warranties of the Company, its employees or any third party other than the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement, (ii) the Investor understands that its investment involves a high degree of risk, and (iii) the Investor has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice, as it has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 3.07 Not an Affiliate. The Investor is not an officer, director or a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company or any “Affiliate” of the Company (as that term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act). During the Commitment Period, the Investor will not acquire for its own account any Common Shares or securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Shares, other than pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to any transaction entered into directly with the Company.

Section 3.08 No Prior Short Sales. At no time prior to the date of this Agreement has the Investor, its sole member, any of their respective officers, or any entity managed or controlled by the Investor or its sole member, engaged in or effected, in any manner whatsoever, directly or indirectly, for its own principal account, any (i) “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Shares or (ii) hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to the Common Shares that remains in effect as of the date of this Agreement.

Section 3.09 General Solicitation. Neither the Investor, nor any of its affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf, has engaged or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with any offer or sale of the Common Shares by the Investor.

Section 3.10 No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Investor of this Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and shall not (i) result in a violation of such Investor’s applicable organizational instruments, (ii) conflict with, constitute a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) under, or give rise to any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any material agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, indenture, note, bond, license, lease agreement, instrument or obligation to which the Investor is a party or is bound, or (iii) result in a violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or governmental agency applicable to the Investor or by which any of its properties or assets are bound or affected, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii), for such conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, acceleration, cancellations and violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, prohibit or otherwise interfere with, in any material respect, the ability of the Investor to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement.

 

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Section 3.11 Reliance on Exemptions. The Investor understands that the Shares are being offered and sold to it in reliance on specific exemptions from the registration requirements of U.S. federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying in part upon the truth and accuracy of, and the Investor’s compliance with, the representations, warranties, agreements, acknowledgments and understandings of the Investor set forth herein in order to determine the availability of such exemptions and the eligibility of the Investor to acquire the Shares.

Section 3.12 No Governmental Review. The Investor understands that no United States federal or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed on or made any recommendation or endorsement of the Shares or the fairness or suitability of the investment in the Shares nor have such authorities passes upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Shares.

Section 3.13 Resale of Shares. The Investor represents, warrants and covenants that it will resell such Shares only pursuant to a Registration Statement in which the resale of such Advance Shares is registered under the Securities Act, in a manner described under the caption “Plan of Distribution” in such Registration Statement, and in a manner in compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

Article IV. Representations and Warranties of the Company

Except as set forth in the SEC Documents, the Company represents and warrants to the Investor that, upon the closing of the Business Combination and each Advance Date (other than representations and warranties which address matters only as of a certain date, which shall be true and correct as written as of such certain date):

Section 4.01 Organization and Qualification. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is an entity duly organized and validly existing under the laws of their respective jurisdiction of organization, and has the requisite power and authority to own its properties and to carry on its business as now being conducted. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing (to the extent applicable) in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified or be in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.02 Authorization, Enforcement, Compliance with Other Instruments. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and to issue the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Common Shares) have been or (with respect to consummation) will be duly authorized by the Company’s board of directors and no further consent or authorization will be required by the Company, its board of directors or its shareholders. This Agreement and the other Transaction Documents to which the Company is a party have been (or, when executed and delivered, will be) duly executed

 

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and delivered by the Company and, assuming the execution and delivery thereof and acceptance by the Investor, constitute (or, when duly executed and delivered, will be) the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or other laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of applicable creditors’ rights and remedies and except as rights to indemnification and to contribution may be limited by federal or state securities law. “Transaction Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement and each of the other agreements and instruments entered into or delivered by any of the parties hereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, as may be amended from time to time.

Section 4.03 Authorization of the Shares. The Shares to be issued under this Agreement have been, or with respect to Shares to be purchased by the Investor pursuant to an Advance Notice, will be, when issued and delivered pursuant to the terms approved by the board of directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee thereof, or a duly authorized executive committee, against payment therefor as provided herein, duly and validly authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable, free and clear of any pledge, lien, encumbrance, security interest or other claim, including any statutory or contractual preemptive rights, resale rights, rights of first refusal or other similar rights, and will be registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Shares, when issued, will conform to the description thereof set forth in or incorporated into the Prospectus.

Section 4.04 No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance of the Transaction Documents by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Common Shares) will not (i) result in a violation of the articles of incorporation or other organizational documents of the Company or its Subsidiaries (with respect to consummation, as the same may be amended prior to the date on which any of the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated), (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default) under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or its Subsidiaries is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree (including federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries or by which any property or asset of the Company or its Subsidiaries is bound or affected except, in the case of clause (ii) or (iii) above, to the extent such violations that would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.05 SEC Documents; Financial Statements. The Company has timely filed (giving effect to permissible extensions in accordance with Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act) all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed by it with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act for the two years preceding the date hereof (or such shorter period as the Company was required by law or regulation to file such material) (all of the foregoing filed within two years preceding the date hereof or amended after the date hereof, or filed after the date of such representation, and all exhibits included therein and financial statements and schedules thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein, and all registration statements filed by the Company under the Securities Act (including any Registration Statements filed hereunder),

 

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being hereinafter referred to as the “SEC Documents”). The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov, true and complete copies of the SEC Documents, as applicable. As of their respective dates (or, with respect to any filing that has been amended or superseded, the date of such amendment or superseding filing), the SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to the SEC Documents, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

Section 4.06 Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents, together with the related notes and schedules, present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the dates indicated and the consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity of the Company for the periods specified and have been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act and Exchange Act and in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis (except for (i) such adjustments to accounting standards and practices as are noted therein, (ii) in the case of unaudited interim financial statements, to the extent such financial statements may not include footnotes required by GAAP or may be condensed or summary statements and (iii) such adjustments which are not material, either individually or in the aggregate) during the periods involved; the other financial and statistical data with respect to the Company and the Subsidiaries contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents are accurately and fairly presented and prepared on a basis consistent with the financial statements and books and records of the Company; there are no financial statements (historical or pro forma) that are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents that are not included or incorporated by reference as required; the Company and the Subsidiaries do not have any material liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent (including any off-balance sheet obligations), not described in the SEC Documents (excluding the exhibits thereto); and all disclosures contained or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, to the extent applicable. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the SEC Documents fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and has been prepared in accordance with the SEC’s rules and guidelines applicable thereto.

Section 4.07 Registration Statement and Prospectus. Each Registration Statement and the offer and sale of Shares as contemplated hereby will meet the requirements of Rule 415 under the Securities Act and comply in all material respects with said Rule. Any statutes, regulations, contracts or other documents that are required to be described in a Registration Statement or a Prospectus, or to be filed as exhibits to a Registration Statement have been so described or filed. Copies of each Registration Statement, any Prospectus, and any such amendments or supplements thereto and all documents incorporated by reference therein that were filed with the Commission

 

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on or prior to the date of this Agreement have been delivered, or are available through EDGAR, to the Investor and its counsel. The Company has not distributed and, prior to the later to occur of each Settlement Date and completion of the distribution of the Shares, will not distribute any offering material in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares other than a Registration Statement and the Prospectus to which the Investor has consented.

Section 4.08 No Misstatement or Omission. Each Registration Statement, when it became or becomes effective, and any Prospectus, on the date of such Prospectus or amendment or supplement, conformed and will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. At each Advance Date, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, each as of such date, will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act. Each Registration Statement, when it became or becomes effective, did not, and will not, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. Each Prospectus did not, or will not, include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The documents incorporated by reference in a Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement did not, and any further documents filed and incorporated by reference therein will not, when filed with the Commission, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated in such document or necessary to make the statements in such document, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The foregoing shall not apply to statements in, or omissions from, any such document made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished to the Company by the Investor specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

Section 4.09 Conformity with Securities Act and Exchange Act. Each Registration Statement, each Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and the documents incorporated by reference in each Registration Statement, Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents were or are filed with the SEC under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or became or become effective under the Securities Act, as the case may be, conformed or will conform in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, as applicable.

Section 4.10 Equity Capitalization. On the date of the closing of the Business Combination, the authorized share capital of the Company shall be provided to the Investor as a supplement hereto prior to the completion of the Effective Date. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Common Shares will be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and will be listed on a Principal Market under the trading symbol “AAGR.” The Company has taken no action designed to, or likely to have the effect of, terminating the registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act or delisting the Common Shares from the Principal Market, nor has the Company received any notification that the Commission or the Principal Market is contemplating terminating such registration or listing. To the Company’s knowledge, it will be in compliance with all applicable listing requirements of the Principal Market upon the closing of the Business Combination.

 

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Section 4.11 Intellectual Property Rights. The Company and its Subsidiaries own or possess adequate rights or licenses to use all material trademarks, trade names, service marks, service mark registrations, service names, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, approvals, governmental authorizations, trade secrets and rights, if any, necessary to conduct their respective businesses as now conducted, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its Subsidiaries have not received written notice of any infringement by the Company or its Subsidiaries of trademark, trade name rights, patents, patent rights, copyrights, inventions, licenses, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, or trade secrets, except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, there is no claim, action or proceeding being made or brought against, or to the Company’s knowledge, being threatened against the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding trademark, trade name, patents, patent rights, invention, copyright, license, service names, service marks, service mark registrations, trade secret or other infringement except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.12 Employee Relations. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is involved in any labor dispute nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, is any such dispute threatened, in each case which is reasonably likely to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.13 Environmental Laws. To the Company’s knowledge, the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) have not received written notice alleging any failure to comply in all material respects with all Environmental Laws (as defined below), (ii) have received all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses and (iii) have not received written notice alleging any failure to comply with all terms and conditions of any such permit, license or approval where, in each of the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the failure to so comply would be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. The term “Environmental Laws” means all applicable federal, state and local laws relating to pollution or protection of human health or the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata), including, without limitation, laws relating to emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, or toxic or hazardous substances or wastes (collectively, “Hazardous Materials”) into the environment, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials, as well as all authorizations, codes, decrees, demands or demand letters, injunctions, judgments, licenses, notices or notice letters, orders, permits, plans or regulations issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder.

Section 4.14 Title. Except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company (or its Subsidiaries) has indefeasible fee simple or leasehold title to its properties and material assets owned by it, free and clear of any pledge, lien, security interest, encumbrance, claim or equitable interest other than such as are not material to the business of the Company. Any real property and facilities held under lease by the Company and its Subsidiaries are held by them under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such property and buildings by the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 4.15 Insurance. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are insured by insurers of recognized financial responsibility against such losses and risks and in such amounts as management of the Company believes to be prudent and customary in the businesses in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged. The Company has no reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.16 Regulatory Permits. Except as would not cause a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries possess all material certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities necessary to own their respective businesses, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary has received any written notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authorization or permits.

Section 4.17 Internal Accounting Controls. The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences, and management is not aware of any material weaknesses that are not disclosed in the SEC Documents as and when required.

Section 4.18 Absence of Litigation. There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or by any court, public board, government agency, self-regulatory organization or body pending against or affecting the Company, the Common Shares or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries, wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.19 Subsidiaries. The Company does not presently own or control, directly or indirectly, any interest in any other corporation, partnership, association or other business entity.

Section 4.20 Tax Status. Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) has timely made or filed all foreign, federal and state income and all other tax returns, reports and declarations required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject, (ii) has timely paid all taxes and other governmental assessments and charges that are material in amount, shown or determined to be due on such returns, reports and declarations, except those being contested in good faith and (iii) has set aside on its books provision reasonably adequate for the payment of all taxes for periods subsequent to the periods to which such returns, reports or declarations apply. The Company has not received written notification of any unpaid taxes in any material amount claimed to be due by the taxing authority of any jurisdiction, and the officers of the Company and its Subsidiaries know of no basis for any such claim where failure to pay would cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 4.21 Certain Transactions. Except as not required to be disclosed pursuant to Applicable Laws, none of the officers or directors of the Company is presently a party to any transaction with the Company (other than for services as employees, officers and directors), including any contract, agreement or other arrangement providing for the furnishing of services to or by, providing for rental of real or personal property to or from, or otherwise requiring payments to or from any officer or director, or to the knowledge of the Company, any corporation, partnership, trust or other entity in which any officer or director has a substantial interest or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

Section 4.22 Rights of First Refusal. The Company is not obligated to offer the Common Shares offered hereunder on a right of first refusal basis to any third parties including, but not limited to, current or former shareholders of the Company, underwriters, brokers, agents or other third parties.

Section 4.23 Dilution. The Company is aware and acknowledges that issuance of Common Shares hereunder could cause dilution to existing shareholders and could significantly increase the outstanding number of Common Shares.

Section 4.24 Acknowledgment Regarding Investors Purchase of Shares. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Investor is acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length investor with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder. The Company further acknowledges that the Investor is not acting as a financial advisor or fiduciary of the Company (or in any similar capacity) with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder and any advice given by the Investor or any of its representatives or agents in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereunder is merely incidental to the Investor’s purchase of the Shares hereunder. The Company is aware and acknowledges that it shall not be able to request Advances under this Agreement if a Registration Statement is not effective or if any issuances of Common Shares pursuant to any Advances would violate any rules of the Principal Market. The Company acknowledges and agrees that it is capable of evaluating and understanding, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

Section 4.25 Finder’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of the Subsidiaries has incurred any liability for any finder’s fees, brokerage commissions or similar payments in connection with the transactions herein contemplated.

Section 4.26 Relationship of the Parties. Neither the Company, nor any of its Subsidiaries, affiliates, or, to the Company’s knowledge, any person acting on its or their behalf is a client or customer of the Investor or any of its affiliates and neither the Investor nor any of its affiliates has provided, or will provide, any services to the Company or any of its affiliates, its subsidiaries, or any person acting on its or their behalf. The Investor’s relationship to Company is solely as investor as provided for in the Transaction Documents.

