false 0001827075 0001827075 2023-03-14 2023-03-14

 

 

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): March 14, 2023

 

 

CVENT HOLDING CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39709   98-1560055
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1765 Greensboro Station Place, 7th Floor

Tysons, VA 22102

(Address of principal executive offices)

(703) 226-3500

(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

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value   CVT   The NASDAQ Global Market

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

Emerging growth company ☐

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

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Merger Agreement

On March 14, 2023, Cvent Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Capstone Borrower, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Capstone Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”). Parent and Merger Sub are affiliates of funds managed by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the “Merger”).

A special committee (the “Special Committee”) of the board of directors of the Company (the “Company Board”), comprised solely of disinterested and independent members of the Company Board, unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the Merger Agreement providing for the Merger, in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), and the other transaction documents contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transaction Documents”), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations thereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Board approve and adopt the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Documents. The Company Board, acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee, unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into the Merger Agreement providing for the Merger, in accordance with DGCL, and the other Transaction Documents, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Documents by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations thereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein; (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company’s stockholders adopt the Merger Agreement in accordance with the DGCL; and (iv) directed that the adoption of the Merger Agreement be submitted for consideration by the Company’s stockholders at a meeting thereof.

Effect on Capital Stock

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, except as may be otherwise agreed between Parent and the stockholders of the Company, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), (i) each share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Company Common Stock”) that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares of Company Common Stock that are held by the Company as treasury stock or owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiaries thereof, or any shares of Company Common Stock as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised in accordance with Delaware law), will be automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive cash in an amount equal to $8.50, without interest thereon (the “Per Share Price”), and (ii) each share of Company Common Stock that is held by the Company as treasury stock or owned by Parent, Merger Sub or any other subsidiaries thereof, in each case, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, will be automatically cancelled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or consideration paid therefor.

Representations and Warranties and Covenants

The Company, Parent and Merger Sub have each made customary representations, warranties and covenants in the Merger Agreement. Among other things, (i) the Company has agreed, subject to certain exceptions, to use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business and preserve intact in all material respects its significant commercial relationships with third parties, from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, and not to take certain actions prior to the Effective Time without the prior written consent of Parent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and (ii) from the date of the Merger Agreement until the earlier of the Effective Time or the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Company agreed not to solicit or engage in discussions or negotiations regarding any alternative business combination transaction.

 

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Treatment of Company Equity Awards

Each Company stock option that is vested and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or that vests in accordance with its terms as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (the “Transactions”) (a “Vested Company Option”), in each case, with an exercise price per share less than the Per Share Price will, at the Effective Time, be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Vested Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess of the Per Share Price over the per share exercise price of such Vested Company Option.

Each Company Option that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time that is not a Vested Company Option (an “Unvested Company Option”) and has an exercise price per share less than the Per Share Price will, at the Effective Time, be automatically cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Per Share Price over the per share exercise price of such Unvested Company Option subject to such Unvested Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts”), which Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service through the applicable vesting dates, generally vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested Company Options for which the Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to its terms.

Each Company Option with an exercise price per share that is equal to or greater than the Per Share Price will be cancelled automatically at the Effective Time for no consideration.

Each award of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) of the Company that is vested and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or that vests in accordance with its terms as a result of the consummation of the Transactions (a “Vested Company RSU”) will automatically, at the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the Per Share Price and (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Vested Company RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

Each award of Company RSUs that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time that is not a Vested Company RSU (an “Unvested Company RSU”) will automatically, at the Effective Time, be cancelled and converted into and will become the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the Per Share Price and (ii) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Unvested Company RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts”), which Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service through the applicable vesting dates, generally vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested Company RSUs for which the Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to its terms.

Closing Conditions

The closing of the Merger (the “Closing”) is conditioned on certain conditions, including (i) the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Company Common Stock, (ii) the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, (iii) certain other approvals and clearances by government authorities, and (iv) other customary conditions for a transaction of this type, such as the absence of any legal restraint prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions and the absence of any Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The Closing will not occur prior to June 15, 2023, without the prior written consent of Parent.

Termination Rights

The Merger Agreement contains certain customary termination rights for the Company and Parent, including (i) if the Merger is not consummated by 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 14, 2023 (subject to an extension until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 14, 2024 under certain circumstances for the purpose of obtaining certain regulatory approvals, in either case, the “Termination Date”), (ii) if the required approval by a majority of the Company’s stockholders is not obtained, (iii) if the other party breaches its representations, warranties or covenants in a manner that would cause the conditions to the Closing set forth in the Merger Agreement to not be satisfied and fails to cure such breach, or (iv) if any judgment, law or order prohibiting the Merger or the Transactions has become final and non-appealable. In addition, (x) subject to compliance with certain terms of the Merger Agreement, the

 

3


Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Company (prior to obtaining the required Company stockholder approval) in order to enter into a definitive agreement providing for a superior proposal, (y) the Merger Agreement may be terminated by the Company (A) if all conditions of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Closing are satisfied or waived, (B) Parent fails to consummate the Merger three business days after the first date on which it is required to consummate the Closing pursuant to the Merger Agreement, (C) the Preferred Financing (as defined below) has been consummated or would be consummated in accordance with the terms thereof if the Closing were to occur and (D) the Company has irrevocably confirmed to Parent in writing that it is prepared to consummate the Closing and (z) the Merger Agreement may be terminated by Parent if the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) changes its recommendation.

Termination Fee

If (i) the Merger Agreement is validly terminated by (x) Parent or the Company, if the Merger has not occurred by the Termination Date (provided that all conditions to Closing, other than approval of the Merger by a majority of the Company’s stockholders, have been satisfied or waived at the Termination Date), (y) Parent or the Company, if the Company fails to obtain the required approval of the Merger by a majority of the Company’s stockholders or (z) Parent, due to the Company’s uncured breach of its representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the Merger Agreement, (ii) prior to such termination, a third party publicly announces, or provides to the Company Board, the Special Committee or the Company’s management, and does not withdraw ((A) at least five business days prior to the meeting of the Company’s stockholders or (B) prior to the date of termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances) a proposal for an alternative control transaction with the Company, and (iii) within twelve months following such termination, the Company enters into a definitive agreement providing for an alternative control transaction or consummates such transaction, the Company will be required to pay Parent a termination fee equal to $138,608,439 (the “Company Termination Fee”). The Company is also required to pay the Company Termination Fee if (i) Parent terminates the Merger Agreement because the Company Board (acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee) changes its recommendation regarding the Merger (a “Recommendation Change”) or (ii) if, prior to obtaining the required approval by a majority of the Company’s stockholders, the Company terminates the Merger Agreement to enter into a definitive agreement providing for an alternative control transaction the Company Board deems to be superior to the Transactions, and the Company has complied with its non-solicitation covenant with respect to such superior proposal. Further, Parent is required to pay the Company a termination fee equal to $276,216,878 (the “Parent Termination Fee”) if (i) the Company terminates the Merger Agreement due to Parent’s or Merger Sub’s breach or failure to perform of the representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in the Merger Agreement or (ii) the Company terminates (x) if all conditions to Closing are satisfied or waived, (y) Parent fails to consummate the Merger by the date that is three business days after the first date on which Parent is required to consummate the Closing pursuant to the Merger Agreement and (z) the Company has irrevocably confirmed to Parent in writing that it is prepared to consummate the Closing.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions is only a summary, does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this report and incorporated by reference herein. The Merger Agreement and the above description have been included to provide investors and security holders with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or Parent. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specific dates; were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement; and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties, including being qualified by confidential disclosures made by each contracting party to the other for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between them. Investors should be aware that the representations, warranties and covenants or any description thereof may not reflect the actual state of facts or condition of the Company or Parent. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations, warranties and covenants may change after the date of the Merger Agreement. Further, investors should read the Merger Agreement not in isolation, but only in conjunction with the other information that the respective companies include in reports, statements and other filings they make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Financing Commitments

Parent and Merger Sub obtained equity and debt financing commitments for the Transactions, the aggregate proceeds of which are expected to be sufficient for Parent to pay the aggregate merger consideration and all related fees and expenses of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub (including in connection with the Debt Financing, the Equity Financing and the Preferred Financing described below).

 

4


Funds affiliated with Blackstone Inc. and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (collectively, the “Equity Investors”) have committed, pursuant to equity commitment letters, dated as of March 14, 2023 (the “Equity Commitment Letters”), to, directly or indirectly, capitalize Parent, at or immediately prior to the Closing of the Merger, with an aggregate equity contribution in the amount of $2,531,000,000, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Commitment Letters. The Equity Investors have provided a limited guarantee in favor of the Company to guarantee, subject to certain limitations, the payment of such guarantor’s pro rata share of the obligation of Parent to pay the Parent Termination Fee and reasonable out-of-pocket fees, cost and expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any suit contemplated by, and solely to the extent reimbursable under the Merger Agreement (subject to a cap of $5,000,000).