Section 4.27

 

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Section 4.28 Compliance with Laws. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with Applicable Laws; the Company has not received a notice of non-compliance, nor knows of, nor has reasonable grounds to know of, any facts that any director, officer, or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any agent, affiliate or other person acting on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary has, has not complied with Applicable Laws, or could give rise to a notice of non-compliance with Applicable Laws, and is not aware of any pending change or contemplated change to any applicable law or regulation or governmental position; in each case that would have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.29 Sanctions Matters. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or controlled affiliate of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any director or officer of any Subsidiary, is a Person that is, or is owned or controlled by a Person that is (i) the subject of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control (“OFAC”), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authorities, including, without limitation, designation on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List or OFAC’s Foreign Sanctions Evaders List or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), or (ii) located, organized or resident in a country or territory that is the subject of Sanctions that broadly prohibit dealings with that country or territory (including, without limitation, the Crimea region, the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic in Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Sudan and Syria (the “Sanctioned Countries”)). Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds from the sale of Advance Shares, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person (a) for the purpose of funding or facilitating any activities or business of or with any Person or in any country or territory that, at the time of such funding or facilitation, is the subject of Sanctions or is a Sanctioned Country, or (b) in any other manner that will result in a violation of Sanctions or Applicable Laws by any Person (including any Person participating in the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor or otherwise). For the past five years, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has engaged in, and is now not engaged in, any dealings or transactions with any Person, or in any country or territory, that at the time of the dealing or transaction is or was the subject of Sanctions or was a Sanctioned Country. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer or controlled affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has ever had funds blocked by a United States bank or financial institution, temporarily or otherwise, as a result of OFAC concerns.

 

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Article V. Indemnification

The Investor and the Company represent to the other the following with respect to itself:

Section 5.01 Indemnification by the Company. In consideration of the Investor’s execution and delivery of this Agreement and acquiring the Shares hereunder, and in addition to all of the Company’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Company shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Investor and its investment manager, Yorkville Advisors Global, LP, and each of their respective officers, directors, managers, members, partners, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and each person who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Investor Indemnitees”) from and against any and all actions, causes of action, suits, claims, losses, costs, penalties, fees, liabilities and damages, and reasonable and documented expenses in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any such Investor Indemnitee is a party to the action for which indemnification hereunder is sought), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and disbursements (the “Indemnified Liabilities”), incurred by the Investor Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any related prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor specifically for inclusion therein; (b) any material misrepresentation or breach of any material representation or material warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby; or (c) any material breach of any material covenant, material agreement or material obligation of the Company contained in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Company may be unenforceable under Applicable Law, the Company shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under Applicable Law.

Section 5.02 Indemnification by the Investor. In consideration of the Company’s execution and delivery of this Agreement, and in addition to all of the Investor’s other obligations under this Agreement, the Investor shall defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless the Company and all of its officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents (including, without limitation, those retained in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) and each person who controls the Investor within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the “Company Indemnitees”) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities incurred by the Company Indemnitees or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the registration of the Shares as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any related prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Investor will only be liable for written information relating to the Investor furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Investor specifically for inclusion in the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity, and will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue

 

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statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Investor by or on behalf of the Company specifically for inclusion therein; (b) any misrepresentation or breach of any representation or warranty made by the Investor in this Agreement or any instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor; or (c) any breach of any covenant, agreement or obligation of the Investor contained in this Agreement or any other certificate, instrument or document contemplated hereby or thereby executed by the Investor. To the extent that the foregoing undertaking by the Investor may be unenforceable under Applicable Laws, the Investor shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified Liabilities, which is permissible under Applicable Laws.

Section 5.03 Notice of Claim. Promptly after receipt by an Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including any governmental action or proceeding) involving an Indemnified Liability, such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, as applicable, shall, if a claim for an Indemnified Liability in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Article V, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof; but the failure to so notify the indemnifying party will not relieve it of liability under this Article V except to the extent the indemnifying party is prejudiced by such failure. The indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume control of the defense thereof with counsel mutually reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party and the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, as the case may be; provided, however, that an Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee shall have the right to retain its own counsel with the actual and reasonable third party fees and expenses of not more than one counsel for such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee to be paid by the indemnifying party, if, in the reasonable opinion of counsel retained by the indemnifying party, the representation by such counsel of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee and the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee shall cooperate fully with the indemnifying party in connection with any negotiation or defense of any such action or claim by the indemnifying party and shall furnish to the indemnifying party all information reasonably available to the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee which relates to such action or claim. The indemnifying party shall keep the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee reasonably apprised as to the status of the defense or any settlement negotiations with respect thereto. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any action, claim or proceeding effected without its prior written consent, provided, however, that the indemnifying party shall not unreasonably withhold, delay or condition its consent. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement or other compromise which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Following indemnification as provided for hereunder, the indemnifying party shall be subrogated to all rights of the Investor Indemnitee or Company Indemnitee with respect to all third parties, firms or corporations relating to the matter for which indemnification has been made. The indemnification required by this Article V shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received and payment therefor is due.

 

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Section 5.04 Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Article V are not exclusive and shall not limit any right or remedy which may be available to any indemnified person at law or equity. The obligations of the parties to indemnify or make contribution under this Article V shall survive expiration or termination of this Agreement.

Section 5.05 Limitation of liability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no party shall be entitled to recover from the other party for punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential damages.

Article VI.

Covenants

The Company covenants with the Investor, and the Investor covenants with the Company, as follows, which covenants of one party are for the benefit of the other party, during the Commitment Period:

Section 6.01 Registration Statement.

 

  (a)

Filing of a Registration Statement. The Company shall prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement, or multiple Registration Statements for the resale by the Investor of the Registrable Securities. The Company in its sole discretion may choose when to file such Registration Statements; provided, however, that the Company shall not have the ability to request any Advances until the effectiveness of a Registration Statement.

 

  (b)

Maintaining a Registration Statement. The Company shall maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement that has been declared effective at all times during the Commitment Period, provided, however, that if the Company has received notification pursuant to Section 2.04 that the Investor has completed resales pursuant to the Registration Statement for the full Commitment Amount, then the Company shall be under no further obligation to maintain the effectiveness of the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall ensure that, when filed, each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) and the prospectus (including, without limitation, all amendments and supplements thereto) used in connection with such Registration Statement shall not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of prospectuses, in the light of the circumstances in which they were made) not misleading. During the Commitment Period, the Company shall notify the Investor promptly if (i) the Registration Statement shall cease to be effective under the Securities Act, (ii) the Common Shares shall cease to be authorized for listing on the Principal Market, (iii) the Common Shares cease to be registered under Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act or (iv) the Company fails to file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act.

 

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  (c)

Filing Procedures. The Company shall (A) permit counsel to the Investor an opportunity to review and comment upon (i) each Registration Statement at least three (3) Trading Days prior to its filing with the SEC and (ii) all amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement (including, without limitation, the Prospectus contained therein) (except for Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and any similar or successor reports or Prospectus Supplements the contents of which is limited to that set forth in such reports) within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC, and (B) shall reasonably consider any comments of the Investor and its counsel on any such Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto or to any Prospectus contained therein. The Company shall promptly furnish to the Investor, without charge, (i) electronic copies of any correspondence from the SEC or the Staff to the Company or its representatives relating to each Registration Statement (which correspondence shall be redacted to exclude any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries), (ii) after the same is prepared and filed with the SEC, one (1) electronic copy of each Registration Statement and any amendment(s) and supplement(s) thereto, including, without limitation, financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated therein by reference, if requested by the Investor, and all exhibits and (iii) upon the effectiveness of each Registration Statement, one (1) electronic copy of the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement and all amendments and supplements thereto; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to furnish any document to the extent such document is available on EDGAR).

 

  (d)

Amendments and Other Filings. The Company shall (i) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to a Registration Statement and the related prospectus used in connection with such Registration Statement, which prospectus is to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement effective at all times during the Commitment Period, and prepare and file with the SEC such additional Registration Statements in order to register for resale under the Securities Act all of the Registrable Securities; (ii) cause the related prospectus to be amended or supplemented by any required prospectus supplement (subject to the terms of this Agreement), and as so supplemented or amended to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act; (iii) provide the Investor copies of all correspondence from and to the SEC relating to a Registration Statement (provided that the Company may excise any information contained therein which would constitute material, non-public information, and (iv) comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the Registration Statement. In the case of amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement which are required to be filed pursuant to this Agreement (including pursuant to this Section 6.01(d) by reason of the Company’s filing a report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, or Form 8-K or any analogous report under the Exchange Act, the Company shall file such report in a prospectus supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act to incorporate such filing into the Registration Statement, if applicable, or shall file such amendments or supplements with the SEC either on the day on which the Exchange Act report is filed which created the requirement for the Company to amend or supplement the Registration Statement, if feasible, or otherwise promptly thereafter.

 

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  (e)

Blue-Sky. The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, if required by Applicable Laws, (i) register and qualify the Common Shares covered by a Registration Statement under such other securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Investor reasonably requests, (ii) prepare and file in those jurisdictions, such amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registrations and qualifications as may be necessary to maintain the effectiveness thereof during the Commitment Period, (iii) take such other actions as may be necessary to maintain such registrations and qualifications in effect at all times during the Commitment Period, and (iv) take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to qualify the Common Shares for sale in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to (w) make any change to its articles of incorporation or bylaws or any other organizational documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (x) qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for this Section 6.01, (y) subject itself to general taxation in any such jurisdiction, or (z) file a general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction. The Company shall promptly notify the Investor of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the registration or qualification of any of the Common Shares for sale under the securities or “blue sky” laws of any jurisdiction in the United States or its receipt of actual notice of the initiation or threat of any proceeding for such purpose.

Section 6.02 Suspension of Registration Statement.

 

  (a)

Establishment of a Black Out Period. During the Commitment Period, the Company from time to time may suspend the use of the Registration Statement by written notice to the Investor in the event that the Company determines in its sole discretion in good faith that such suspension is necessary to (A) delay the disclosure of material, non-public information concerning the Company, the disclosure of which at the time is not, in the good faith opinion of the Company, in the best interests of the Company or (B) amend or supplement the Registration Statement or Prospectus so that such Registration Statement or Prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (a “Black Out Period”).

 

  (b)

No Sales by Investor During the Black Out Period. During such Black Out Period, the Investor agrees not to sell any Common Shares of the Company pursuant to such Registration Statement, but may sell shares pursuant to an exemption from registration, if available, subject to the Investor’s compliance with Applicable Laws.

 

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  (c)

Limitations on the Black Out Period. The Company shall not impose any Black Out Period that is longer than 30 days or in a manner that is more restrictive (including, without limitation, as to duration) than the comparable restrictions that the Company may impose on transfers of the Company’s equity securities by its directors and senior executive officers. In addition, the Company shall not deliver any Advance Notice during any Black Out Period. If the public announcement of such material, non-public information is made during a Black Out Period, the Black Out Period shall terminate immediately after such announcement, and the Company shall immediately notify the Investor of the termination of the Black Out Period.

Section 6.03 Listing of Common Shares. As of each Advance Date, the Shares to be sold by the Company from time to time hereunder will have been registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and approved for listing on the Principal Market, subject to official notice of issuance.

Section 6.04 Opinion of Counsel. Prior to the date of the delivery by the Company of the first Advance Notice, the Investor shall have received an opinion letter from counsel to the Company in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Investor.

Section 6.05 Exchange Act Registration. The Company will file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act and will not take any action or file any document (whether or not permitted by Exchange Act or the rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend its reporting and filing obligations under the Exchange Act.

Section 6.06 Transfer Agent Instructions. During the Commitment Period (or such shorter time as permitted by Section [2.04] of this Agreement) and subject to Applicable Laws, the Company shall cause (including, if necessary, by causing legal counsel for the Company to deliver an opinion) the transfer agent for the Common Shares to remove restrictive legends from Common Shares purchased by the Investor pursuant to this Agreement, provided that counsel for the Company shall have been furnished with such documents as they may require for the purpose of enabling them to render the opinions or make the statements requested by the transfer agent, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the covenants, obligations or conditions, contained herein.

Section 6.07 Corporate Existence. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to preserve and continue the corporate existence of the Company during the Commitment Period.

Section 6.08 Notice of Certain Events Affecting Registration; Suspension of Right to Make an Advance. During the Commitment Period, the Company will promptly notify the Investor, and confirm in writing, upon its becoming aware of the occurrence of any of the following events in respect of a Registration Statement or related Prospectus relating to an offering of the Common Shares (in each of which cases the information provided to Investor will be kept strictly confidential): (i) except for requests made in connection with SEC investigations disclosed in the SEC Documents, receipt of any request for additional information by the SEC or any other Federal or state governmental authority during the period of effectiveness of the Registration Statement or

 

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any request for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus; (ii) the issuance by the SEC or any other Federal governmental authority of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; (iii) receipt of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Common Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for such purpose; (iv) the happening of any event that makes any statement made in the Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, related Prospectus or documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that in the case of the related Prospectus, it will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or of the necessity to amend the Registration Statement or supplement a related Prospectus to comply with the Securities Act or any other law (and the Company will promptly make available to the Investor any such supplement or amendment to the related Prospectus); (v) the Company’s reasonable determination that a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement would be required under Applicable Law; (vi) the Common Shares shall cease to be authorized for listing on the Principal Market; or (vii) the Company fails to file in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of it as a reporting company under the Exchange Act. The Company shall not deliver to the Investor any Advance Notice, and the Company shall not sell any Shares pursuant to any pending Advance Notice (other than as required pursuant to Section 2.02(d)), during the continuation of any of the foregoing events (each of the events described in the immediately preceding clauses (i) through (vii), inclusive, a “Material Outside Event”).

Section 6.09 Consolidation. If an Advance Notice has been delivered to the Investor, then the Company shall not effect any consolidation of the Company with or into, or a transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to another entity before the transaction contemplated in such Advance Notice has been closed in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, and all Shares in connection with such Advance have been received by the Investor.

Section 6.10 Issuance of the Company’s Common Shares. The issuance and sale of the Common Shares hereunder shall be made in accordance with the provisions and requirements of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities law.

Section 6.11 Expenses. The Company, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereunder are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including but not limited to (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement and each amendment and supplement thereto, of each prospectus and of each amendment and supplement thereto; (ii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of any Shares issued pursuant to this Agreement, (iii) all fees and disbursements of the Company’s counsel, accountants and other advisors (but not, for the avoidance doubt, the fees and disbursements of Investor’s counsel, accountants and other advisors), (iv) the qualification of the

 

- 28 -


Shares under securities laws in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including filing fees in connection therewith, (v) the printing and delivery of copies of any prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto requested by the Investor, (vi) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the listing or qualification of the Shares for trading on the Principal Market, or (vii) filing fees of the SEC and the Principal Market.