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc., UBS AG, Stamford Branch, UBS Securities LLC and Citizens Bank, N.A. (collectively and each with certain affiliates, the “Lenders”) have committed to provide debt financing (the “Debt Financing”) in connection with the Merger consisting of (i) a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $100,000,000; and (ii) a senior secured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount equal to $900,000,000, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in commitment letters, dated as of March 14, 2023 (the “Debt Commitment Letter”). The obligations of the Lenders to provide the Debt Financing under the Debt Commitment Letter are subject to a number of customary conditions precedent, including the receipt of executed definitive loan documentation, the truth and accuracy of certain specified representations and warranties in all material respects, consummation of the Transactions, the repayment of the Company’s existing indebtedness under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2022, with, among others, PNC Bank, National Association as administrative agent and collateral agent and contribution of a certain amount of minimum equity.

Certain stockholders of the Company affiliated with Vista Equity Partners have committed, pursuant to a commitment letter (the “Preferred Commitment Letter”), dated as of March 14, 2023, to invest a portion of their proceeds from the merger consideration to acquire non-convertible preferred shares with an initial liquidation preference of $1,250,000,000, to be issued by Capstone TopCo, Inc., the indirect parent company of Parent (the “Preferred Financing”). Such Preferred Financing is expected to occur substantially concurrently with the consummation of the Merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Preferred Commitment Letter.

Voting Agreements

In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, certain stockholders of the Company have executed voting agreements (the “Voting Agreements”) in favor of Parent concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed, among other things, to vote all shares of Company Common Stock owned by them, collectively constituting approximately 87.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement. The adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock is the only vote or approval of the holders of any of the Company’s capital stock necessary to adopt the Merger Agreement and consummate the Merger. The Voting Agreements terminate upon a Recommendation Change.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains and the Company’s other filings and press releases may contain forward-looking statements, which include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, such as statements regarding our expectations, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “goal,” “can,” “seek,” “target” or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company. Because such statements are based on expectations as to future financial and operating results and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including: (i) the risk that the proposed Merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the Company’s business and the price of the Company Common Stock; (ii) the failure to satisfy any of the conditions

 

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to the consummation of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals; (iii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance or condition that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement, including in circumstances requiring the Company to pay a termination fee; (iv) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; (v) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts the Company’s current plans and operations; (vi) the Company’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with key business partners and customers, and others with whom it does business, including hotels and venues, in light of the proposed Merger; (vii) risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; (viii) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the proposed Merger; (ix) potential litigation relating to the Merger that could be instituted against the parties to the Merger Agreement or their respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; (x) continued availability of capital and financing and rating agency actions; (xi) certain restrictions during the pendency of the Merger that may impact the Company’s ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; (xii) unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including but not limited to acts of terrorism, war or hostilities or the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors; (xiii) the impact of adverse general and industry-specific economic and market conditions, including any impact from ongoing conflict in Ukraine and Russia, and demand for events and meetings, the return to in-person events, demand for advertising and software solutions, and demand for an integrated platform; (xiv) uncertainty as to timing of completion of the proposed Merger; (xv) risks that the benefits of the Merger are not realized when and as expected; and (xvi) other risks described in the Company’s filings with the SEC, such risks and uncertainties described under the headings “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and other sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2022, the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 3, 2022, and subsequent filings. While the list of risks and uncertainties presented here is, and the discussion of risks and uncertainties to be presented in the information statement will be, considered representative, no such list or discussion should be considered a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, and legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the completion of the Merger and/or the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

This Current Report on Form 8-K is being made in respect of the pending Merger involving the Company and Parent. The Company will file with the SEC a proxy statement on Schedule 14A relating to its special meeting of stockholders and may file or furnish other documents with the SEC regarding the pending Merger. When completed, a definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the Company’s stockholders. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO CAREFULLY READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE PENDING MERGER AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PENDING MERGER.

The definitive proxy statement will be filed with the SEC and mailed or otherwise made available to the Company’s stockholders. The Company’s stockholders may obtain free copies of the documents the Company files with the SEC from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or through the Investors portion of the Company’s website at investors.cvent.com under the link “Financials” and then under the link “SEC Filings” or by contacting the Company’s Investor Relations by e-mail at CventIR@icrinc.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the Company’s stockholders in connection with the pending Merger. Information regarding the Company’s directors and executive officers, including a description of their direct interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is contained in the Company’s 2022 annual proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 8, 2022. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their interests will be contained in the proxy

 

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statement for the Company’s special meeting of stockholders and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC in respect of the proposed Merger when they become available. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

 

ITEM 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   

Description of Exhibit

2.1    Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among Cvent Holding Corp., Capstone Borrower, Inc. and Capstone Merger Sub, Inc., dated as of March 14, 2023.*
104    Cover Page Interactive Data file (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

*

All schedules to the Merger Agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    CVENT HOLDING CORP.
Date: March 14, 2023     By:  

/s/ William J. Newman III

    Name:   William J. Newman, III
    Title:   SVP, Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 2.1

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

CAPSTONE BORROWER, INC.,

CAPSTONE MERGER SUB, INC.

and

CVENT HOLDING CORP.

Dated as of March 14, 2023


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS      2  

1.1

  Certain Definitions      2  

1.2

  Index of Defined Terms      16  

1.3

  Certain Interpretations      18  
ARTICLE II THE MERGER      19  

2.1

  The Merger      19  

2.2

  The Effective Time      19  

2.3

  The Closing      20  

2.4

  Effect of the Merger      20  

2.5

  Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws      20  

2.6

  Directors and Officers      20  

2.7

  Effect on Capital Stock      21  

2.8

  Treatment of Equity Awards      22  

2.9

  Exchange of Certificates      24  

2.10

  No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock      27  

2.11

  Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates      27  

2.12

  Required Withholding      27  
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY      27  

3.1

  Organization; Good Standing      28  

3.2

  Corporate Power; Enforceability      28  

3.3

  Special Committee Approval; Company Board Approval; Fairness Opinion; Anti-Takeover Laws      28  

3.4

  Requisite Stockholder Approval      29  

3.5

  Non-Contravention      29  

3.6

  Requisite Governmental Approvals      30  

3.7

  Company Capitalization      30  

3.8

  Subsidiaries      31  

3.9

  Company SEC Documents      32  

3.10

  Company Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Indebtedness      32  

3.11

  No Undisclosed Liabilities      33  

3.12

  Absence of Certain Changes      33  

3.13

  Material Contracts      34  

3.14

  Real Property      34  

3.15

  Environmental Matters      35  

3.16

  Intellectual Property      35  

3.17

  Tax Matters      36  

3.18

  Employee Benefits      38  

3.19

  Labor Matters      39  

3.20

  Compliance with Laws      39  

3.21

  Data Privacy      40  

3.22

  Legal Proceedings; Orders      40  

 

i


3.23

  Insurance      41  

3.24

  Sanctions; Anti-Corruption; Anti-Money Laundering      41  

3.25

  Brokers      42  

3.26

  Company Information      42  

3.27

  Related Party Transactions      42  

3.28

  Government Contracts      42  

3.29

  No Other Representations or Warranties      43  
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB      43  

4.1

  Organization; Good Standing      43  

4.2

  Corporate Power; Enforceability      43  

4.3

  Non-Contravention      44  

4.4

  Requisite Governmental Approvals      44  

4.5

  Legal Proceedings; Orders      44  

4.6

  Ownership of Company Common Stock      44  

4.7

  Brokers      45  

4.8

  Operations of Parent and Merger Sub      45  

4.9

  No Parent Vote or Approval Required      45  

4.10

  Guarantees      45  

4.11

  Financing      45  

4.12

  Stockholder and Management Arrangements      47  

4.13

  Solvency      47  

4.14

  Non-Reliance on Company Estimates, Projections, Forecasts, Forward-Looking Statements and Business Plans      48  

4.15

  Parent and Merger Sub Information      49  

4.16

  No Other Representations or Warranties      49  
ARTICLE V INTERIM OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY      49  

5.1

  Affirmative Obligations      49  

5.2

  Forbearance Covenants      50  

5.3

  No Solicitation      53  

5.4

  No Control of the Other Party’s Business      58  
ARTICLE VI ADDITIONAL COVENANTS      58  