Section 6.12 Current Report. The Company shall, not later than 5:30 p.m., New York City time, on the fourth business day after the date of this Agreement, file with the SEC a Current Report on Form 8-K disclosing the execution of this Agreement by the Company and the Investor (including any exhibits thereto, the “Current Report”). The Company shall provide the Investor and its legal counsel a reasonable opportunity to comment on any description of this Agreement contained in a draft of the Current Report, including any exhibit to be filed related thereto, as applicable, prior to filing the Current Report with the SEC and shall give due consideration to all such comments. From and after the filing of the Current Report with the SEC, the Company shall have publicly disclosed all material, non-public information delivered to the Investor (or the Investor’s representatives or agents) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives (if any) in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents. The Company shall not, and the Company shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and each of its and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents not to, provide the Investor with any material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of its Subsidiaries without the express prior written consent of the Investor (which may be granted or withheld in the Investor’s sole discretion); it being understood that the mere notification of Investor required pursuant to Section 6.08(iv) hereof shall not in and of itself be deemed to be material, non-public information. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company expressly agrees that it shall publicly disclose in the Current Report or otherwise make publicly available any information communicated to the Investor by or, to the knowledge of the Company, on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated herein, which, following the date hereof would, if not so disclosed, constitute material, non-public information regarding the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Company understands and confirms that the Investor will rely on the foregoing representations in effecting resales of Shares under a Registration Statement.

Section 6.13 Advance Notice Limitation. The Company shall not deliver an Advance Notice if a stockholder meeting or corporate action date, or the record date for any stockholder meeting or any corporate action, would fall during the period beginning two (2) Trading Days prior to the date of delivery of such Advance Notice and ending two (2) Trading Days following the Closing of such Advance.

Section 6.14 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Company to Investor shall be used by the Company in the manner as will be set forth in the Prospectus included in any Registration Statement (and any post-effective amendment thereto) and any Prospectus Supplement thereto filed pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 6.15 Compliance with Laws. The Company shall comply in all material respects with all Applicable Laws.

 

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Section 6.16 Market Activities. Neither the Company, nor any Subsidiary, nor any of their respective officers, directors or controlling persons will, directly or indirectly, (i) take any action designed to cause or result in, or that constitutes or might reasonably be expected to constitute or result, in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of Common Shares or (ii) sell, bid for, or purchase Common Shares in violation of Regulation M, or pay anyone any compensation for soliciting purchases of the Shares.

Section 6.17 Trading Information. Upon the Company’s request, the Investor agrees to provide the Company with trading reports setting forth the number and average sales prices of shares of Common Stock sold by the Investor during the prior trading week.

Section 6.18 Selling Restrictions. (i) Except as expressly set forth below, the Investor covenants that from and after the date hereof through and including the Trading Day next following the expiration or termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 11.01 (the “Restricted Period”), none of the Investor any of its officers, or any entity managed or controlled by the Investor (collectively, the “Restricted Persons” and each of the foregoing is referred to herein as a “Restricted Person”) shall, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any “short sale” (as such term is defined in Rule 200 of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act) of the Common Shares or (ii) engage in any hedging transaction, which establishes a net short position with respect to any securities of the Company (including the Common Shares), with respect to each of clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, either for its own principal account or for the principal account of any other Restricted Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that nothing contained herein shall (without implication that the contrary would otherwise be true) prohibit any Restricted Person during the Restricted Period from: (1) selling “long” (as defined under Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO) the Shares; or (2) selling a number of Common Shares equal to the number of Advance Shares that such Restricted Person is unconditionally obligated to purchase under a pending Advance Notice but has not yet received from the Company or the transfer agent pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 6.19 Assignment. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations of the parties hereto may be assigned to any other Person.

Article VII.

Conditions for Delivery of Advance Notice

Section 7.01 Conditions Precedent to the Right of the Company to Deliver an Advance Notice. The right of the Company to deliver an Advance Notice and the obligations of the Investor hereunder with respect to an Advance are subject to the satisfaction or waiver, on each Advance Notice Date (a “Condition Satisfaction Date”), of each of the following conditions:

 

  (a)

Accuracy of the Companys Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects.

 

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  (b)

Registration of the Common Shares with the SEC. There is an effective Registration Statement pursuant to which the Investor is permitted to utilize the prospectus thereunder to resell all of the Common Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice.

 

  (c)

Authority. The Company shall have obtained all permits and qualifications required by any applicable state for the offer and sale of all the Common Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice, or shall have the availability of exemptions therefrom. The sale and issuance of such Common Shares shall be legally permitted by all laws and regulations to which the Company is subject.

 

  (d)

No Material Outside Event. No Material Outside Event shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

  (e)

Performance by the Company. The Company shall have performed, satisfied and complied in all material respects with all covenants, agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed, satisfied or complied with by the Company at or prior to the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.

 

  (f)

No Injunction. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order, decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction that prohibits or directly, materially and adversely affects any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

  (g)

No Suspension of Trading in or Delisting of Common Shares. The Common Shares are quoted for trading on the Principal Market and all of the Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice will be listed or quoted for trading on the Principal Market. The issuance of Common Shares with respect to the applicable Advance Notice will not violate the shareholder approval requirements of the Principal Market. The Company shall not have received any written notice that is then still pending threatening the continued quotation of the Common Shares on the Principal Market.

 

  (h)

Authorized. There shall be a sufficient number of authorized but unissued and otherwise unreserved Common Shares for the issuance of all of the Shares issuable pursuant to such Advance Notice.

 

  (i)

Executed Advance Notice. The representations contained in the applicable Advance Notice shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the applicable Condition Satisfaction Date.

 

  (j)

Consecutive Advance Notices. Except with respect to the first Advance Notice, the Company shall have delivered all Shares relating to all prior Advances.

 

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Article VIII.

Non Exclusive Agreement

Notwithstanding anything contained herein, this Agreement and the rights awarded to the Investor hereunder are non-exclusive, and the Company may, at any time throughout the term of this Agreement and thereafter, issue and allot, or undertake to issue and allot, any shares and/or securities and/or convertible notes, bonds, debentures, options to acquire shares or other securities and/or other facilities which may be converted into or replaced by Common Shares or other securities of the Company, and to extend, renew and/or recycle any bonds and/or debentures, and/or grant any rights with respect to its existing and/or future share capital.

Article IX.

Choice of Law/Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of conflict of laws. The parties further agree that any action between them shall be heard in New York County, New York, and expressly consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the Supreme Court of New York, sitting in New York County, New York and the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, sitting in New York, New York, for the adjudication of any civil action asserted pursuant to this Agreement.

Article X. Termination

Section 10.01 Termination.

 

  (a)

Unless earlier terminated as provided hereunder, this Agreement shall terminate automatically on the earliest of (i) the first day of the month next following the 36-month anniversary of the Effective Date, (ii) the date on which the Investor shall have made payment of Advances pursuant to this Agreement for Common Shares equal to the Commitment Amount, (iii) the termination of the Business Combination Agreement.

 

  (b)

The Company may terminate this Agreement effective upon five Trading Days’ prior written notice to the Investor; provided that (i) there are no outstanding Advance Notices, the Common Shares under which have yet to be issued, and (ii) the Company has paid all amounts owed to the Investor pursuant to this Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated at any time by the mutual written consent of the parties, effective as of the date of such mutual written consent unless otherwise provided in such written consent.

 

  (c)

Nothing in this Section 11.01 shall be deemed to release the Company or the Investor from any liability for any breach under this Agreement, or to impair the rights of the Company and the Investor to compel specific performance by the other party of its obligations under this Agreement. Section 12.06 and the indemnification provisions contained in Article V shall survive termination hereunder.

 

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  (d)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no obligation, including the obligation to issue to the Investor the Commitment Shares, shall arise until the consummation of the Business Combination. If the Business Combination Agreement is terminated, other than in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, then this Agreement shall be terminated and of no further effect, without any liability of any party hereunder.

Article XI. Notices

Other than with respect to Advance Notices, which must be in writing and will be deemed delivered on the day set forth in Section 2.01(b), any notices, consents, waivers, or other communications required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and will be deemed to have been delivered (i) upon receipt, when delivered personally; (ii) upon receipt, when sent by e-mail if sent on a Trading Day, or, if not sent on a Trading Day, on the immediately following Trading Day; (iii) five (5) calendar days after being sent by U.S. certified mail, return receipt requested, (iv) one (1) calendar day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, in each case properly addressed to the party to receive the same. The addresses for such communications (except for Advance Notices which shall be delivered in accordance with Exhibit A hereof) shall be:

 

If to the Company prior to the consummation of the Business Combination, to:    10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II
   Attention: Hans Thomas
  

Telephone: (212) 257-0069

Email: hans@10xcapital.com

With a Copy (which shall not

constitute notice or delivery of process) to:

  

Latham & Watkins (London) LLP

99 Bishopsgate

London, EC2M 3XF

United Kingdom

Attention:         J. David Stewart

   Telephone:       +44.20.7710.3098
   Email:               j.david.stewart@lw.com
If to the Company following the consummation of the Business Combination, to:    African Agriculture, Inc.
   445 Park Avenue, Ninth Floor
   New York, NY 1022
  

Attention:        Alan Kessler

  

Telephone:      (212) 745-1164

  

Email:               ak@africanagriculture.com

 

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With a Copy (which shall not

constitute notice or delivery of process) to:

   Morrison Cohen LLP
   909 Third Avenue
   27th Floor
   New York, NY 10022
  

Attention:        Jack Levy

        Anthony Saur

  

Telephone:      (212) 735-8764

        (212) 735-8834

  

Email: jlevy@morrisoncohen.com

asaur@morrisoncohen.com

If to the Investor(s):    YA II PN, Ltd.
   1012 Springfield Avenue
   Mountainside, NJ 07092
   Attention:       Mark Angelo
  

       Portfolio Manager

   Telephone:     (201) 985-8300
   Email: mangelo@yorkvilleadvisors.com

With a Copy (which shall not

constitute notice or delivery of process) to:

  

David Fine, Esq.

1012 Springfield Avenue

Mountainside, NJ 07092

   Telephone:     (201) 985-8300
   Email:             legal@yorkvilleadvisors.com

or at such other address and/or e-mail and/or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by written notice given to each other party prior to the effectiveness of such change. Written confirmation of receipt (i) given by the recipient of such notice, consent, waiver or other communication, (ii) electronically generated by the sender’s email service provider containing the time, date, and recipient email address or (iii) provided by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service shall be rebuttable evidence of personal service in accordance with clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, respectively.

 

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Article XII. Miscellaneous

Section 12.01 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in identical counterparts, both which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and delivered to the other party. Facsimile or other electronically scanned and delivered signatures (including any electronic signature covered by the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Electronic Signatures and Records Act or other applicable law, e.g., www.docusign.com), including by e-mail attachment, shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes of this Agreement.

Section 12.02 Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement supersedes all other prior oral or written agreements between the Investor, the Company, their respective affiliates and persons acting on their behalf with respect to the matters discussed herein, and this Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered herein and, except as specifically set forth herein, neither the Company nor the Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended other than by an instrument in writing signed by the parties to this Agreement.

Section 12.03 Reporting Entity for the Common Shares. The reporting entity relied upon for the determination of the trading price or trading volume of the Common Shares on any given Trading Day for the purposes of this Agreement shall be Bloomberg, L.P. or any successor thereto. The written mutual consent of the Investor and the Company shall be required to employ any other reporting entity.

Section 12.04 Commitment and Structuring Fee. Each of the parties shall pay its own fees and expenses (including the fees of any attorneys, accountants, appraisers or others engaged by such party) in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except that the Company shall pay to YA Global II SPV, LLC, a subsidiary of the Investor, a structuring fee in the amount of $10,000 which shall be paid within five days from the date hereof, and, the Company shall pay to the Investor a commitment fee in the amount of $1,000,000, which shall be due and payable on the Effective Date. The Company, at its option, may elect to satisfy its payment obligation by issuing such number of Common Shares to the Investor as is equal to the commitment fee divided by the average of the daily VWAP for the five consecutive Trading Days prior to the date such amount is due (all such shares, the “Commitment Shares”).

Section 12.05 Brokerage. Each of the parties hereto represents that it has had no dealings in connection with this transaction with any finder or broker who will demand payment of any fee or commission from the other party. The Company on the one hand, and the Investor, on the other hand, agree to indemnify the other against and hold the other harmless from any and all liabilities to any person claiming brokerage commissions or finder’s fees on account of services purported to have been rendered on behalf of the indemnifying party in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

Section 12.06 Trust Fund Waiver. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, the Investor acknowledges that it has read the Company’s prospectus dated August 10, 2021, and understands that the Company has established a trust account at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Trust Fund”) for the benefit of the Company’s public shareholders and that the Company may disburse monies from the Trust Fund only (a) to the Company’s public shareholders in the event they elect

 

- 35 -


to convert their ordinary shares into cash in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and/or the liquidation of the Company or (b) to the Company after, or concurrently with, the consummation of a business combination. The Investor further acknowledges that, if the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, or, upon termination of the Business Combination Agreement, another business combination, are not consummated by May 13, 2023, or such later date as shall be set forth in an amendment to the Company’s amended and restated memorandum and articles of association for the purpose of extending the date by which the Company must complete a business combination, the Company will be obligated to return to its shareholders the amounts being held in the Trust Fund. Accordingly, the Investor, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, hereby waives all rights, title, interest or claim of any kind against the Company to collect from the Trust Fund any monies that may be owed to them by the Company for any reason whatsoever, including but not limited to a breach of this Agreement by the Company or any negotiations, agreements or understandings with the Company (whether in the past, present or future), and will not seek recourse against the Trust Fund at any time for any reason whatsoever. This paragraph will survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason, but, notwithstanding anything set forth herein, will not limit the rights of the Company or its shareholders at or following the date of the closing of the Business Combination.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

- 36 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Standby Equity Purchase Agreement to be executed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first set forth above.

 

COMPANY:
10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

Name: Hans Thomas
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

INVESTOR:
YA II PN, LTD.
By:   Yorkville Advisors Global, LP
Its:   Investment Manager
  By:   Yorkville Advisors Global II, LLC
  Its:   General Partner
  By:  

/s/ Matt Beckman

  Name:   Matt Beckman
  Title:   Member

 

- 37 -


EXECUTION VERSION

EXHIBIT A

ADVANCE NOTICE

10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II

 

        Dated: ______________    Advance Notice Number: ____        

The undersigned, _______________________, hereby certifies, with respect to the sale of Common Shares of [African Agriculture Holdings Inc.] (the “Company”) issuable in connection with this Advance Notice, delivered pursuant to that certain Standby Equity Purchase Agreement, dated as of [____________] (the “Agreement”), as follows (with capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same meanings as given to them in the Agreement):

1. The undersigned is the duly elected ______________ of the Company.

2. There are no fundamental changes to the information set forth in the Registration Statement which would require the Company to file a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement.