6.1

  Required Action and Forbearance; Efforts      58  

6.2

  Antitrust, Foreign Investment and Regulatory Matters      59  

6.3

  Proxy Statement      62  

6.4

  Company Stockholder Meeting      63  

6.5

  Financing      64  

6.6

  Financing Cooperation      67  

6.7

  Anti-Takeover Laws      70  

6.8

  Access      70  

6.9

  Section 16(b) Exemption      71  

 

ii


6.10

  Directors’ and Officers’ Exculpation, Indemnification and Insurance      72  

6.11

  Employee Matters      74  

6.12

  Obligations of Merger Sub      76  

6.13

  Notification of Certain Matters      76  

6.14

  Public Statements and Disclosure      76  

6.15

  Transaction Litigation      76  

6.16

  Stock Exchange Delisting; Deregistration      77  

6.17

  Additional Agreements      77  

6.18

  Parent Vote      77  

6.19

  Certain Arrangements      77  
ARTICLE VII CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER      77  

7.1

  Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Effect the Merger      77  

7.2

  Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub      78  

7.3

  Conditions to the Company’s Obligations to Effect the Merger      79  
ARTICLE VIII TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER      79  

8.1

  Termination      79  

8.2

  Manner and Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination      81  

8.3

  Fees and Expenses      82  

8.4

  Amendment      86  

8.5

  Extension; Waiver      86  
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS      87  

9.1

  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants      87  

9.2

  Notices      87  

9.3

  Assignment      88  

9.4

  Confidentiality      88  

9.5

  Entire Agreement      89  

9.6

  Third Party Beneficiaries      89  

9.7

  Severability      89  

9.8

  Remedies      89  

9.9

  Governing Law      91  

9.10

  Consent to Jurisdiction      91  

9.11

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      92  

9.12

  No Recourse      92  

9.13

  Company Disclosure Letter References      94  

9.14

  Counterparts      94  

 

EXHIBITS

  

Exhibit A

  

Form of Voting Agreement

Exhibit B

  

Certificate of Incorporation of the Company

 

 

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AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

THIS AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of March 14, 2023, by and among Capstone Borrower, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), Capstone Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”), and Cvent Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”). Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company are sometimes referred to herein as a “Party.” All capitalized terms that are used in this Agreement have the respective meanings given to them in this Agreement.

RECITALS

A. The Company Board has established a special committee of independent and disinterested members of the Company Board (the “Special Committee”), and empowered the Special Committee to, among other things, (i) review, evaluate and negotiate a potential transaction with Parent involving the provision of financing by the Specified Shareholders (or Affiliates thereof) to Parent in the form of an investment in non-convertible preferred equity, and (ii) recommend to the Company Board what action, if any, should be taken by the Company with respect to a potential transaction that includes or contemplates such financing.

B. The Special Committee has unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company being the surviving corporation in the Merger, in accordance with the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Board approve and adopt this Agreement.

C. The Company Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, has unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the Merger, with the Company being the surviving corporation in the Merger, in accordance with DGCL upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders adopt this Agreement in accordance with the DGCL; and (iv) directed that the adoption of this Agreement be submitted for consideration by the Company Stockholders at a meeting thereof.

D. Each of the board of directors of Parent and the board of directors of Merger Sub has (i) declared it advisable to enter into this Agreement; and (ii) approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

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E. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, and as a condition and inducement to the Company’s willingness to enter into this Agreement, Parent and Merger Sub have delivered guarantees (the “Guarantees”) from Blackstone Capital Partners VIII (Lux) SCSp, Blackstone Capital Partners VIII (Ontario) L.P., Blackstone Capital Partners VIII L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership VIII — ESC L.P., Blackstone Family Investment Partnership VIII — SMD L.P., BTAS NQ Holdings L.L.C. and Platinum Falcon B 2018 RSC Limited (together, the “Guarantors”), in favor of the Company and pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions contained therein, the Guarantors are guaranteeing certain payment obligations of Parent and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement.

F. As a condition and inducement to Parent and Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement, Rajeev K. Aggarwal, Charles V. Ghoorah, David C. Quattrone, and the Specified Stockholders, in each of their capacities as stockholders of the Company, have simultaneously herewith each entered into a Voting and Support Agreement with Parent and the Company, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Voting Agreements”).

G. As a condition and inducement to Parent and Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement, the Specified Stockholders (or Affiliates thereof) have agreed to provide financing to Parent (or any direct or indirect parent company thereof) in exchange for preferred equity in Parent (or the applicable direct or indirect parent company thereof) (the “Preferred Equity Financing”).

H. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company desire to (i) make certain representations, warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with this Agreement and the Merger; and (ii) prescribe certain conditions with respect to the consummation of the Merger.

AGREEMENT

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, as well as other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and accepted, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company agree as follows:

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS

1.1 Certain Definitions. For all purposes of and pursuant to this Agreement, the following capitalized terms have the following respective meanings:

(a) “Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement” means any confidentiality agreement (i) in effect as of the date hereof or (ii) executed, delivered and effective after the date hereof and containing terms that are not materially less favorable in the aggregate to the Company than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement, except that such confidentiality agreement need not contain any “standstill” or similar provision or otherwise prohibit the making of any Acquisition Proposal, and that does not prohibit the Company from providing information to Parent in accordance with Section 5.3.

(b) “Acquisition Proposal” means any offer or proposal (other than an offer or proposal by Parent or Merger Sub) to engage in an Acquisition Transaction.

 

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(c) “Acquisition Transaction” means any transaction or series of related transactions (other than the Merger) involving:

(i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by any Person or Group, whether from the Company or any other Person(s), of shares of Company Common Stock representing more than 20% of the Company Common Stock (or voting power of the Company) outstanding after giving effect to the consummation of such purchase or other acquisition, including pursuant to a tender offer or exchange offer by any Person or Group that, if consummated in accordance with its terms, would result in such Person or Group beneficially owning more than 20% of the Company Common Stock (or voting power of the Company) outstanding after giving effect to the consummation of such tender or exchange offer;

(ii) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by any Person or Group, or stockholders of any such Person or Group, of more than 20% of the consolidated assets (including equity securities of the Subsidiaries of the Company), net revenue or net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (measured by the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Company Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee);

(iii) any direct or indirect merger, consolidation, joint venture, partnership, share exchange, business combination, recapitalization, reorganization, liquidation, dissolution or other transaction involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which any Person or Group, or stockholders of any such Person or Group, would hold, directly or indirectly, more than 20% of the equity interests or voting power of the Company or the surviving or resulting entity of such transaction after giving effect to the consummation of such transaction; or

(iv) any combination of the foregoing.

(d) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or otherwise. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) none of the Specified Stockholders or any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with or under common management with the Specified Stockholders, any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of the Specified Stockholders or any other Person that would otherwise be an Affiliate of the Specified Stockholders pursuant to this definition shall be an “Affiliate” of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that this clause (i) shall not apply with respect to the definition of “Company Related Parties”, the Equity Commitment Letters or the Guarantees) and (ii) with respect to Parent, except with respect to Section 6.2(b), the term “Affiliate” shall not include any investment fund, investment vehicle or client sponsored or advised by Blackstone or any Guarantor or any of its or their Affiliates or any of the portfolio companies (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or other investments of any such investment fund, investment vehicle or client (provided that this clause (ii) shall not apply with respect to the definition of “Parent Related Parties”, the Equity Commitment Letters or the Guarantees).

 

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(e) “Anti-Corruption Laws” means Laws in any applicable jurisdiction that relate to the prevention of bribery, corruption, kickbacks, racketeering, fraud, or other improper payments including without limitation the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

(f) “Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means Laws in any applicable jurisdiction relating to money laundering, anti-terrorism, proceeds of crime, or financial record keeping, including without limitation the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, as amended.

(g) “Antitrust Law” means the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, the HSR Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act of 1914, and all other Laws, in any jurisdiction, whether domestic or foreign, in each case that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions having the purpose or effect of monopolization or restraint of trade or significant impediments or lessening of competition or the creation or strengthening of a dominant position through merger or acquisition, in any case that are applicable to the Merger.

(h) “Audited Company Balance Sheet” means the consolidated balance sheet (and the notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2021 set forth in the Company’s Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC on March 7, 2022.

(i) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday or Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are authorized or required by Law to be closed in New York, New York.

(j) “Bylaws” means the By-Laws of the Company.

(k) “CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as signed into law by the President of the United States on March 27, 2020, together with all amendments thereto and all regulations and guidance issued by any Governmental Authority with respect thereto, including the Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster, dated August 8, 2020 and IRS Notice 2020-65.

(l) “Charter” means the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company.

(m) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

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

(o) “Company Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

(p) “Company Credit Agreement means the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 2022, as amended from time to time, among, inter alios, the Company, the other borrowers and guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and all pledge, security and other agreements and documents related thereto.

 

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(q) “Company ESPP” means the Cvent Holding Corp. 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

(r) “Company Indebtedness” means all debt outstanding under the Company Credit Agreement.

(s) “Company Intellectual Property” means any Intellectual Property that is owned or purported to be owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(t) “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, event, effect, development or occurrence that, individually or in the aggregate, has or would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities, or results of operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that none of the following, and no changes, events, effects, developments or occurrences arising out of, relating to or resulting from the following (in each case, by itself or when aggregated) will be deemed to be or constitute a Company Material Adverse Effect or will be taken into account when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred (subject to the limitations set forth below):

(i) general economic conditions, or conditions in the global, international or regional economy generally, including changes in inflation, supply chain disruptions and labor shortages;

(ii) conditions in the equity, credit, debt, financial, currency or capital markets, including (A) changes in interest rates or credit ratings; (B) changes in exchange rates for the currencies of any country; or (C) any suspension of trading in securities (whether equity, debt, derivative or hybrid securities) generally on any securities exchange or over-the-counter market;

(iii) conditions in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business or in any specific jurisdiction or geographical area in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, or changes therein;

(iv) any political or geopolitical conditions, outbreak of hostilities, armed conflicts, acts of war (whether or not declared), rebellion, insurrection, sabotage, cyberattack, terrorism (including cyberterrorism) or military actions, including any escalation or worsening of the foregoing or any threats thereof, in each case, in the United States or any other country or region in the world;

(v) earthquakes, volcanic activity, hurricanes, tsunamis, tornadoes, floods, mudslides, wild fires, nuclear incidents, foreign or domestic social protest or social unrest (whether or not violent) or other natural or man-made disasters, weather conditions, power outages or electrical black-outs, and other force majeure events, including any escalation or worsening of, or any Law or sanction, mandate, directive, pronouncement, guideline or recommendation issued by a Governmental Authority in response to, any of the foregoing, in each case, in the United States or any other country or region in the world;

 

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(vi) the negotiation, execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the announcement of this Agreement or the pendency of the Merger, including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries with customers, suppliers, lenders, lessors, business or joint venture partners, employees (including any employee attrition), regulators, Governmental Authorities, vendors or any other third Person (other than for purposes of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.5 and Section 3.6 and the related conditions to Closing);

(vii) the compliance by any Party with the express terms of this Agreement, including any action taken or refrained from being taken pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement;

(viii) any action taken or refrained from being taken, in each case, to which Parent has expressly approved or consented to in writing following the date of this Agreement;

(ix) changes or proposed changes in GAAP or other accounting standards, or in any applicable Laws (or the enforcement or interpretation of any of the foregoing) or in any regulatory or legislative conditions, including the adoption, implementation, repeal, modification, reinterpretation or proposal of any Law, regulation or policy (or the enforcement or interpretation thereof) by any Governmental Authority, or any panel or advisory body empowered or appointed thereby;

(x) any epidemics, pandemics (including COVID-19), plagues, other outbreaks of illness or public health events (including quarantine restrictions mandated or recommended by any Governmental Authority in response to any of the foregoing), including any escalation or worsening of any of the foregoing, in each case, in the United States or any other country or region in the world;

(xi) any COVID-19 Measures;

(xii) any changes in the price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock or to the Company’s credit ratings, in each case, in and of itself (it being understood that the underlying cause of such change may be taken into consideration when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred to the extent not otherwise excluded hereunder);

(xiii) any failure by the Company and its Subsidiaries to meet (A) any internal or public estimates or expectations of the Company’s revenue, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations for any period; or (B) any budgets, plans, projections or forecasts of its revenues, earnings or other financial performance or results of operations (it being understood that the underlying cause of any such failure may be taken into consideration when determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred solely to the extent not otherwise excluded hereunder);

(xiv) the availability or cost of equity, debt or other financing to Parent or Merger Sub;

 

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(xv) any Transaction Litigation or any demand or Legal Proceeding for appraisal of the fair value of any shares of Company Common Stock pursuant to the DGCL in connection herewith;

(xvi) the identity of, or any facts or circumstances relating to, the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub, or the respective Affiliates of the foregoing, the respective financing sources of or investors in the foregoing, or the respective plans or intentions of the foregoing, with respect to the Company or its business; and

(xvii) any breach by Parent or Merger Sub of this Agreement;

except, in each case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (ix), (x) and (xi) to the extent that such changes, events, effects, developments or occurrences have had a disproportionate adverse effect on the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, relative to other companies operating in the industries in which the Company and its Subsidiaries conduct business, in which case only the incremental disproportionate adverse impact may be taken into account in determining whether a Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur.

(u) “Company Options” means any options to purchase shares of Company Common Stock granted pursuant to any of the Company Stock Plans.

(v) “Company Preferred Stock” means the preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

(w) “Company Registered Intellectual Property” means all of the Registered Intellectual Property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(x) “Company RSUs” means awards of restricted stock units of the Company granted pursuant to any of the Company Stock Plans.

(y) “Company Stock Plans” means the Paypay Topco, Inc. 2017 Stock Option Plan and the Cvent Holding Corp. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

(z) “Company Stockholders” means the holders of shares of Company Common Stock.

(aa) “Company Termination Fee” means an amount equal to $138,608,439.

(bb) “Confidentiality Agreement” means the agreement listed in Section 9.4 of the Company Disclosure Letter.

(cc) “Continuing Employees” means each individual who is an employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the Effective Time (including those on vacation, sick leave, maternity leave, military service, lay-off, disability or other paid time off or leave of absence) and continues to be an employee of Parent or one of its Subsidiaries (including the Surviving Corporation) immediately following the Effective Time.

 

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(dd) “Contract” means any legally binding agreement, contract, subcontract, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease, license or sublicense.

(ee) “COVID-19” means the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including any evolutions, mutations or variants of the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, and any further epidemics or pandemics arising therefrom.

(ff) “COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place”, “stay at home”, workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester, safety or similar Law, directive, protocol or guideline promulgated by any Governmental Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the World Health Organization, in each case, in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including the CARES Act, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, as signed into law by the President of the United States on March 18, 2020, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Pub. L. 116-260, in each case, together with any administrative or other guidance published with respect thereto by any Governmental Authority.

(gg) “DOJ” means the United States Department of Justice or any successor thereto.

(hh) “Employee Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), whether or not subject to ERISA, and each other bonus, commission, stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted stock unit, performance stock unit, phantom equity, stock purchase or other equity-based, incentive compensation, profit sharing, savings, retirement, disability, welfare benefit insurance, vacation, deferred compensation, employment, individual consulting, severance, separation, termination, retention, change of control, stay bonus, and other similar plan, program, agreement or arrangement (i) that is sponsored, maintained or contributed to, or required to be maintained or contributed to, by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of any current or former employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) related to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has any current or potential liability, other than any such plan, scheme or arrangement that is sponsored by a Governmental Authority or any Multiemployer Plan.

(ii) “Environmental Law” means any Law in effect on or prior to the Closing Date relating to the protection of the environment (including ambient air, surface water, groundwater or land), public or worker health or safety (to the extent relating to Hazardous Substances), or pollution.

(jj) “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

(kk) “ERISA Affiliate” means any person under common control with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that, together with the Company, could be deemed a “single employer” within the meaning of Section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

(ll) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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(mm) “Financing Sources” means the Persons that have committed to provide and/or arrange the Debt Financing pursuant to the Debt Commitment Letter and any joinder agreements, indentures or credit agreements entered into pursuant thereto or relating thereto, together with each other Person that commits to provide or otherwise provides any Alternate Debt Financing in accordance with this Agreement, in each case, together with their Affiliates and Representatives involved in the Debt Financing or any Alternate Debt Financing and their successors and assigns.

(nn) “Foreign Investment Laws” means any applicable Laws, including any state, national or multi-jurisdictional Laws, that are designed or intended to prohibit, restrict or regulate actions or transactions by foreigners to acquire interests in or control over domestic equities, securities, entities, assets, land or interests

(oo) “FTC” means the United States Federal Trade Commission or any successor thereto.

(pp) “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied and as in effect from time to time.