3. The Company has performed in all material respects all covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company contained in this Agreement on or prior to the Advance Notice Date. All conditions to the delivery of this Advance Notice are satisfied as of the date hereof.

4. The number of Advance Shares the Company is requesting is _____________________.

5. The Pricing Period for this Advance shall be an [Option 1 Pricing Period]/[Option 2 Pricing Period]

6. The Minimum Acceptable Price with respect to this Advance Notice is____________ (if left blank then no Minimum Acceptable Price will be applicable to this Advance). [Only applicable for an Option 2 Pricing Period]

7. The number of Common Shares of the Company outstanding as of the date hereof is ___________.

The undersigned has executed this Advance Notice as of the date first set forth above.

 

[African Agriculture Holdings Inc.]
By:  

 


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF SETTLEMENT DOCUMENT

VIA EMAIL

[African Agriculture Holdings Inc.] Attn:

Email:

 

   Below please find the settlement information with respect to the Advance Notice Date of:   
1.    Number of Common Shares requested in the Advance Notice   
2.    Minimum Acceptable Price for this Advance (if any)   
3.    Number of Excluded Days (if any)   
4.    Adjusted Advance Amount (if applicable)   
5.    Option [1] / [2] Market Price   
6.    Purchase Price (applicable Market Price x 97%/96%) per share   
7.    Number of Advance Shares due to the Investor   
8.    Total Purchase Price due to Company (row 6 x row 7)   

If there were any Excluded Days then add the following (see Section [2.01(d)]

 

9.    Number of Additional Shares to be issued to the Investor   
10.    Additional amount to be paid to the Company by the Investor (Additional Shares in row 9 x Minimum Acceptable Price x 97%)   
11.    Total Amount to be paid to the Company (Purchase Price in row 8 + additional amount in row 10)   
12.    Total Advance Shares to be issued to the Investor (Advance Shares due to the Investor in row 7 + Additional Shares in row 9)   

Please issue the number of Advance Shares due to the Investor to the account of the Investor as follows:

INVESTOR’S DTC PARTICIPANT #:

ACCOUNT NAME:

ACCOUNT NUMBER:

ADDRESS:

CITY:

 

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COUNTRY:                

CONTACT PERSON:

NUMBER AND/OR EMAIL:

 

Sincerely,
YA II PN, LTD.

 

Agreed and approved By: [African Agriculture Holdings Inc.]:

 

Name:
Title:

 

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Exhibit 10.4

[Execution Version]

 

Date:    November 2, 2022
To:    10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II, a Cayman Islands exempted company (“10X II”) and African Agriculture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Target”).
Address:   

1 World Trade Center, 85th Floor

New York, New York 10007

From:    Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC—Series 8 (“Seller”)
Re:    OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction

The purpose of this agreement (this “Confirmation”) is to confirm the terms and conditions of the transaction (the “Transaction”) entered into between Seller, 10X II and Target on the Trade Date specified below. The term “Counterparty” refers to (a) 10X II until the Business Combination (as defined below), and whereby upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (defined below), where 10X AA Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of 10X II, will merge with and into Target with Target as the surviving entity as a wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X II (the “Combined Company”) and (b) the Combined Company after the Business Combination. Certain terms of the Transaction shall be as set forth in this Confirmation, with additional terms as set forth in a Pricing Date Notice (the “Pricing Date Notice”) in the form of Schedule A hereto. This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notice(s), constitutes a “Confirmation” and the Transaction constitutes a separate “Transaction” as referred to in the ISDA Form (as defined below).

This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notices, evidences a complete binding agreement between Seller, 10X II and Target as to the subject matter and terms of the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates and shall supersede all prior or contemporaneous written or oral communications with respect thereto.

The 2006 ISDA Definitions (the “Swap Definitions”) and the 2002 ISDA Equity Derivatives Definitions (the “Equity Definitions”, and with the Swap Definitions, the “Definitions”), each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., are incorporated into this Confirmation. If there is any inconsistency between the Definitions and this Confirmation, this Confirmation governs. If, in relation to the Transaction to which this Confirmation relates, there is any inconsistency between the ISDA Form, this Confirmation (including the Pricing Date Notice), the Swap Definitions and the Equity Definitions, the following will prevail for purposes of such Transaction in the order of precedence indicated: (i) this Confirmation (including the Pricing Date Notice(s)); (ii) the Equity Definitions; (iii) the Swap Definitions, and (iv) the ISDA Form.

This Confirmation, together with the Pricing Date Notice, shall supplement, form a part of, and be subject to an agreement in the form of the 2002 ISDA Master Agreement (the “ISDA Form”) as if Seller, Target and Counterparty had executed an agreement in such form (but without any Schedule except as set forth herein under “Schedule Provisions”) on the Trade Date of the Transaction.

The terms of the particular Transaction to which this Confirmation relates are as follows:

General Terms

 

Type of Transaction:    Share Forward Transaction
Trade Date:    November 2, 2022
Pricing Date:    As specified in the Pricing Date Notice.
Effective Date:    One (1) Settlement Cycle following the Pricing Date.


Valuation Date:    The earliest to occur of (a) the third anniversary of the closing of the transactions between Counterparty and Target pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated November 2, 2022, as may be entered into on or after the date hereof (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Counterparty, the Target and certain other parties thereto, to be reported on a Form 8-K filed by the Counterparty (the “Form 8-K”) (the “Business Combination”), and (b) the date specified by Seller in a written notice to be delivered to Counterparty at Seller’s discretion (not earlier than the day such notice is effective) after the occurrence of any of a (x) Seller VWAP Trigger Event, (y) a Registration Failure or (z) a Delisting Event (in each case the “Maturity Date”).
Seller VWAP Trigger Event    An event that occurs if the VWAP Price is at or below $3.00 per share for any 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) during a 30 consecutive trading day-period following the closing of the Business Combination.
VWAP Price:    For any scheduled trading day, the Rule 10b-18 volume weighted average price per Share for such day as reported on the relevant Bloomberg Screen “[Counterparty] <Equity> AQR SEC” (or any successor thereto), or if such price is not so reported on such trading day for any reason or is manifestly erroneous, the VWAP Price shall be as reasonably determined in good faith by the Calculation Agent.
Dilutive Offering Reset    To the extent the Counterparty or the Target, after the closing of the Business Combination, sells, enters any agreement to sell or grants any right to reprice, or otherwise dispose of or issues (or announce any offer, sale, grant or any option to purchase or other disposition) any Shares or any securities of the Counterparty or the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries which would entitle the holder thereof to acquire at any time Shares, including, without limitation, any debt, preferred stock, right, option, warrant or other instrument that is at any time convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, or otherwise entitles the holder thereof to receive, Shares, at an effective price per share less than the then existing Reset Price then the Reset Price shall be modified to equal such reduced price.
Reset Price    The Reset Price shall be adjusted on the first scheduled trading day of each month (each a “Reset Date”) commencing on the first calendar month following the closing of the Business Combination to be the lowest of (a) the then-current Reset Price, (b) $10.00 and (c) the VWAP Price of the Shares of the last ten (10) trading days of the prior calendar month, but not lower than $6.00; provided that the Reset Price may be further reduced pursuant to a Dilutive Offering Reset.
Seller:    Seller.
Buyer:    Counterparty.
Shares:    Prior to the closing of the Business Combination, the ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of 10X II (Ticker: “VCXAU”) and, after the closing of the Business Combination, the shares of the Combined Company. Seller will hold the Recycled Shares and the Additional Shares (together with the Recycled Shares, the “Subject Shares”) in a bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle for the benefit of Counterparty.

 

2


Number of Shares:    The sum of (a) the number of Recycled Shares and (b) the number of Additional Shares, as specified in the Pricing Date Notice(s), but in no event more than the Maximum Number of Shares. The Number of Shares is subject to reduction only as described under “Optional Early Termination”.
Maximum Number of Shares:    4,000,000 Shares; provided that the Maximum Number of Shares (a) will be automatically reduced to the number 10X II shares that are issued and outstanding as of 10X II’s redemption deadline and (b) may be increased to 10,000,000 Shares upon the mutual agreement of Counterparty and Seller.
Initial Price:    The Per-Share Redemption Price (the “Redemption Price”) as defined in Section 49.5 of the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of Counterparty dated as of August 10, 2021, as amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”); provided that the Counterparty agrees and covenants to publicly disclose two (2) days prior to the expiration of the Counterparty’s redemption offer the estimated Redemption Price as of the same date.
Recycled Shares:    The number of Shares purchased by Seller from third parties (other than Counterparty) through a broker in the open market (other than through Counterparty); provided that Seller shall have irrevocably waived all redemption rights with respect to such Shares as provided below in the section captioned “Transactions by Seller in the Shares.” Seller shall specify the number of Recycled Shares (the “Number of Recycled Shares”) in the initial Pricing Date Notice.
Additional Shares:    Additional Shares may be purchased at any time prior to the Maturity Date for no separate consideration by Seller, in Seller’s sole discretion, from the Counterparty, with such number of Shares to be specified in a Pricing Date Notice(s) as Additional Shares; provided that such number of Additional Shares that may be purchased from the Counterparty shall not exceed the difference of (x) the Maximum Number of Shares and (y) the Recycled Shares; provided further that such number of Additional Shares included in a Pricing Date Notice shall be promptly issued to Seller in its name free and clear of all liens.
Prepayment:    Applicable. Payment of the Prepayment Amount shall be made directly from the Counterparty’s Trust Account maintained by Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Company holding the net proceeds of the sale of the units in Counterparty’s initial public offering and the sale of private placement units (the “Trust Account”) no later than the Prepayment Date. Counterparty shall provide (a) notice to Counterparty’s trustee of the entrance into this Confirmation no later than one (1) Local Business Day following the date hereof, with a copy to Seller and Seller’s outside legal counsel, and (b) to Seller and Seller’s outside legal counsel a final draft of the flow of funds from the Trust Account prior to the closing of the Business Combination itemizing the Prepayment Amount due to Seller; provided that Seller shall be invited to attend closing call in connection with the Business Combination.

 

3


Prepayment Amount:    A cash amount equal to (x) (i) the Number of Recycled Shares underlying the Transaction as set forth on the initial Pricing Date Notice, multiplied by (ii) the Initial Price less (y) the Prepayment Shortfall (if requested in writing to Seller by Counterparty).
Prepayment Date:    Subject to Counterparty receiving the initial Pricing Date Notice, the earlier of (a) one (1) Local Business Day after the closing of the Business Combination and (b) the date any assets from the Trust Account are disbursed in connection with the Business Combination.
Variable Obligation:    Not applicable.
Prepayment Shortfall    An amount in USD equal to an aggregate of up to 10% of the product of the Number of Shares and the Initial Price (at the option of and subject to the written request of the Counterparty no later than two (2) Local Business Day before the Prepayment Date); provided that upon the written request of the Counterparty, Seller may either (i) submit a Registration Request prior to the Prepayment Date, in which case the Prepayment Shortfall will be paid by Seller no later than one (1) Local Business Day following the Registration Statement Effective Date or (ii) pay the Prepayment Shortfall to Counterparty on the Prepayment Date (which amount shall be netted from the Prepayment Amount); provided further that the Prepayment Shortfall may be requested by Counterparty after the Prepayment Date and prior to the Registration Effective Date and will be paid by Seller no later than one (1) Local Business Day following the Registration Statement Effective Date.
Prepayment Shortfall Consideration    In the event that Counterparty has requested and the Seller has paid the Prepayment Shortfall, Seller in its sole discretion may sell Subject Shares at any time and at any sales price, without payment by Seller of any Early Termination Obligation (as defined below) until such time as the proceeds from the such sales equal 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall (as set forth under Shortfall Sales below) (such sales, “Shortfall Sales,” and such Shares, “Shortfall Sale Shares”). Any sales of Subject Shares by Seller that result in proceeds in excess of 100% of the Prepayment Shortfall shall constitute an Optional Early Termination for purposes hereof. Seller may designate any sale of Shares as either a “Shortfall Sale,” subject to the terms and conditions herein applicable to Shortfall Sale Shares, by delivering a Shortfall Sale Notice as required hereunder, or an Optional Early Termination, subject to the terms and conditions herein applicable to Terminated Shares, by delivering an OET Notice as required hereunder.
Exchanges    Nasdaq Capital Market
Related Exchange(s)    All Exchanges
Break-up Fees:    A break-up fee equal to $500,000 (the “Break-up Fee”) shall be payable, jointly and severally, by the Counterparty and the Target to the Seller in the event this Confirmation or Transaction is terminated by either the Counterparty or the Target; provided that the Break-up Fee shall not be payable if (i) the Business Combination is terminated pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, (ii) upon any Optional Early Termination or (iii) upon any Additional Termination Events; provided that Counterparty and Target may terminate this Transaction, including the Confirmation, with no liability to Seller, if redemptions (including as redemptions such Shares that

 

4


   were tendered for redemption and then unredeemed to be purchased in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder) are less than 75% as calculated in good faith by the board of directors of Counterparty (based on the number of shares submitted for redemption as the numerator and the total issued and outstanding shares as the denominator calculated as a percentage) upon written notice to Seller certifying the same no later than the Counterparty’s redemption deadline (two days prior to the shareholder vote); provided that notwithstanding any other provision, clause or proviso (including the immediately preceding proviso)of this Confirmation, this Transaction, including the Confirmation may not be terminated by Counterparty or Target after Seller purchases any Subject Shares; provided further that Seller hereby waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind they have or may have during the term of this Confirmation, in or to any monies held in the Counterparty’s Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse against the Trust Account in each case, as a result of, or arising out of, this Transaction; provided, however, that nothing herein shall (x) serve to limit or prohibit Seller’s right to pursue a claim against the Counterparty for legal relief against assets held outside the Trust Account, for specific performance or other equitable relief, (y) serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Seller may have in the future against the Counterparty’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account (including any funds that have been released from the Trust Account and any assets that have been purchased or acquired with any such funds), (z) be deemed to limit Seller’s right, title, interest or claim to the Trust Account by virtue of such Seller’s record or beneficial ownership of securities of the Counterparty acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Transaction or (aa) serve to limit Seller’s redemption right with respect to any such securities of the Seller other than during the term of the Confirmation. The Breakup Fee is not intended to constitute a liquidated damages provision, and it will be payable in addition to any other amount due and payable to Seller as a result of the occurrence of an Early Termination Date under the ISDA Master Agreement.
Payment Dates:    Following the Business Combination the last day of each calendar quarter or, if such date is not a Local Business Day, the next following Local Business Day, until the Maturity Date.
Reimbursement of Legal Fees and Other Expenses:    Together with the Prepayment Amount, Counterparty shall pay to Seller an amount equal to the expenses actually incurred in connection with the acquisition of the Shares in an amount not to exceed $0.05 per Share.
Settlement Terms   
Settlement Method Election:    Not Applicable.
Settlement Method:    Physical Settlement.
Settlement Currency:    USD.
Settlement Date:    Two (2) Local Business Days following the Valuation Date.
Excess Dividend Amount    Ex Amount.

 

5


Optional Early Termination:    From time to time and on any date following the Business Combination (any such date, an “OET Date”) and subject to the terms and conditions below, Seller may, in its absolute discretion, terminate the Transaction in whole or in part so long as Seller provides written notice to Counterparty (the “OET Notice”), no later than the later of (a) the third Local Business Day following the OET Date and (b) the first Payment Date after the OET Date which shall specify the quantity by which the Number of Shares is to be reduced (such quantity, the “Terminated Shares”); provided that “Terminated Shares” includes only such quantity of Shares by which the Number of Shares is to be reduced and included in an OET Notice and does not include any Shortfall Sale Shares or sales of Shares that are designated as Shortfall Sales (which designation can be made only up to the amount of Shortfall Sale Proceeds), which Shares will not be included in any OET Notice or included in the definition, or when calculating the number, of Terminated Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Seller shall terminate the Transaction in respect of any Shares sold by it on or prior to the Maturity Date, and Seller shall be obligated to deliver an OET Notice in respect of any Shares sold prior to the Maturity Date that are not covered in a Shortfall Sale Notice (described below). The effect of an OET Notice given shall be to reduce the Number of Shares by the number of Terminated Shares specified in such OET Notice with effect as of the related OET Date. As of each OET Date, Counterparty shall be entitled to an amount from Seller, and the Seller shall pay to Counterparty an amount, equal to the product of (x) the number of Terminated Shares and (y) the Reset Price in respect of such OET Date (an “Early Termination Obligation”). No Early Termination Obligation shall be due to Counterparty upon any Shortfall Sale Shares. Any proceeds from the Optional Early Termination shall be payable to Counterparty pursuant to the terms hereof. The remainder of the Transaction, if any, shall continue in accordance with its terms; provided that if the OET Date is also the stated Valuation Date, the remainder of the Transaction shall be settled in accordance with the other provisions of “Settlement Terms.” Seller shall pay to Counterparty any and all unsatisfied Early Termination Obligations, calculated as of the last day of each calendar quarter, on the first Local Business Day following such day; provided that Seller shall be under no obligation to settle an Early Termination Obligation set forth in an OET Notice prior to one (1) Local Business Day following the settlement of the Share sale(s) covered in such OET notice.
Shortfall Sales    From time to time and on any date following the Business Combination (any such date, a “Shortfall Sale Date”) and subject to the terms and conditions below, Seller may, in its absolute discretion, at any sales price, sell Shortfall Sale Shares, and in connection with such sales, Seller shall provide written notice to Counterparty (the “Shortfall Sale Notice”) no later than the later of (a) the third Local Business Day following the Shortfall Sales Date and (b) the first Payment Date after the Shortfall Sales Date, specifying the quantity of the Shortfall Sale Shares and the allocation of the Shortfall Sale Proceeds. Seller shall not have any Early Termination Obligation in connection with any Shortfall Sales. The Counterparty covenants and agrees for a period of at least sixty (60) Local Business Days not to publicly issue, sell or offer or agree to sell any Shares, or securities or debt that is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into Shares, including under any existing

 

6


   or future equity line of credit (collectively, “Private Sale Transacitons”), commencing on the date that the Seller pays the Counterparty the Prepayment Shortfall; provided that Counterparty shall cause any securities or derivative securities that may be issued or sold pursuant to or relate to such Private Sale Transactions to not be sold, resold or transferred publicly, including on or through an exchange during the 60-day period referenced above.
Maturity Consideration:    The “Maturity Consideration” means an amount equal to the product of (1) (a) the Maximum Number of Shares less (b) the number of Terminated Shares multiplied by (2) $2.00. On the Maturity Date, Seller shall be entitled to receive the Maturity Consideration in cash or, at the option of Counterparty (other than in the case of a Delisting Event), Shares based on the average daily VWAP Price over 10 scheduled trading days ending on the Maturity Date (such shares to be paid as Maturity Consideration, the “Maturity Shares”); provided that the Maturity Shares used to pay the Maturity Consideration (i) (a) are registered for resale under an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act under which Seller may sell or transfer the Shares or (b) may be transferred by Seller without any restrictions including the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2)) or the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and (ii) bear no restrictive legend (collectively, (i) and (ii) above, the “Share Conditions”); provided further that if the Maturity Shares do not satisfy the Share Conditions, Seller shall receive such number of Shares equal to 225% of the Maturity Shares (the “Penalty Shares”); provided further that if the Maturity Shares satisfy the Share Conditions within 120 days of the Maturity Date, Seller shall return to Counterparty such number of Penalty Shares that are valued in excess of Maturity Consideration based on the 10-day VWAP ending on date that such Shares satisfied the Share Conditions. Counterparty, at Sellers’s option, will pay the Maturity Consideration on a net basis such that Seller retains a number of shares due to Counterparty upon the Maturity Date equal to the number of Maturity Shares payable to Seller, only to the extent the Number of Shares due to Counterparty upon the Maturity Date are equal to or more than the number of Maturity Shares payable to Seller, with any Maturity Consideration remaining due to be paid to Seller in newly issued Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, in addition to the Maturity Consideration, at the Maturity Date, Seller will be entitled to retain a cash amount equal to the product of (y) the Number of Shares remaining in the Transaction multiplied by (z) the Redemption Price, and Seller will deliver to Buyer the Number of Shares that remain in the Transaction.
Share Consideration:    In addition to the Prepayment Amount, Counterparty shall pay directly from the Trust Account, on the Prepayment Date, an amount equal to the product of (x) such number that is the greater of (a) 5% of the Maximum Number of Shares and (b) 200,000 (provided that if Counterparty has requested and the Seller has paid the Prepayment Shortfall such number will be increased to the greater of (a) 10% of the Maximum Number of Shares and (b) 400,000) and (y) the Initial Price. The Shares purchased with the Share Consideration (the “Share Consideration Shares”) shall be incremental to the Maximum Number of Shares, shall not be included in the Number of Shares in this Transaction, and the Seller shall be free and clear of all obligations with respect to such Share Consideration Shares in connection with this Confirmation.

 

7


Share Registration    At the written request of Seller, to be no earlier than in connection with the Prepayment Date (as described in Prepayment Shortfall above), (the “Registration Request”), within thirty (30) calendar days of the Registration Request, Counterparty shall use its best efforts to file (at Counterparty’s sole cost and expense) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement registering the resale of all shares held by the Seller and its affiliates, including the Recycled Shares, the Additional Shares and any Share Consideration Shares (the “Registration Statement”), and have the Registration Statement declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earliest of (i) the 45th calendar day (or 90th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following the filing of the Registration Statement (which shall be no later than 30 calendar days following the Registration Request) and (ii) the 5th Local Business Day after the date the Counterparty is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that such Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Upon notification by the Commission that the Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission, within two (2) Local Business Days thereafter, the Counterparty shall file the final prospectus under Rule 424 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In no event shall Seller be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless requested by the Commission. The Counterparty will use its best efforts to keep the Registration Statement covering the resale of the shares as described above continuously effective (except for customary blackout periods, up to twice per year and for a total of up to 15 calendar days (and not more than 10 calendar days in an occurrence), if and when the Counterparty is in possession of material non-public information the disclosure of which, in the good faith judgment of the Counterparty’s board of directors, would be prejudicial, and the Counterparty agrees to promptly notify Seller of any such blackout determination) until the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date or (b) the date on which all such shares have been sold or may be transferred without any restrictions including the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2) or the volume and manner of sale limitations under Rule 144 under the Securities Act; provided that Counterparty covenants and agrees to promptly make all necessary filings, amendments, supplements and submissions in furtherance of the foregoing, including to register all of Sellers Shares for resale. The Seller may, at its sole discretion, accelerate the Maturity Date (and payment of the Maturity Consideration) by written notice to the Counterparty at any time, if (a) the Registration Statement covering all of the shares described above in this section is not declared effective after the 60th calendar day (or 105th calendar day if the Commission notifies the Counterparty that it will “review” the Registration Statement) after its filing (which shall be no later than 90 calendar days (or 135 days in the case of a “review”) following the Registration Request) or (b) the Registration Statement after it is declared effective ceases to be continuously effective (subject to the blackout periods as indicated above) as set forth in the preceding sentence ((a) and (b)

 

8


   together, collectively, a “Registration Failure”). If requested by Seller, the Counterparty shall remove or instruct its transfer agent to remove any restrictive legend with respect to transfers under the Securities Act from any and all Shares held by Seller if (1) the Registration Statement is and continues to be effective under the Securities Act, (2) such Shares are sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (subject to all applicable requirements of Rule 144 being met), or (3) such Shares are eligible for sale under Rule 144, without the requirement for the Counterparty to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) as to the Shares and without volume or manner-of-sale restrictions; provided that Seller shall have timely provided customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent in connection therewith. Any fees (with respect to the transfer agent, Counterparty’s counsel or otherwise) associated with the issuance of any legal opinion required by the Counterparty’s transfer agent or the removal of such legend shall be borne by the Counterparty. If a legend is no longer required pursuant to the foregoing, the Counterparty will, no later than five (5) Local Business Days following the delivery by Seller to the Counterparty or the transfer agent (with notice to the Counterparty) of customary representations and other documentation reasonably acceptable to the Counterparty, its counsel and/or its transfer agent, remove the restrictive legend related to the book entry account holding the Shares and make a new, unlegended book entry for the Shares. Consistent with the foregoing, the Seller and the Counterparty agree to enter into a separate registration rights agreement providing for customary demand and piggyback registration rights and customary indemnification of the Seller.
Share Adjustments:   
Method of Adjustment:    Calculation Agent Adjustment.
Extraordinary Events:   
Consequences of Merger Events involving Counterparty:   
Share-for-Share:    Calculation Agent Adjustment.
Share-for-Other:    Cancellation and Payment.
Share-for-Combined:    Component Adjustment.
Tender Offer:    Applicable; provided, however, that Section 12.1(d) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding “, or of the outstanding Shares,” before “of the Issuer” in the fourth line thereof. Sections 12.1(e) and 12.1(l)(ii) of the Equity Definitions are hereby amended by adding “or Shares, as applicable,” after “voting Shares”.
Consequences of Tender Offers:   
Share-for-Share:    Calculation Agent Adjustment.
Share-for-Other:    Calculation Agent Adjustment.

 

9


Share-for-Combined:    Calculation Agent Adjustment.
Composition of Combined Consideration:    Not Applicable.
Nationalization, Insolvency or Delisting:    Cancellation and Payment (Calculation Agent Determination); provided that in addition to the provisions of Section 12.6(a)(iii) of the Equity Definitions, it shall also constitute a Delisting if the Exchange is located in the United States and the Shares are not immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any of the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, Nasdaq Capital Market or the Nasdaq Global Market (or their respective successors) or such other exchange or quotation system which, in the determination of the Calculation Agent, has liquidity comparable to the aforementioned exchanges; if the Shares are immediately re-listed, re-traded or re-quoted on any such exchange or quotation system, such exchange or quotation system shall be deemed to be the Exchange.
Business Combination Exclusion:    Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision herein, the parties agree that the Business Combination shall not constitute a Merger Event, Tender Offer, Delisting or any other Extraordinary Event hereunder.
Additional Disruption Events:   

(a)   Change in Law:

   Applicable; provided that Section 12.9(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by adding the words “(including, for the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, adoption or promulgation of new regulations authorized or mandated by existing statute)” after the word “regulation” in the second line thereof.

(a)   Failure to Deliver:

   Not Applicable.

(b)   Insolvency Filing:

   Applicable.

(c)   Hedging Disruption:

   Not Applicable.

(d)   Increased Cost of Hedging:

   Not Applicable.

(e)   Loss of Stock Borrow:

   Not Applicable.

(f)   Increased Cost of Stock Borrow:

   Not Applicable.
Determining Party:    For all applicable events, Seller, unless (i) an Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to Seller, or (ii) if Seller fails to perform its obligations as Determining Party, in which case a Third Party Dealer (as defined below) in the relevant market selected by Counterparty will be the Determining Party. When making any determination or calculation as “Determining Party,” Seller shall be bound by the same obligations relating to required acts of the Calculation Agent as set forth in Section 1.40 of the Equity Definitions and this Confirmation as if Determining Party were the Calculation Agent.

 

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Additional Provisions:   
Calculation Agent:    Seller, unless (i) an Event of Default, Potential Event of Default or Termination Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to Seller, or (ii) if Seller fails to perform its obligations as Calculation Agent, in which case an unaffiliated leading dealer in the relevant market selected by Counterparty in its sole discretion will be the Calculation Agent.
  

In the event that a party (the “Disputing Party”) does not agree with any determination made (or the failure to make any determination) by the Calculation Agent, the Disputing Party shall have the right to require that the Calculation Agent have such determination reviewed by a disinterested third party that is a dealer in derivatives of the type that is the subject of the dispute and that is not an Affiliate of either party (a “Third Party Dealer”). Such Third Party Dealer shall be jointly selected by the parties within one (1) Local Business Day after the Disputing Party’s exercise of its rights hereunder (once selected, such Third Party Dealer shall be the “Substitute Calculation Agent”). If the parties are unable to agree on a Substitute Calculation Agent within the prescribed time, each of the parties shall elect a Third Party Dealer and such two dealers shall agree on a Third Party Dealer by the end of the subsequent Local Business Day. Such Third Party Dealer shall be deemed to be the Substitute Calculation Agent. Any exercise by the Disputing Party of its rights hereunder must be in writing and shall be delivered to the Calculation Agent not later than the third Local Business Day following the Local Business Day on which the Calculation Agent notifies the Disputing Party of any determination made (or of the failure to make any determination). Any determination by the Substitute Calculation Agent shall be binding in the absence of manifest error and shall be made as soon as possible but no later than the second Local Business Day following the Substitute Calculation Agent’s appointment. The costs of such Substitute Calculation Agent shall be borne by (a) the Disputing Party if the Substitute Calculation Agent substantially agrees with the Calculation Agent or (b) the non-Disputing Party if the Substitute Calculation Agent does not substantially agree with the Calculation Agent. If, after following the procedures and within the specified time frames set forth above, a binding determination is not achieved, the original determination of the Calculation Agent shall apply.