(qq) “Government Contract” means any prime Contract, subcontract, task order or delivery order that is (i) between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and a Governmental Authority, on the other hand, or (ii) entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as a subcontractor (at any tier) to provide products or services in connection with a Contract between another entity and a Governmental Authority.

(rr) “Governmental Authority” means any government, political subdivision, governmental, administrative, self-regulatory or regulatory entity or body, department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality, or other legislative, executive or judicial governmental entity, and any court, tribunal, judicial or arbitral body, in each case whether federal, national, state, county, municipal, provincial, local, foreign or multinational.

(ss) “Governmental Authorization” means any authorizations, approvals, licenses, franchises, clearances, permits, certificates, waivers, consents, exemptions, variances, expirations and terminations of any waiting period requirements issued by or obtained from, and any notices, filings, registrations, qualifications, declarations and designations with, a Governmental Authority.

(tt) “Group” has the meaning as used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.

(uu) “Hazardous Substance” means any toxic or hazardous material, substance or waste, including all those defined or regulated under Environmental Laws due to its hazardous or dangerous properties or characteristics.

(vv) “HSR Act” means the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.

 

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(ww) “Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, without duplication, as of the date of determination: (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (iii) all lease obligations of such Person capitalized on the books and records of such Person, (iv) all Indebtedness of others secured by a lien on property or assets owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby have been assumed, (v) all letters of credit or performance bonds issued for the account of such Person, solely to the extent drawn upon, and (vi) all guarantees of such Person of any Indebtedness of any other Person other than a wholly owned Subsidiary of such Person.

(xx) “Intellectual Property” means all worldwide intellectual property and proprietary rights, including: (i) all patents and applications therefor (“Patents”); (ii) all copyrights, copyright registrations and applications therefor (“Copyrights”); (iii) trademarks, service marks, logos, trade dress rights and similar designations of origin and rights therein, and registrations and applications for registration thereof, together with all of the goodwill associated with any of the foregoing (“Marks”); (iv) domain names and (v) rights in trade secrets, data, know-how, inventions, methods, processes, proprietary and confidential information, in each case of clauses (i) through (v) above, to the extent protectable by applicable Law.

(yy) “Intervening Event” means any positive change, event, effect, development or circumstance that (i) was not known or reasonably foreseeable to the Company Board on the date of this Agreement (or, if known by the Company Board, the consequences of which were not known or reasonably foreseeable by the Company Board as of the date of this Agreement) and (ii) does not relate to (A) any Acquisition Proposal or (B) the mere fact, in and of itself, that the Company meets or exceeds any internal or published financial projections, forecasts or estimates for any period ending on or after the date hereof, or changes after the date hereof in the market price or trading volume of the Company Common Stock (it being understood that the underlying cause of any of the foregoing in this clause (B) may be considered and taken into account).

(zz) “IT Assets” means all computer and information technology systems, equipment, and services, including all Software, computer hardware, networks, data processing centers, and platforms.

(aaa) “Knowledge” of the Company, with respect to any matter in question, means the actual knowledge of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer and General Counsel, in each case after reasonable inquiry of such individual’s direct reports.

(bbb) “Law” means any federal, national, state, county, municipal, provincial, local, foreign or multinational, statute, constitution, common law, ordinance, code, decree, Order, judgment, rule, regulation, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Authority and any award, Order or decision of an arbitrator or arbitration panel with jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of the dispute.

(ccc) “Legal Proceeding” means any claim, action, charge, lawsuit, litigation, investigation, audit, inquiry, arbitration or other similar legal proceeding brought by or pending before any Governmental Authority, arbitrator, mediator or other tribunal.

 

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(ddd) “Material Contract” means any of the following Contracts (other than Employee Plans) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective assets, rights, property or business are bound or subject to:

(i) any “material contract” (as defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, other than those agreements and arrangements described in Item 601(b)(10)(iii) of Regulation S-K), with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as whole;

(ii) containing any covenant or other provision (A) limiting the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any line of business, (B) prohibiting or restricting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from engaging in any business with any Person, or (C) limiting the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any “most favored nation”, “exclusivity” or similar provisions, in each case of the above clauses (A) through (C), other than any such Contracts that are not material to the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(iii) relating to the disposition or acquisition of equity or assets by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries outside of the ordinary course of business pursuant to which the Company or its Subsidiaries have material continuing obligations;

(iv) with any customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who, in the year ended December 31, 2022, was one of the 15 largest sources of revenues for the Company and its Subsidiaries, based on amounts paid or payable (excluding any purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business);

(v) with any vendor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who, in the year ended December 31, 2022, was one of the 15 largest sources of payment obligations for the Company and its Subsidiaries, based on amounts paid or payable (excluding any purchase orders entered into in the ordinary course of business);

(vi) relating to or evidencing Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in excess of $15 million (excluding intercompany loans between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any Subsidiaries of the Company);

(vii) that is an agreement in settlement of a dispute that imposes material obligations on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as of the date hereof;

(viii) (A) under which it is a licensee of or is otherwise granted by a third party any ownership rights in or rights to use any Intellectual Property (other than (x) non-exclusive licenses to commercially available Software with annual or aggregate fees of less than $1,000,000, (y) Contracts that are not material to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business, and (z) employment agreements or agreements with consultants, independent contractors or other Persons who have contributed to the development or creation of Intellectual Property for or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, while the agreements set forth in clause (z) are not required to be disclosed under Section 3.13(a), such agreements shall be subject to Section 3.13(b)), and (B) under which it is a licensor or otherwise grants to a third party any ownership rights in or rights to use any Intellectual Property (other than non-exclusive licenses granted to customers in the ordinary course of business, or Contracts that are not material to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ business);

 

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(ix) any Lease relating to the Leased Real Property, in each case requiring by its terms aggregate rental payments by the Company in excess of $1,000,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022;

(x) any Government Contract requiring aggregate annual payments by or to the Company in excess of $300,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022;

(xi) is with an affiliate or other Person that would be required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act, other than any Contract solely among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries; and

(xii) that involves a material joint venture, partnership, limited liability company, profit sharing, or similar agreement from which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries recognized revenues in excess of $10 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.

(eee) “Nasdaq” means the Nasdaq Global Market.

(fff) “Open Source Software” means any Software that is (i) distributed as “free software” (as defined by the Free Software Foundation), (ii) licensed pursuant to any license that, as of the Effective Date, is a license approved by the Open Source Initiative and listed at http://www.opensource.org/licenses/alphabetical or (iii) distributed under a license that requires disclosure of source code or requires derivative works created based on the licensed Software to be made publicly available under the same license.

(ggg) “Order” means any judgment, decree, injunction, ruling, writ or order of any Governmental Authorization that is binding on any Person or its property under applicable Law.

(hhh) “Organizational Documents” means the certificate of incorporation, bylaws, certificate of formation, partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement and all other similar documents, instruments or certificates executed, adopted or filed in connection with the creation, formation or organization of a legal entity.

(iii) “Permitted Liens” means any of the following: (i) liens for Taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies either not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been established on the Audited Company Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP; (ii) mechanics, carriers’, workmen’s, warehouseman’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s or other liens or security interests that are not yet due or that are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; (iii) liens imposed by applicable Law (other than Laws in respect of Tax); (iv) pledges or deposits to secure obligations pursuant to workers’ compensation Law or similar legislation or to secure public or statutory obligations; (v) pledges and deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a similar nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business; (vi) defects,

 

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imperfections or irregularities in title, charges, easements, covenants and rights of way of record, and zoning, building and other similar codes or restrictions imposed by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any real property, in each case that do not, individually or in the aggregate, adversely affect in any material respect the current use, operation or occupancy of the applicable property or the current operations of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (vii) any non-exclusive license, non-exclusive covenant not to sue or similar contractual obligation with respect to any Intellectual Property entered into in the ordinary course; (viii) liens pursuant to any Company Indebtedness; or (ix) statutory, common Law or contractual liens (or other encumbrances of any type) securing payments not yet due, including liens of landlords pursuant to the terms of any lease or liens against the interests of the landlord or owner of any Leased Real Property unless caused by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(jjj) “Person” means any individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), limited liability company, joint stock company, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, estate, trust, firm, Governmental Authority or other enterprise, association, organization or entity.

(kkk) “Personal Information” means any information that (i) whether alone or in combination with other data, can be used to identify an individual person, device or household and (ii) is defined as “personal data,” “personal information,” “personally identifiable information” or similar terms under applicable Law relating to the processing of personal data or personal information (or such similar term).

(lll) “Registered Intellectual Property” means all United States, international and foreign (i) Patents; (ii) registered Marks; (iii) domain names; and (iv) registered Copyrights.