 

Following any adjustment, determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent hereunder, upon a written request by Counterparty (which may be by email), the Calculation Agent will promptly (but in any event within five Exchange Business Days) provide to Counterparty by email to the email address provided by Counterparty in such written request a report (in a commonly used file format for the storage and manipulation of financial data) displaying in reasonable detail the basis for such adjustment, determination or calculation (including any quotations, market data or information from internal or external sources, and any assumptions used in making such adjustment, determination or calculation), it being understood that in no event will the Calculation Agent be obligated to share with Counterparty any proprietary or confidential data or information or any proprietary or confidential models used by it in making such adjustment, determination or calculation or any information that is subject to an obligation not to disclose such information.

 

All calculations and determinations by the Calculation Agent shall be made in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner.

 

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Non-Reliance:    Applicable.
Agreements and Acknowledgements Regarding Hedging Activities:    Applicable.
Additional Acknowledgements:    Applicable.
Schedule Provisions:   
Specified Entity:    In relation to both Seller and Counterparty for the purpose of:
   Section 5(a)(v), Not Applicable
   Section 5(a)(vi), Not Applicable
   Section 5(a)(vii), Not Applicable
Cross-Default    The “Cross-Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party.
Credit Event Upon Merger    The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(v) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party.
Automatic Early Termination:    The “Automatic Early Termination” of Section 6(a) of the ISDA Form will not apply to either party.
Termination Currency:    United States Dollars.
Additional Termination Events:    Will apply to Seller and to Counterparty and Target. The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an Additional Termination Event in respect of which Seller and Counterparty and Target shall be Affected Parties:
   (a) The Business Combination fails to close on or before the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) (as such Termination Date may be amended or extended from time to time); and
  

(b) The Merger Agreement is terminated pursuant to its terms prior to the closing of the Business Combination

 

(c) Seller terminates this Transaction, including the Confirmation, in its sole discretion.

   Notwithstanding the foregoing, Counterparty’s obligations set forth under the captions, “Reimbursement of Legal Fees and Expenses,” and “Other Provisions — (d) Indemnification” shall survive any termination due to the occurrence of either of the foregoing Additional Termination Events.
Governing Law:    New York law (without reference to choice of law doctrine).
Credit Support Provider:    With respect to Seller and Counterparty, None.
Local Business Days:    Seller specifies the following places for the purposes of the definition of Local Business Day as it applies to it: New York. Counterparty specifies the following places for the purposes of the definition of Local Business Day as it applies to it: New York.

 

12


Representations, Warranties and Covenants

 

1.

Each of Counterparty, Target and Seller represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the other as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction that (in the absence of any written agreement between the parties that expressly imposes affirmative obligations to the contrary for the Transaction):

 

(a)

Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into the Transaction and as to whether the Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into the Transaction, it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of the Transaction will not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into the Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party will be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of the Transaction.

 

(b)

Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of the Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of the Transaction.

 

(c)

Non-Public Information. It is in compliance with Section 10(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

(d)

Eligible Contract Participant. It is an “eligible contract participant” under, and as defined in, the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1a(18)) and CFTC regulations (17 CFR § 1.3).

 

(e)

Tax Characterization. It shall treat the Transaction as a derivative financial contract for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and it shall not take any action or tax return filing position contrary to this characterization.

 

(f)

Private Placement. It (i) is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Regulation D as promulgated under the Securities Act, (ii) is entering into the Transaction for its own account without a view to the distribution or resale thereof and (iii) understands that the assignment, transfer or other disposition of the Transaction has not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act.

 

(g)

Investment Company Act. It is not and, after giving effect to the Transaction, will not be required to register as an “investment company” under, and as such term is defined in, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

(h)

Authorization. The Transaction, including this Confirmation, has been entered into pursuant to authority granted by its board of directors or other governing authority. It has no internal policy, whether written or oral, that would prohibit it from entering into any aspect of the Transaction, including, but not limited to, the purchase of Shares to be made in connection therewith.

 

(i)

Affiliate Status. It is the intention of the parties hereto that Seller shall not be an “affiliate” (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Counterparty including 10X II prior to the Business Combination or the Combined Company following the closing of the Business Combination, as a result of the transactions contemplated hereunder.

 

2.

Counterparty represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with Seller as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction that:

 

(a)

Total Assets. 10X II has total assets as of the date hereof and expects to have as of the closing of the Business Combination of at least USD $5,000,001.

 

13


(b)

Non-Reliance. Without limiting the generality of Section 13.1 of the Equity Definitions, Counterparty acknowledges that Seller is not making any representations or warranties or taking any position or expressing any view with respect to the treatment of the Transaction under any accounting standards.

 

(c)

Solvency. Counterparty is, and shall be as of the date of any payment or delivery by Counterparty under the Transaction, solvent and able to pay its debts as they come due, with assets having a fair value greater than liabilities and with capital sufficient to carry on the businesses in which it engages. Counterparty: (i) has not engaged in and will not engage in any business or transaction after which the property remaining with it will be unreasonably small in relation to its business, (ii) has not incurred and does not intend to incur debts beyond its ability to pay as they mature, and (iii) as a result of entering into and performing its obligations under the Transaction, (a) it has not violated and will not violate any relevant state law provision applicable to the acquisition or redemption by an issuer of its own securities and (b) it would not be nor would it be rendered “insolvent” (as such term is defined under Section 101(32) of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable local insolvency regime).

 

(d)

Public Reports. As of the Trade Date, Counterparty is in material compliance with its reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, and all reports and other documents filed by Counterparty with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act, when considered as a whole (with the most recent such reports and documents deemed to amend inconsistent statements contained in any earlier such reports and documents), do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

 

(e)

No Distribution. Except with respect to any Shares that may be offered and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to facilitate a distribution of the Shares (or any security that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for Shares, or whose value under its terms may in whole or in significant part be determined by the value of the Shares) or in connection with any future issuance of securities.

 

(f)

SEC Documents. The Counterparty shall comply with the Securities and Exchange Commission’s guidance, including Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation No. 166.01, for all relevant disclosure in connection with this Confirmation and the Transaction, and will not file with the Securities and Exchange Commission any Form 8-K, Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or Form F-4) (including any post-effective amendment thereof), proxy statement, or other document that includes any disclosure regarding this Confirmation or the Transaction without consulting with and reasonably considering any comments received from Seller, provided that, no consultation shall be required with respect to any subsequent disclosures that are substantially similar to prior disclosures by Counterparty that were reviewed by Seller.

 

(g)

Waiver. The Counterparty hereby waives any violation of its “bulldog clause” and any other restrictions that would be caused by Seller entering into this Transaction.

 

(h)

Disclosure. The Counterparty shall preview with Seller all public disclosure relating to the Transaction and shall consult with Seller to ensure that such public disclosure, including the press release, Form 8-K or other filing that announces the Transaction adequately discloses the material terms and conditions of the Transaction in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Seller; provided that the Form 8-K shall be publicly filed within one business day of the date that definitive transaction documents are signed and provided further, that to the extent definitive transaction documents are not signed at least 48 hours prior to the Redemption Deadline, the Counterparty agrees to make all necessary disclosures (if any) at least 24 hours prior to the Redemption Deadline to ensure that Seller is not in possession of material non-public information as a result of the transactions outlined herein.

 

(i)

Listing. The Counterparty agrees to use its best efforts to maintain the listing of the Shares on a national securities exchange; provided that if the Shares cease to be listed on a national securities exchange or upon the filing of a Form 25 (each a “Delisting Event”), Seller may accelerate the Maturity Date under this Confirmation by delivering notice to the Counterparty and shall be entitled to the Break-up Fees, which shall be due and payable immediately following the Maturity Date.

 

14


(j)

Regulatory Filings. Counterparty covenants that it will make all regulatory filings that it is required by law or regulation to make with respect to the Transaction.

 

(k)

Regulation M and Target Approvals. Counterparty is not on the Trade Date and agrees and covenants that it will not be on any date Seller is purchasing shares that may be included in a Pricing Date Notice, engaged or engaging in a distribution, as such term is used in Regulation M under the Exchange Act, of any securities of Counterparty, other than a distribution meeting the requirements of the exception set forth in Rules 101(b)(10) and 102(b)(7) of Regulation M. Counterparty shall not, until the second scheduled trading day immediately following dates referenced in the preceding sentence, engage in any such distribution. Counterparty, including Target, also agrees and covenants that the Merger Agreement shall be executed and all required approvals and consents of the Target security holders in connection with the Business Combination shall be obtained and any subsequent valuation periods as contemplated under Regulation M under the Exchange Act, shall be completed in each case no later than 10X II’ redemption deadline.

 

(l)

Other Agreements. Counterparty covenants and agrees that it has not and will not enter into any other (i) OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transactions or similar transaction(s) or agreement(s) with any other person(s) without the prior written consent of Seller or (ii) agreements or arrangements that would change or have the effect of changing or manipulating the number of redemptions for purposes of canceling this Transaction, including the Confirmation, as set forth in Break-up Fees.

 

(m)

No conflicts. The execution and delivery by the Counterparty and Target of, and the performance by the Counterparty and the Target of its obligations under, the Transaction and the Confirmation and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Confirmation, including the payments and share issuances hereunder, do not and will not result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under (nor constitute any event which, with notice, lapse of time or both, would result in any breach or violation of or constitute a default under or give the holder of any indebtedness (or a person acting on such holder’s behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a part of such indebtedness under) (or result in the creation or imposition of a lien, charge or encumbrance on any property or assets of the Counterparty, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries pursuant to) (i) any provision of applicable law, (ii) the organizational documents of any of the Counterparty, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries, (iii) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or credit agreement or other evidence of indebtedness, or any license, lease, contract or other agreement or instrument binding upon the Counterparty, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries, or (iv) any judgment, order or decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over the Counterparty, the Target or any of their respective subsidiaries, and no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or qualification with, any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Counterparty or the Target of their respective obligations under the Confirmation, except as have been obtained. In addition, the Counterparty and Target covenant and agree not to enter into any agreement or other arrangement that would prohibit, restrict or otherwise prevent the Counterparty from performing its obligations hereunder, including the making of any payment or Share issuance to the Seller.

 

3.

Seller represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with Counterparty as of the date on which it enters into the Transaction and each other date specified that:

 

(a)

Regulatory Filings. Seller covenants that it will make all regulatory filings that it is required by law or regulation to make with respect to the Transaction including, without limitation, as may be required by Section 13 or Section 16 (if applicable) under the Exchange Act and, assuming the accuracy of Counterparty’s Repurchase Notices (as described under “Repurchase Notices” below) any sales of the Recycled Shares and the Additional Shares will be in compliance therewith.

 

(b)

Shorting. Seller agrees not effect any Short Sales in respect of the Shares prior to the earlier of a) the Maturity Date and b) the cancellation of the Transaction. “Short Sales” means all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, whether or not against the box, and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges, forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, short sales, swaps, “put equivalent positions” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act) and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis).

 

15


(c)

Share Sales. Seller acknowledges that certain shares acquired by it as part of the this Transaction may be “restricted shares” (as such term is used under Rule 144 of the Securities Act) and any sales, transfers or other dispositions of such shares may only be made pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, an available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or a transaction not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

(d)

Tax Forms. Seller agrees to deliver to Counterparty a duly executed and completed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 (or successor thereto) promptly upon (i) execution of this Confirmation, (ii) reasonable request of Counterparty and (iii) upon learning that any such form previously provided has become obsolete or incorrect.

Transactions by Seller in the Shares

 

(e)

Seller hereby waives the redemption rights (“Redemption Rights”) set forth in Article 8.1 and 49.5 of the Certificate of Incorporation in connection with the Business Combination with respect to the Subject Shares only during the term of this Confirmation. Seller may sell or otherwise transfer, loan or dispose of any of the Shares or any other shares or securities of the Counterparty in one or more public or private transactions at any time. Any Subject Shares that are not Shortfall Sale Shares sold by Seller during the term of the Transaction will cease to be included in the Number of Shares.

 

(f)

Unless otherwise noted herein, Seller will give written notice to Counterparty of any sale of Subject Shares by Seller within one (1) Local Business Day following the date of such sale, such notice to include the date of the sale and the number of Subject Shares sold, and if required, make public disclosure of such sale or provide Counterparty with information it reasonably requests for Counterparty to publicly disclose such sale.

No Arrangements

Seller, Counterparty and Target each acknowledge and agree that: (i) there are no voting, hedging or settlement arrangements between or among Seller, Counterparty and Target with respect to any Shares or the Counterparty or Target, other than those set forth herein; (ii) although Seller may hedge its risk under the Transaction in any way Seller determines, Seller has no obligation to hedge with the purchase, sale or maintenance of any Shares or otherwise; (iii) Counterparty and Target will not be entitled to any voting rights in respect of any of the Shares underlying the Transaction; and (iv) Counterparty and Target will not seek to influence Seller with respect to the voting or disposition of any Shares.

Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act

In connection with Section 739 of the Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010 (“WSTAA”), the parties hereby agree that neither the enactment of WSTAA or any regulation under WSTAA, nor any requirement under WSTAA or an amendment made by WSTAA, nor any similar legal certainty provision in any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation promulgated, on or after the date of this Confirmation, shall limit or otherwise impair either party’s otherwise applicable rights to terminate, renegotiate, modify, amend or supplement this Confirmation or the ISDA Form, as applicable, arising from a termination event, force majeure, illegality, increased costs, regulatory change or similar event under this Confirmation, the Equity Definitions incorporated herein, or the ISDA Form.

Address for Notices

Notice to Seller:

3 Columbus Circle

24th Floor

New York, NY 10019

 

16


With a copy to:

Seward & Kissel LLP

One Battery Park Plaza

New York, NY 10004

Attention: Keith Billotti

Email:       billotti@sewkis.com

Notice to Counterparty:

10X II Acquisition Corp. II

World Trade Center, 85th Floor

New York, New York 10007

Attn:     Hans Thomas

E-mail: hans@10xcapital.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Latham & Watkins (London) LLP

99 Bishopsgate

London, EC2M 3XF

United Kingdom

Attn:      J. David Stewart

    Ryan Maierson

E-mail:   david.stewart@lw.com

      ryan.maierson@lw.com

Following the Closing of the Business Combination:

African Agriculture Holdings Inc.

415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attn:    Alan Kessler

  Harry Green

E-mail:     ak@africanagriculture.com

        hg@africanagriculture.com

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn:    Zachary Jacobs

  Jack Levy

E-mail:    zjacobs@morrisoncohen.com

      jlevy@morrisoncohen.com

Notice to Target:

African Agriculture Holdings Inc.

415 Park Avenue, 9th Floor

New York, NY 10022

Attn:    Alan Kessler

  Harry Green

E-mail:     ak@africanagriculture.com

        hg@africanagriculture.com

 

17


with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Morrison Cohen LLP

909 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn:    Zachary Jacobs

  Jack Levy

E-mail:    zjacobs@morrisoncohen.com

      jlevy@morrisoncohen.com

Other Provisions.

 

(g)

Transactions in the Shares.

 

  (i)

Counterparty represents and warrants to Seller that Counterparty is not entering into the Transaction to create actual or apparent trading activity in the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) or to raise or depress or otherwise manipulate the price of the Shares (or any security convertible into or exchangeable for the Shares) for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of such securities or otherwise in violation of the Exchange Act, and Counterparty represents and warrants to Seller that Counterparty has not entered into or altered, and agrees that Counterparty will not enter into or alter, any corresponding or hedging transaction or position with respect to the Shares.

 

  (ii)

Counterparty agrees that it will not seek to control or influence Seller’s decision to make any purchases or sales under the Transaction, including, without limitation, Seller’s decision to enter into any hedging transactions. Counterparty represents and warrants that it has consulted with its own advisors as to the legal aspects of its adoption and implementation of this Confirmation and the Transaction under federal securities laws including, without limitation, the prohibitions on manipulative and deceptive deceives under the Exchange Act.

 

  (iii)

Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that any amendment, modification, waiver or termination of this Confirmation must be effected in accordance with the requirements for the amendment or termination of a written trading plan for trading securities. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that any such amendment, modification, waiver or termination shall be made in good faith and not as part of a plan or scheme to evade compliance with federal securities laws including, without limitation, the prohibitions on manipulative and deceptive devices under the Exchange Act, and no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be made at any time at which Counterparty or any officer, director, manager or similar person of Counterparty is aware of any material non-public information regarding Counterparty or the Shares.

 

(h)

Repurchase Notices. Counterparty shall, on any day on which Counterparty is not a “foreign private issuer” for purposes of the Securities Act and Counterparty effects any repurchase of Shares, promptly give Seller a written notice of such repurchase (a “Repurchase Notice”) on such day if following such repurchase, the number of outstanding Shares as determined on such day is (i) less than the number of Shares outstanding that would result in the percentage of total Shares outstanding represented by the number of Shares underlying the Transaction increasing by 0.10% (in the case of the first such notice) or (ii) thereafter more than the number of Shares that would need to be repurchased to result in the percentage of total Shares outstanding represented by the number of Shares underlying the Transaction increasing by a further 0.10% less than the number of Shares included in the immediately preceding Repurchase Notice; provided that Counterparty agrees that this information does not constitute material non-public information; provided further if this information shall be material non-public information, it shall publicly disclosed immediately. If, on any date, Counterparty is not a “foreign private issuer” for purposes of the Securities Act, Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its affiliates and their respective officers,

 

18


  directors, employees, affiliates, advisors, agents and controlling persons (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all losses (including losses relating to Seller’s hedging activities as a consequence of remaining or becoming a Section 16 “insider” following the closing of the Business Combination, including without limitation, any forbearance from hedging activities or cessation of hedging activities and any losses in connection therewith with respect to the Transaction), claims, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees), joint or several, which an Indemnified Person may become subject to, as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Seller with a Repurchase Notice on the day and in the manner specified in this paragraph, and to reimburse, within thirty (30) days, upon written request, each of such Indemnified Persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, providing testimony or other evidence in connection with or defending any of the foregoing; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, Counterparty has no indemnification or other obligations with respect to Seller becoming a Section 16 “insider” prior to the closing of the Business Combination. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against the Indemnified Person as a result of Counterparty’s failure to provide Seller with a Repurchase Notice at a time when Counterparty is not a “foreign private issuer” for purposes of the Securities Act in accordance with this paragraph, such Indemnified Person shall promptly notify Counterparty in writing, and Counterparty, upon request of the Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others Counterparty may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. Counterparty shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, Counterparty agrees to indemnify any Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Counterparty shall not, without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding contemplated by this paragraph that is in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding on terms reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person. If the indemnification provided for in this paragraph is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then Counterparty hereunder, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities. The remedies provided for in this paragraph are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity. The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this paragraph shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of the termination of the Transaction.

 

(i)

Transfer or Assignment. The Seller may freely transfer or assign the rights and duties under this Confirmation. If at any time following the closing of the Business Combination at which (A) the Section 16 Percentage exceeds the Section 16 Threshold, or (B) the Share Amount exceeds the Applicable Share Limit (if any applies) (any such condition described in clause (A) or (B), an “Excess Ownership Position”), Seller is unable to effect a transfer or assignment of a portion of the Transaction to a third party on pricing terms reasonably acceptable to Seller and within a time period reasonably acceptable to Seller such that no Excess Ownership Position exists, then Seller may designate any Local Business Day as an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction (the “Terminated Portion”), such that following such partial termination no Excess Ownership Position exists. In the event that Seller so designates an Early Termination Date with respect to a portion of the Transaction, a portion of the Shares with respect to the Transaction shall be delivered to Counterparty as if the Early Termination Date was the Valuation Date in respect of a Transaction having terms identical to the Transaction and a Number of Shares equal to the number of Shares underlying the Terminated Portion. The “Section 16 Threshold” means (x) if Counterparty is a “foreign private issuer” for purposes of the Securities Act, infinity and (y) in all other cases, 9.9%. The “Section 16 Percentage” as of any day is the fraction, expressed as a percentage, as determined by Seller, (A) the numerator of which is the number of Shares that Seller and each person subject to aggregation of Shares with Seller under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder and all persons who may form a “group” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act) with Seller directly or indirectly beneficially own (as defined under Section 13 or Section 16 of the Exchange Act and rules promulgated thereunder) (the “Seller Group” ) and (B) the denominator of which is the number of Shares outstanding.

 

19


The “Share Amount” as of any day is the number of Shares that Seller and any person whose ownership position would be aggregated with that of Seller and any group (however designated) of which Seller is a member (Seller or any such person or group, a “Seller Person”) under any law, rule, regulation, regulatory order or organizational documents or contracts of Counterparty that are, in each case, applicable to ownership of Shares (“Applicable Restrictions”), owns, beneficially owns, constructively owns, controls, holds the power to vote or otherwise meets a relevant definition of ownership under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Seller in its sole discretion.

The “Applicable Share Limit” means a number of Shares equal to (A) the minimum number of Shares that could give rise to reporting or registration obligations or other requirements (including obtaining prior approval from any person or entity) of a Seller Person, or could result in an adverse effect on a Seller Person, under any Applicable Restriction, as determined by Seller in its sole discretion, minus (B) 0.1% of the number of Shares outstanding.

 

(j)

Indemnification. Counterparty agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller, its affiliates and its assignees and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and controlling persons (each such person being an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all losses (but not including financial losses to an Indemnified Party relating to the economic terms of the Transaction provided that the Counterparty performs its obligations under this Confirmation in accordance with its terms), claims, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) expenses, joint or several, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnified Party arising out of, in connection with, or relating to, investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Indemnified Parties and the Counterparty or between any of the Indemnified Parties and any third party, or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute or at common law or otherwise or under the laws of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon the Transaction, including the execution or delivery of this Confirmation the performance by the Counterparty of its obligations under the Transaction, any breach of any covenant, representation or warranty made by Counterparty in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form, regulatory filings and submissions made by or on behalf of the Counterparty related to the Transaction (other than as relates to any information provided in writing by or on behalf of Seller or its affiliates), or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, including the Registration Statement or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration statement, press release, filings or other document, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that Counterparty has no indemnification obligations with respect to any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense related to the manner in which Seller sells, or arising out of any sales by Seller of, the Subject Shares or any other Shares owned by Seller. Counterparty will not be liable under the foregoing indemnification provision to the extent that any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense is found in a nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted solely from Seller’s material breach of any covenant, representation or other obligation in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form or from Seller’s willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith in performing the services that are subject of the Transaction. If for any reason the foregoing indemnification is unavailable to any Indemnified Party or insufficient to hold harmless any Indemnified Party, then Counterparty shall contribute, to the maximum extent permitted by law, to the amount paid or payable by the Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability. In addition (and in addition to any other Reimbursement of Legal Fees and other Expenses contemplated by this Confirmation), Counterparty will reimburse any Indemnified Party for all reasonable, out-of-pocket, expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense or settlement of any pending or threatened claim or any action, suit or proceeding arising therefrom, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto and whether or not such claim, action, suit or proceeding is initiated or brought by or on behalf of Counterparty. Counterparty also agrees that no Indemnified Party shall have any liability to Counterparty or any person asserting claims on behalf of or in right of Counterparty in connection with or as a result of any matter referred to in this Confirmation except to the extent that any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses incurred by Counterparty result from such Indemnified Party’s breach of any covenant, representation or

 

20


  other obligation in this Confirmation or the ISDA Form or from the gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of the Indemnified Party or breach of any U.S. federal or state securities laws or the rules, regulations or applicable interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The provisions of this paragraph shall survive the completion of the Transaction contemplated by this Confirmation and any assignment and/or delegation of the Transaction made pursuant to the ISDA Form or this Confirmation shall inure to the benefit of any permitted assignee of Seller.

 

(k)

Amendments to Equity Definitions.

 

  (i)

Section 12.6(a)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by (i) deleting from the fourth line thereof the word “or” after the word “official” and inserting a comma therefor, and (ii) deleting the semi-colon at the end of subsection (B) thereof and inserting the following words therefor “or (C) the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1) through (9) of the ISDA Form with respect to that Issuer.”; and

 

  (ii)

Section 12.6(c)(ii) of the Equity Definitions is hereby amended by replacing the words “the Transaction will be cancelled,” in the first line with the words “Seller will have the right, which it must exercise or refrain from exercising, as applicable, in good faith acting in a commercially reasonable manner, to cancel the Transaction,”;

 

(l)

Waiver of Jury Trial. Each party waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial by jury in respect of any suit, action or proceeding relating to the Transaction. Each party (i) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of either party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would not, in the event of such a suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce the foregoing waiver and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into the Transaction, as applicable, by, among other things, the mutual waivers and certifications provided herein.

 

(m)

Attorney and Other Fees. Subject to clause (d) Indemnification (above), in the event of any legal action initiated by any party arising under or out of, in connection with or in respect of, this Confirmation or the Transaction, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses incurred in such action, as determined and fixed by the court.

 

(n)

Tax Disclosure. Effective from the date of commencement of discussions concerning the Transaction, Counterparty and each of its employees, representatives, or other agents may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the Transaction and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to Counterparty relating to such tax treatment and tax structure.

 

(o)

Securities Contract; Swap Agreement. The parties hereto intend for (i) the Transaction to be (a) a “securities contract” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, in which case each payment and delivery made pursuant to the Transaction is a “termination value,” “payment amount” or “other transfer obligation” within the meaning of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code and a “settlement payment,” within the meaning of Section 546 of the Bankruptcy Code, and (b) a “swap agreement” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, with respect to which each payment and delivery hereunder or in connection herewith is a “termination value,” “payment amount” or “other transfer obligation” within the meaning of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code and a “transfer,” as such term is defined in Section 101(54) of the Bankruptcy Code and a “payment or other transfer of property” within the meaning of Sections 362 and 546 of the Bankruptcy Code, and the parties hereto to be entitled to the protections afforded by, among other Sections, Sections 362(b)(6), 362(b)(17), 546(e), 546(g), 555 and 560 of the Bankruptcy Code, (ii) a party’s right to liquidate, terminate and accelerate the Transaction and to exercise any other remedies upon the occurrence of any Event of Default under the ISDA Form with respect to the other party to constitute a “contractual right” as described in the Bankruptcy Code, and (iii) each payment and delivery of cash, securities or other property hereunder to otherwise constitute a “margin payment” or “settlement payment” and a “transfer” as defined in the Bankruptcy Code.

 

(p)

Process Agent. For the purposes of Section 13(c) of the ISDA Form:

 

21


Seller appoints as its Process Agent: None

Counterparty appoints as its Process Agent: None.

[Signature page follows]

 

22


Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the terms of our agreement by executing a copy of this Confirmation and returning it to us at your earliest convenience.

 

Very truly yours,
VELLAR OPPORTUNITY FUND SPV LLC – SERIES 8
By:  

/s/ Solomon Cohen

Name:   Solomon Cohen
Title:   Authorized Signatory

 

Agreed and accepted by:
10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP. II
By:  

/s/ Hans Thomas

Name:   Hans Thomas
Title:   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, INC.
By:  

/s/ Alan Kessler

Name:   Alan Kessler
Title:   Chairman and CEO

 

23


SCHEDULE A

FORM OF PRICING DATE NOTICE

Date: [•], 2022

To: 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (“Counterparty”)

Address: [•]

Phone: [•]

From: Vellar Opportunity Fund SPV LLC – Series 8 (“Seller”)

Re: OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction

1. This Pricing Date Notice supplements, forms part of, and is subject to the Confirmation Re: OTC Equity Prepaid Forward Transaction dated as of [•], 2022 (the “Confirmation”) between Counterparty and Seller, as amended and supplemented from time to time. All provisions contained in the Confirmation govern this Pricing Date Notice except as expressly modified below.

2. The purpose of this Pricing Date Notice is to confirm certain terms and conditions of the Transaction entered into between Seller and Counterparty pursuant to the Confirmation.