(mmm) “Reimbursement Obligations” means Parent’s obligations pursuant to Section 6.6(f) and Section 6.6(g).

(nnn) “Representatives” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates, and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, financial advisors, financing sources and agents and other advisors and representatives.

(ooo) “Required Financing Information” means (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company consisting of balance sheets as of the last date of each of the three fiscal years of the Company ended at least 90 days prior to the Closing Date, income statements and cash flow statements for each of the three fiscal years of the Company ended at least 90 days prior to the Closing Date and (ii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company consisting of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements as of the last day of and for each completed fiscal quarter following the most recently completed financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) (and for the corresponding fiscal quarter for the prior fiscal year) and ended at least 45 days before the Closing Date, other than with respect to any quarter end that is also a fiscal year end.

(ppp) “Sanctioned Country” means at any time, any country, region, or territory which is itself the subject or target of any comprehensive Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, the Crimea, the so-called “Donetsk People’s Republic,” Kherson, the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic,” and Zaporizhzhia regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria).

 

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(qqq) “Sanctioned Person” means any Person that is (i) listed on any Sanctions-related list issued by any the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any EU Member State, HM’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable Sanctions authority; (ii) resident or located in, operating from, or organized under the laws of, a Sanctioned Country; (iii) 50% or greater owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b); (iv) a national of a Sanctioned Country with whom U.S. persons are prohibited from dealing; or (v) otherwise a subject or target of any Sanctions.

(rrr) “Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any EU Member State, HM’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or any other applicable sanctions authority.

(sss) “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(ttt) “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

(uuu) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

(vvv) “Software” means all computer software (in object code or source code format), data and databases, and related documentation and materials.

(www) “Specified Stockholders” means (i) Vista Equity Partners Fund VI, L.P., (ii) Vista Equity Partners Fund VI-A, L.P., (iii) VEPF VI FAF, L.P., (iv) VEPF IV AIV VII, L.P., (v) VEPF IV AIV VII-A, L.P., (vi) VEPF III AIV VI, L.P., (vii) VEPF III AIV VI-A, L.P., (viii) VFF I AIV IV, L.P. and (ix) VFF I AIV IV-A, L.P.

(xxx) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person (other than a natural Person) of which securities or other ownership interests (i) having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, managers or trustees, or other Persons performing similar functions or (ii) representing more than 50% of such securities or ownership interests, in each case, are at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such first Person.

(yyy) “Superior Proposal” means any bona fide written Acquisition Proposal for an Acquisition Transaction on terms that the Company Board, acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee, has determined in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) would, if consummated, result in a transaction that would be more favorable to the Company Stockholders from a financial point of view than the Merger (taking into account (i) any changes to the terms of this Agreement, the Guarantees or the Financing offered by Parent in response to such Superior Proposal in accordance with Section 5.3(c) and (ii) the identity of the Person making the proposal and other aspects of such proposal that the Company Board, acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee, considers in good faith to be relevant, including with respect to legal, regulatory, financial, certainty of closing, financing matters, and the form, amount and timing of payment of consideration). For purposes of the reference to an “Acquisition Proposal” in this definition, all references to “20%” in the definition of “Acquisition Transaction” shall be deemed to be references to “50%.”

 

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(zzz) “Tax” means any U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges or impositions, including gross receipts, income, capital gains, profits, estimated, alternative minimum, capital stock, sales, use, or occupation, goods and services, value added, ad valorem, transfer, franchise, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, stamp, windfall profits, customs, social security, workers’ compensation, net worth, real property and personal property taxes, imposed by any Governmental Authority, together with any interest, penalties and additions to tax imposed thereon.

(aaaa) “Tax Return” means any return, declaration, report, statement, claim for refund, information return, or other document filed or required to be filed with a Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes, including any schedule or attachment thereto, and including any amendment thereof.

(bbbb) “Transaction Litigation” means any Legal Proceeding commenced or threatened against a Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates (and/or their respective directors and/or executive officers) or otherwise relating to, involving or affecting such Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, in each case in connection with, arising from or otherwise relating to the Transactions, other than any Legal Proceedings among the Parties related to this Agreement or the Financing Letters.

(cccc) “Transactions” means the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

(dddd) “Vested Company Option” means a Company Option that is outstanding and vested as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or that vests in accordance with its terms as in effect on the date hereof as a result of the consummation of the Transactions.

(eeee) “Vested Company RSUs” means a Company RSU that is outstanding and vested as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or that vests in accordance with its terms as in effect on the date hereof as a result of the consummation of the Transactions.

(ffff) “WARN” means the United States Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act and any similar state plant closing or mass layoff Law.

(gggg) “Willful and Material Breach” means a breach that is a consequence of an act or omission undertaken by the breaching party with the actual knowledge that the taking of, or failure to take, such act would cause or constitute a material breach of this Agreement.

 

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1.2 Index of Defined Terms. The following capitalized terms have the respective meanings given to them in the respective Sections of this Agreement set forth opposite each of the capitalized terms below:

 

Term

  

Section Reference

Acquisition Proposal Notice Period    5.3(c)(ii)(2)
Agreement    Preamble
Alternate Debt Financing    6.5(d)
Alternative Acquisition Agreement    5.3(a)
Blackstone    6.2(b)
Capex Budget    5.2(l)
Capitalization Date    3.7(a)
Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts    2.8(a)(ii)
Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts    2.8(b)(ii)
Certificate of Merger    2.2
Certificates    2.9(c)
Chosen Courts    9.10(a)
Closing    2.3
Closing Date    2.3
Company    Preamble
Company Board Recommendation    3.3(b)
Company Board Recommendation Change    5.3(d)(i)
Company Disclosure Letter    Article III
Company IT Assets    3.21(a)
Company Related Parties    8.3(e)
Company SEC Documents    Article III
Company Securities    3.7(c)
Company Stockholder Meeting    6.4(a)
Copyrights    1.1(xx)
D&O Insurance    6.10(c)
Debt Commitment Letter    4.11(a)
Debt Financing    4.11(a)
DGCL    Recitals
Dissenting Company Shares    2.7(c)
DTC    2.9(d)
Effective Time    2.2
Electronic Delivery    9.14
Enforceability Exceptions    3.2
Enforcement Expenses    8.3(f)
Equity Award Holders    2.8(c)
Equity Commitment Letter    4.11(a)
Equity Financing    4.11(a)
Fee Letter    4.11(a)
Financing    4.11(a)
Financing Letters    4.11(a)
Financing Sources Protection Provisions    8.4

 

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Term

  

Section Reference

Foreign Employee Plans    3.18(h)
Guarantees    Recitals
Guarantors    Recitals
Indemnified Persons    6.10(a)
Initial Termination Date    8.1(c)
Intervening Event Notice Period    5.3(c)(i)(1)
Last Condition    2.3
Lease    3.14(b)
Leased Real Property    3.14(b)
Marks    1.1(xx)
Maximum Annual Premium    6.10(c)
Merger    Recitals
Merger Sub    Preamble
Multiemployer Plan    3.18(b)
New Debt Commitment Letters    6.5(d)
New Plan    6.11(d)
Old Plans    6.11(d)
Other Indemnified Persons    6.10(e)
Other Required Company Filing    6.3(b)
Owned Company Shares    2.7(a)(iii)
Parent    Preamble
Parent Disclosure Letter    Article IV
Parent Material Adverse Effect    7.3(a)
Parent Related Parties    8.3(e)
Parent Termination Fee    8.3(c)
Party    Preamble
Patents    1.1(xx)
Payment Agent    2.9(a)
Payment Fund    2.9(b)
Payoff Letters    6.6(c)(i)
Per Share Price    2.7(a)(ii)
Preferred Equity Financing    Recitals
Privacy Requirements    3.21(b)
Proxy Statement    6.3(a)
Requisite Stockholder Approval    3.4
Special Committee    Recitals
Surviving Corporation    2.1
Termination Date    8.1(c)
Uncertificated Shares    2.9(c)
Unvested Company Option    2.8(a)(ii)
Unvested Company RSU    2.8(b)(ii)
Vested Equity Award Consideration    2.8(b)(i)
Vested Option Consideration    2.8(a)(i)
Vested RSU Consideration    2.8(b)(i)
Voting Agreements    Recitals

 

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1.3 Certain Interpretations.

(a) When a reference is made in this Agreement to an Article or a Section, such reference is to an Article or a Section of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated and references to “paragraphs” or “clauses” are to separate paragraphs or clauses of the Section or subsection in which the reference occurs. When a reference is made in this Agreement to a Schedule or Exhibit, such reference is to a Schedule or Exhibit to this Agreement, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.