Pricing Date: [•], 2022

Number of Recycled Shares: [•]

Number of Additional Shares: [•] (if any)

 

24

Exhibit 99.1

AFRICAN AGRICULTURE, A GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY COMPANY, TO LIST ON NASDAQ VIA PLANNED MERGER WITH 10X CAPITAL VENTURE ACQUISITION CORP II (NASDAQ: VCXA)

NEW YORK, November 2, 2022 —

 

   

African Agriculture Inc. (“AAGR” or the “Company”) has entered into a merger agreement with 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: VCXA).

 

   

AAGR is led by a management team and board of directors with deep roots and a track record of success on the African continent.

 

   

AAGR manages extensive farmland in West Africa, including an alfalfa farm it currently operates on approximately 750 acres of a total of 62,000 acres of dedicated farmland in Senegal, with approximately 500,000 acres of farmland under contract in Niger.

 

   

Alfalfa was a $21 billion global market in 2021. Global prices of alfalfa have increased by approximately 50% since 2021, driven in part by rising demand for proteins from emerging economies, impacts from the onset of the war in Ukraine and droughts in California and Europe.

 

   

Alfalfa is a critical input for the dairy and livestock industries. With the goal of producing alfalfa in Africa at a larger scale and significantly lower cost than in other global markets, AAGR’s mission is to provide food security to farmers and consumers globally, ensuring access to feedstock, dairy and meat.

 

   

In addition to its primary crop, alfalfa, AAGR intends to promote sustainability and generate significant carbon credits by leveraging Western farming technology and participating in the Great Green Wall project in Niger.

 

   

Business combination based on a pre-money enterprise value for AAGR of $450 million.

 

   

10X II and African Agriculture have secured a $100 million equity line of credit facility from an affiliate of Yorkville Advisors.

 

   

10X II has secured an up to $100 million backstop commitment to help offset the impact of potential shareholder redemptions from a client of Cohen & Company Financial Management, LLC (“Cohen”).

 

   

Merger expected to be completed by 1H 2023; combined company expected to be listed on NASDAQ.

African Agriculture, Inc. (“AAGR” or the “Company”), a global food security company operating a commercial-scale alfalfa farm on the African continent to meet the growing demand for agricultural commodities globally, and 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: VCXA; Warrants VCXAW) (“10X II”), a special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) sponsored by 10X Capital, today announced the execution of a definitive Business Combination Agreement. Upon closing of the transaction, which values AAGR at an estimated enterprise value of $450 million, the combined company is expected to list its shares on the NASDAQ stock market.

Through the transaction, AAGR will receive additional capital for expanding its current and planned farming operations. 10X II and AAGR have secured a $100 million standby equity financing facility from YA II PN, LTD., an affiliate of Yorkville Advisors. 10X II has also entered into a forward purchase agreement with a client of Cohen, whereby such party has agreed to purchase, if applicable, shares of 10X II’s Class A ordinary shares prior to the closing of the business combination for a purchase price of up to $100 million in the event of potential redemptions by 10X II’s shareholders. Entities and funds managed by Cohen own equity interests in 10X II’s Sponsor.


AAGR’s lead investor and majority shareholder is Global Commodities and Investments Limited, a natural resources-focused investment firm owned by Switzerland-based entrepreneur Frank Timis, who has a track record of success in West African mining and infrastructure, including one of the largest natural gas discoveries on the Atlantic margin in Senegal’s history.

The combined public company will be led by current AAGR CEO Alan Kessler. Mr. Kessler is South African-born and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia Business School. He has served as an investment banker and research analyst at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, and later led IPOs for multiple African commodity companies. Mr. Kessler said, “Becoming a U.S. listed publicly traded company creates a significant opportunity for African Agriculture. The enhanced access to capital will allow us to continue to scale and grow our footprint to become a leading producer of alfalfa globally and grow our platform to further solidify our leading position in the field of protein security. Our access to abundant water and flexible logistics gives us the tools to restore the historical European breadbasket in the Senegal-Mauritania river valley, with further expansion potential into carbon credits with our sustainability-focused Great Green Wall project on approximately 500,000 acres in Niger.”

Partnership with 10X II

Hans Thomas, CEO of 10X Capital, commented, “The war in Ukraine this year and the drought we’ve been experiencing in California shine a spotlight on one of the biggest problems we have in the world: food security. With supply chains disrupted, grocery prices soaring, and many people globally facing acute shortages of grain, dairy and meat, we believe Alan and the AAGR team will provide farmers and consumers with real food security at a time of significant population and demand growth, via a valuable, simple solution,”

Mr. Thomas continued, “What they’ve achieved in their initial phase of farm development is already remarkable, and according to the World Bank, Africa contains over 60% of the world’s arable land, so in addition to the over half a million acres they currently have access to, I believe there is a direct line of sight to achieving tremendous scale in production. The crop they are initially producing, alfalfa, is one that often has high yields and is in high demand by farmers and consumers alike. They are operating in one of the fastest growing regions in the world with a strong need for food security. With its focus on sustainability and other ESG goals, AAGR expects to generate a positive economic impact by fostering higher crop productivity and generating carbon credits.”

Differentiated Platform

Alfalfa is one of the most critical and valuable agricultural commodities in the world, and is one of the highest yielding vegetation-based protein crops. The estimated market was $21 billion in 2021, and further estimated to increase to $35 billion by 2028 in a consensus of reports from Fortune Business Insights. Alfalfa is a key feed input for the dairy and livestock industries, and the price of the commodity has increased significantly within the last three years.

AAGR has over 62,000 acres of farmland in Senegal which are dedicated to current and planned alfalfa production, surrounded by abundant water resources including a 43,000 acre freshwater lake and a 2 million cubic foot per day river. AAGR estimates its cost per acre foot is an order of magnitude lower than the equivalent water price in California which offers a material production cost advantage and, when coupled with higher crop yields and shorter transportation distances, provides AAGR with a highly competitive and strategic position. AAGR operates a 750 acre alfalfa project on its initial farmland in Senegal, with room to expand alfalfa production across its 62,000 acres and realize large scale efficiencies. By comparison, the average farm in the United States is less than 445 acres. The Company has performed multiple cuts in 2022, with the harvest being sold locally in Senegal, and is actively preparing its facilities and product for export markets.


In addition to Senegal, the Company has signed agreements for approximately 500,000 acres of arable farmland in Niger. In the West African region, AAGR is strategically placed to take advantage of a growing market, conveniently located near its key consumption markets.

AAGR is actively seeking additional farmland across the Senegal-Mauritania river valley and the rest of the African continent, especially in the areas of primary production of cattle feed.

Logistics

Expanded port access within reach of the alfalfa farm greatly expands AAGR’s ability to export product, and aligns the pricing of its alfalfa products to global pricing, especially in the area of the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf. The LFT AAGR farm is located less than 85 km from the city of Saint Louis in Senegal, which is situated on the Atlantic coast of the country and includes port facilities, and approximately 300 km from the Port of Dakar, which is managed by Dubai Ports World.

Food Security

Global food security is increasingly in focus. Several stressors on the food supply chain ranging from urbanization, to soil degradation, water insecurity and fragile logistics systems, require diversification of sources of feedstock for farm animals and shorter distances to offtake markets. AAGR believes it is uniquely situation to become a primary producer of a key strategic crop and minimize of supply chain disruptions, which if achieved, have large value creation potential.

Impactful Nature of Business Operations

By virtue of its geographical proximity to its consumption markets, the Company is greatly reducing the global carbon footprint of alfalfa. The nautical distance from Dakar to the Persian Gulf is approximately half the distance from the western United States to the Persian Gulf (7,346 nautical miles vs 14,602 nm). Protein access, nutrition, employment, sustainable irrigation, fertilizer and power programs further enhance the Company’s aspiration to adhere to every one of the seventeen United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together with its academic partner, Louisiana State University’s Agcenter, AAGR is further exploring mechanisms to reduce scope 3 methane emissions in cattle via feed based techniques.

Experienced Management Team

In addition to CEO Alan Kessler, the African Agriculture management team has extensive experience in global markets and operating businesses at scale in Africa.

Harry Green, AAGR’s CFO, brings decades of multi-industry experience, including with various private equity and hedge fund platforms. Mr. Green began his career at Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette (DLJ). Mr. Green has an MBA from the Wharton School of Business. Mr. Green was born and raised in South Africa.

AAGR’s team on the ground in Africa is experienced in operating at scale on the continent, with decades of industry experience in the region. Gora Seck, the President of AAGR’s Senegal operations has decades of experience in Senegal. Edward Meiring, AAGR’s Head of Farming, brings over 40 years of multigenerational experience in the farming sector as an agricultural specialist focused on quality control for large multinational exports. Kiran Shylaga, AAGR’s Chief Technical Officer, brings over 15 years of experience in the field of plant tissue culture, specializing in horticulture and floriculture crops, aligning with the greenfield development of the Ethiopian Sugar Institute. Elad Harzahav, AAGR’s Head of Logistics, and Technology Integration, brings more than 20 years of military experience and expertise, serving at the highest levels of Israel’s security and intelligence and responsible for safeguarding both internal and external state security. Javier Orellana, AAGR’s Chief Operating Officer, Senegal Operations, brings operational experience in agronomy from Bayer CropScience.


AAGR’s board of directors includes Orim Graves, CFA, Executive Director of the National Association of Securities Professionals and former Chief Investment Officer for the City of Philadelphia Board of Pensions and Retirement; Russell Read, former Chief Investment Officer of CalPERS, the Alaska Permanent Fund, and the Gulf Investment Corporation; Ambassador Modest Jonathan Mero, the outgoing Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to the United Nations; Daphne Michelle Titus, a career member of the United States Department of State Senior Foreign Service and one of the State Department’s premier Africanists; and Ambassador (ret) Bisa Williams, Senior Fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and former U.S. Ambassador to Niger under President Barack Obama.

Key Transaction Terms

The Boards of Directors of each of the Company and 10X II has unanimously approved the proposed merger, which is expected to be completed in the first half of 2023, subject to regulatory approval, the approval of the proposed merger by the Company’s stockholders and 10X II’s shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions.

Financial and Legal Advisors

Canaccord Genuity is serving as a financial advisor to 10X II on this transaction. Latham & Watkins LLP is legal counsel to 10X II. Morrison Cohen LLP is legal counsel to the Company.

About African Agriculture

African Agriculture, Inc. is a global food security company based in New York, which currently operates an alfalfa farm in Senegal and owned additional arable land on the African continent to meet the growing demand for agricultural commodities globally. For more information, visit https://africanagriculture.com/our-focus.

About 10X Capital

10X Capital is a venture capital and investment firm at the nexus of Wall Street and Silicon Valley, aligning institutional capital with high growth ventures, and promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 10X Capital invests across the capital structure, with a focus on companies using technology to disrupt major industries, including finance, healthcare, natural resources, transportation, infrastructure and real estate. For more information, visit https://www.10XCapital.com/.

10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp II (Nasdaq: $VCXA) is a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by 10X Capital, focused on identifying high growth businesses domestically and abroad and bringing them to the public markets. For more information, visit https://www.10XSPAC.com/.

Additional Information

In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will become the wholly-owned subsidiary of 10X II and 10X II will be renamed African Agriculture Holdings Inc. as of the closing of the proposed transaction. 10X II is expected to file a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Form S-4”) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that will include a proxy statement and prospectus of 10X II. 10X and the Company urge investors, shareholders and other interested persons to read, when available, the Form S-4, including the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and documents incorporated by reference therein, as well as other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction, as these materials will contain important information about the Company, 10X II and the proposed transaction. Such


persons can also read 10X II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, for a description of the security holdings of 10X II’s officers and directors and their respective interests as security holders in the consummation of the proposed transaction. When available, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to 10X II’s shareholders. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of such documents and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by 10X II, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus can be obtained, when available, without charge, from 10X II’s website https://www.10xspac.com/. Before making any voting decision, investors and security holders of 10X II and the Company, and other interested parties, are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed business combination.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbour provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the proposed business combination between 10X II and the Company, the benefits of the proposed business combination, the anticipated timing of the proposed business combination, the services offered by the Company and the markets in which the Company intends to operate, business strategies, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, the effects of regulations and 10X II’s or the Company’s projected future results. Words such as “expect”, “estimate”, “project”, “budget”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “believes”, “predicts”, “potential”, “continue”, and similar expressions (including the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements use these words or 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 neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of 10X II’s securities; (ii) the risk that the proposed business combination may not be completed by 10X II’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline sought by 10X II; (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed business combination, including the approval of the proposed business combination by the shareholders of 10X II and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed business combination on the Company’s business relationships, performance, and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans of the Company and potential difficulties in the Company employee retention as a result of the proposed business combination; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against 10X II or the Company related to the agreement and plan of merger or the proposed business combination; (vii) the ability to maintain the listing of 10X II’s securities on Nasdaq; (viii) the price of 10X II’s securities, including volatility resulting from changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which the Company operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting the Company’s business and changes in the combined capital structure; (ix) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities; and (x) the impact of fluctuations in agricultural commodity prices and related costs, as well as global demand for the Company’s products based on end-demand for crops,


supply and quality issues, or any other reason; (xi) the Company’s reliance upon irrigation systems, public water sources and other resources subject to regulatory control by foreign governments; (xii) the international nature of the Company’s proposed business, including adverse trade policies, changes in laws, inflation, exchange controls, and civil or political instability; and (xiii) risks related to adverse weather conditions, including as a result of climate change, affecting the quality and price of agricultural products. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in 10X II’s final proxy statement/prospectus to be contained in the Form S-4 registration statement, including those under “Risk Factors” therein, 10X II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by 10X II 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 10X II and the Company assume no obligation and, except as required by law, do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Neither 10X II nor the Company gives any assurance that either 10X II or the Company will achieve its expectations.

Participants in the Solicitation

10X II, the Company and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of their management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of 10X II’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names, affiliations and interests of 10X II’s directors and executive officers in 10X II’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of 10X II’s shareholders in connection with the proposed transaction will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed transaction when available. Information concerning the interests of 10X II’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of 10X II’s equity holders generally, will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the potential transaction and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of 10X II, the Company or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act.

CONTACTS:

For African Agriculture:

Investors: ak@africanagriculture.com

Media: Maxine Gordon, mg@africanagriculture.com

For 10X Capital:

Investors: IR@10xcapital.com

SPAC Website: www.10xspac.com