(b) When used herein, (i) the words “hereof,” “hereunder,” “herein” and “herewith” and words of similar import will, unless otherwise stated, be construed to refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement; and (ii) the words “include,” “includes” and “including” will be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.”

(c) Unless the context otherwise requires, “neither,” “nor,” “any,” “either” and “or” are not exclusive.

(d) The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and does not simply mean “if.”

(e) When used in this Agreement, references to “$” or “Dollars” are references to U.S. dollars.

(f) The meaning assigned to each capitalized term defined and used in this Agreement is equally applicable to both the singular and the plural forms of such term, and words denoting any gender include all genders. Where a word or phrase is defined in this Agreement, each of its other grammatical forms has a corresponding meaning.

(g) When reference is made to any party to this Agreement or any other agreement or document, such reference includes such Party’s successors and permitted assigns. References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person.

(h) Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Agreement to the Subsidiaries of a Person will be deemed to include all direct and indirect Subsidiaries of such Person.

(i) Unless the context otherwise requires, any definition of or reference to any Law or any provision of any Law herein shall be construed as referring to such Law as from time to time amended, supplemented or modified, including by succession of comparable successor Laws and references to the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant thereto.

(j) References to any agreement or Contract are to that agreement or Contract as amended, modified or supplemented (including by waiver or consent) from time to time.

 

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(k) All accounting terms used herein will be interpreted in accordance with GAAP.

(l) The table of contents and headings set forth in this Agreement are for convenience of reference purposes only and will not affect or be deemed to affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or any term or provision hereof.

(m) The measure of a period of one month or year for purposes of this Agreement will be the date of the following month or year corresponding to the starting date. If no corresponding date exists, then the end date of such period being measured will be the next actual date of the following month or year (for example, one month following February 18 is March 18 and one month following March 31 is May 1). References to “from” or “through” any date mean, unless otherwise specified, from and including or through and including such date, respectively.

(n) The Parties agree that they have been represented by legal counsel during the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and therefore waive the application of any Law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the Party drafting such agreement or document.

(o) Documents or other information or materials will be deemed to have been “made available” by the Company if such documents, information or materials have been (i) posted to a virtual data room titled “Project Capstone” managed by the Company at www.datasite.com; or (ii) delivered or provided to Parent or its Affiliates or its or their respective Representatives, in each case, at any time prior to 12 hours in advance of the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

(p) All references to time shall refer to New York City time unless otherwise specified.

ARTICLE II

THE MERGER

2.1 The Merger. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL, on the Closing Date, (a) Merger Sub will be merged with and into the Company; (b) the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will thereupon cease; and (c) the Company will continue as the surviving corporation of the Merger and as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Parent. The Company, as the surviving corporation of the Merger, is sometimes referred to herein as the “Surviving Corporation.”

2.2 The Effective Time. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, on the Closing Date, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall cause the Merger to be consummated pursuant to the DGCL by filing a certificate of merger in customary form and substance (the “Certificate of Merger”) with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in accordance with the applicable provisions of the DGCL (the time of such filing and acceptance for record by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, or such later time as may be agreed in writing by Parent, Merger Sub and the Company and specified in the Certificate of Merger, being referred to herein as the “Effective Time”).

 

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2.3 The Closing. The consummation of the Merger will take place at a closing (the “Closing”) to occur at (a) 8:00 a.m., New York City time, remotely by exchange of documents and signatures (or their electronic counterparts), on a date to be agreed upon by Parent, Merger Sub and the Company that is no later than the second Business Day (except, if the Last Condition is Section 7.1(a), then the fourth Business Day) after the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of the last to be satisfied or waived of the conditions set forth in Article VII (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent permitted hereunder) of such conditions) (such condition, the “Last Condition”); or (b) such other time, location and date as Parent, Merger Sub and the Company mutually agree in writing; provided, further, that in no event shall Parent or Merger Sub be obligated to consummate the Closing prior to June 15, 2023, without the written consent of Parent. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to as the “Closing Date.”

2.4 Effect of the Merger. At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger will be as provided in this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the DGCL. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time all (a) of the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company and Merger Sub will vest in the Surviving Corporation; and (b) debts, liabilities and duties of the Company and Merger Sub will become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

2.5 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

(a) Certificate of Incorporation. At the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger, the certificate of incorporation of the Company shall be amended and restated in its entirety to read as set forth in Exhibit B attached hereto and, as so amended and restated, shall be the certificate of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL and such certificate of incorporation (subject to Section 6.10(a)).

(b) Bylaws. At the Effective Time, the bylaws of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time shall become the bylaws of the Surviving Corporation, except that all references to Merger Sub shall be automatically amended and shall become references to the Surviving Corporation, until thereafter amended as provided by the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation and such bylaws (subject to Section 6.10(a)).

2.6 Directors and Officers. The Parties shall take all actions necessary so that the directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the directors of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time, and the officers of the Company immediately prior to the Effective Time will be the officers of the Surviving Corporation immediately following the Effective Time, in each case, until their respective successors are duly elected or appointed and qualified or their earlier death, resignation or removal, in each case as provided in the Organizational Documents of the Surviving Corporation and by applicable Law.

 

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2.7 Effect on Capital Stock.

(a) Capital Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holders of any of the securities described in this Section 2.7, the following will occur:

(i) each share of common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Merger Sub that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically be canceled and converted into one validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation;

(ii) except as otherwise expressly agreed to in writing prior to the Effective Time by Parent and a Company Stockholder, each share of Company Common Stock that is issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Owned Company Shares or Dissenting Company Shares) will be automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive cash in an amount equal to $8.50, without interest thereon (the “Per Share Price”), in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.9 (or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, upon delivery of an affidavit (and bond, if required) in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11); and

(iii) each share of Company Common Stock that is (A) held by the Company as treasury stock or (B) owned by Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (including Merger Sub), in each case, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (collectively, the “Owned Company Shares”) will automatically be cancelled and extinguished without any conversion thereof or consideration paid therefor.

(b) Adjustment to the Per Share Price. The Per Share Price will be adjusted appropriately to reflect the effect of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend (including any dividend or other distribution of securities convertible into Company Common Stock), reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, subdivision, combination, exchange of shares or other similar change with respect to the Company Common Stock occurring on or after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time.

(c) Statutory Rights of Appraisal. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, if required by the DGCL (but only to the extent required thereby), any share of Company Common Stock that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than the Owned Company Shares) and that is held by a holder of such share of Company Common Stock who has not voted in favor of the adoption of this Agreement or consented thereto in writing with respect thereto and who has (or for which the “beneficial owner” (as defined, for purposes of this Section 2.7, in Section 262(a) of the DGCL) has) properly exercised appraisal rights with respect thereto in accordance with, and who has (and, to the extent applicable, for which the applicable beneficial owner has) complied with, Section 262 of the DGCL with respect to such share of Company Common Stock (collectively, the “Dissenting Company Shares”) will not be converted into the right to receive the Per Share Price pursuant to this Section 2.7, and holders and beneficial owners of such Dissenting Company Shares will be entitled to receive payment of the fair value of such Dissenting Company Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL unless and until any such holder (or, to the extent applicable, such beneficial owner) fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses their rights to appraisal and payment under the DGCL. If, after the Effective Time, any such holder (or, to the extent applicable, such beneficial owner) fails to perfect or effectively withdraws or loses such

 

21


rights with respect to any Dissenting Company Shares, such Dissenting Company Shares will thereupon be treated as if they had been converted into, at the Effective Time, the right to receive the Per Share Price without interest thereon and the Surviving Corporation shall remain liable for payment of the Per Share Price without interest thereon for such Dissenting Company Shares in accordance with this Agreement. At the Effective Time, any holder or beneficial owner of Dissenting Company Shares will cease to have any rights with respect thereto, except the rights provided in Section 262 of the DGCL and as provided in the previous sentence. The Company shall give Parent (i) reasonably prompt (and in any event within three Business Days) notice of any demands received by the Company for appraisal of Company Common Stock, withdrawals of such demands and any other instruments served pursuant to the DGCL and received by the Company in respect of Dissenting Company Shares and (ii) the opportunity to direct all negotiations and proceedings with respect to such demands. The Company shall not, except with the prior written consent of Parent, make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal or settle or offer to settle any such demands. Prior to the Closing, Parent shall not, except with the prior written consent of the Company (with the prior written consent of the Special Committee), require the Company to make any payment with respect to any demands for appraisal or offer to settle or settle any such demands requiring the Company to make any such payment prior to the Closing.

2.8 Treatment of Equity Awards.

(a) Company Options. Except as otherwise expressly agreed to in writing prior to the Effective Time by Parent and a holder of Company Options, at the Effective Time, each Company Option outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time with an exercise price per share less than the Per Share Price will automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be treated as follows:

(i) Vested Company Options. Each Vested Company Option shall be cancelled and converted into and will become the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon and subject to applicable withholding Taxes, equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Vested Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the excess, if any, of the Per Share Price over the exercise price per share of such Vested Company Option (the “Vested Option Consideration”).

(ii) Unvested Company Options. Each Company Option outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time that is not a Vested Company Option (an “Unvested Company Option”) shall be cancelled and converted into and will become the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon and subject to applicable withholding Taxes, equal to the product of (A) the number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Unvested Company Option as of immediately prior to the Effective Time and (B) the excess, if any, of the Per Share Price over the exercise price per share of such Vested Company Option (the “Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts”). All Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service with Parent or its Affiliates (including the Surviving Corporation or its Subsidiaries) through the applicable vesting dates, vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested Company Options for which such Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to its terms (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any terms providing for acceleration of vesting pursuant

 

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to any Employee Plans as in effect on the date hereof). Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.8(a)(ii), all Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts shall otherwise have the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) as applied to the Unvested Company Option for which they were exchanged, except for terms rendered inoperative by reason of the Transactions or for such other administrative or ministerial changes as in the reasonable and good faith determination of Parent are appropriate to conform the administration of the Cash Replacement Company Option Amounts.

(iii) Out-of-the-Money Options. Each Company Option (whether a Vested Company Option or an Unvested Company Option) with an exercise price per share equal to or greater than the Per Share Price will be cancelled without any action on the part of the holder thereof and without any cash payment being made in respect thereof.

(b) Company RSUs. Except as otherwise expressly agreed to in writing prior to the Effective Time by Parent and a holder of Company RSUs, at the Effective Time, each Company RSU outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically, without any action on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company or the holder thereof, be treated as follows:

(i) Vested Company RSUs. Each Vested Company RSU shall be cancelled and converted into and will become the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon and subject to applicable withholding Taxes, equal to the product of (A) the Per Share Price and (B) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Vested Company RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Vested RSU Consideration” together with the Vested Option Consideration, the “Vested Equity Award Consideration”).

(ii) Unvested Company RSUs. Each Company RSU outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time that is not a Vested Company RSU (an “Unvested Company RSU”) shall be cancelled and converted into and will become the right to receive an amount in cash, without interest thereon and subject to applicable withholding Taxes, equal to the product of (A) the Per Share Price and (B) the total number of shares of Company Common Stock subject to such Unvested Company RSU as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts”), which Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts will, subject to the holder’s continued service with Parent or its Affiliates (including the Surviving Corporation or its Subsidiaries) through the applicable vesting dates, vest and be payable at the same time as the Unvested Company RSUs for which such Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts were exchanged would have vested and been payable pursuant to its terms (including, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any terms providing for acceleration of vesting pursuant to any Employee Plan as in effect on the date hereof). Except as otherwise set forth in this Section 2.8(b)(ii), all Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts shall otherwise have the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting) as applied to the Unvested Company RSU for which they were exchanged, except for terms rendered inoperative by reason of the Transactions or for such other administrative or ministerial changes as in the reasonable and good faith determination of Parent are appropriate to conform the administration of the Cash Replacement Company RSU Amounts.

 

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(c) Payment Procedures. At or prior to the Closing, Parent shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) with the Company, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, the aggregate Vested Equity Award Consideration owed to all holders of Vested Company Options and Vested Company RSUs (collectively, the “Equity Award Holders”). As promptly as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than five Business Days, after the Closing Date, the Equity Award Holders will be paid by the Company or the Surviving Corporation, through its payroll system or payroll provider, all amounts required to be paid to such holders in respect of Vested Company Options and Vested Company RSUs that are cancelled and converted pursuant to this Section 2.8, less any required withholding pursuant to Section 2.12. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, to the extent that any Company RSU or Company Option constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, any payment made in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.8(a) or Section 2.8(b) shall be paid on the applicable settlement or payment date for such Company RSU or Company Option, as applicable, if required to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

(d) Company Stock Plans; Company ESPP. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or a committee thereof with necessary authority) shall take such actions as are necessary and appropriate (including adopting resolutions) to provide that (i) the Company Stock Plans and the Company ESPP will each terminate as of the Effective Time (but subject to the consummation of the Merger), (ii) no offering period will commence pursuant to the Company ESPP upon or after the date of this Agreement, and (iii) no new participants may begin participation in (or increase their deductions under the Company ESPP or otherwise make separate non-payroll contributions to the Company ESPP) the Company ESPP upon or after the date of this Agreement.

(e) Company Actions. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company Board (or a committee thereof with necessary authority) shall take such actions (including adopting resolutions) as may be necessary or desirable to approve, provide for or give effect to the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.8 and to authorize and direct the Company’s officers and employees to take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate to give effect thereto, including seeking the consent of any other Person. Prior to any adoption of any such resolution, the Company shall provide Parent with drafts of, and a reasonable opportunity to review, all such resolutions.

2.9 Exchange of Certificates.

(a) Payment Agent. Prior to the Closing, Parent shall (i) select a nationally recognized bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Company to act as the payment agent for the Merger (the “Payment Agent”); and (ii) enter into a payment agent agreement, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Company, with such Payment Agent.

(b) Payment Fund. At or immediately following the Effective Time, Parent shall deposit (or cause to be deposited) with the Payment Agent, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, for payment to the holders of shares of Company Common Stock (other than to holders of Dissenting Company Shares) pursuant to Section 2.7, an amount of cash equal to the aggregate consideration to which such holders of Company Common Stock become entitled pursuant to Section 2.7. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall, solely at the written request and direction of Parent, deposit with the Payment Agent at the Closing such portion of such an amount of aggregate consideration from the cash denominated in United States dollars and held in United States bank accounts of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as specified in such

 

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request, and, upon such deposit with the Payment Agent, Parent shall be deemed to have caused such funds to be deposited with the Payment Agent. Until disbursed in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, such cash shall be invested by the Payment Agent, as directed by Parent or the Surviving Corporation, in (i) obligations of or fully guaranteed by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States with a maturity of no more than 30 days; (ii) commercial paper obligations rated A-1 or P-1 or better by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Corporation, respectively; or (iii) certificates of deposit, bank repurchase agreements or banker’s acceptances of commercial banks with capital exceeding $1,000,000,000 (based on the most recent financial statements of such bank that are then publicly available) (such cash and any proceeds thereon, the “Payment Fund”). To the extent that (A) there are any losses with respect to any investments of the Payment Fund; (B) the Payment Fund diminishes for any reason below the level required for the Payment Agent to promptly pay the cash amounts contemplated by Section 2.7; or (C) all or any portion of the Payment Fund is unavailable for Parent (or the Payment Agent on behalf of Parent) to promptly pay the cash amounts contemplated by Section 2.7 for any reason, Parent shall, or shall cause the Surviving Corporation to, promptly replace or restore the amount of cash in the Payment Fund so as to ensure that the Payment Fund is at all times fully available for distribution and maintained at a level sufficient for the Payment Agent to make the payments contemplated by Section 2.7. Any income from investment of the Payment Fund will be payable to Parent or the Surviving Corporation as Parent directs. The Payment Fund shall not be used for any purpose other than the payment to holders of Company Common Stock as contemplated by Section 2.7.

(c) Payment Procedures. Promptly following the Effective Time (and in any event within three Business Days), Parent and the Surviving Corporation shall cause the Payment Agent to mail to each holder of record as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Owned Company Shares and Dissenting Company Shares, as applicable) of one or more certificates that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock (other than Owned Company Shares and Dissenting Company Shares, as applicable) (the “Certificates” (if any)) (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form (which will specify that delivery will be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates will pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Payment Agent), and (ii) instructions for effecting the surrender of the Certificates in exchange for the Per Share Price payable with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock formerly represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.7. Upon surrender of Certificates for cancellation to the Payment Agent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holders of such Certificates will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor an amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (x) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificates by (y) the Per Share Price, and the Certificates so surrendered will forthwith be cancelled. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no record holder of uncertificated shares of Company Common Stock (other than Owned Company Shares) (the “Uncertificated Shares”) will be required to deliver a Certificate or an executed letter of transmittal to the Payment Agent in order to receive the payment that such holder is entitled to receive pursuant to Section 2.7 with respect to such Uncertificated Shares. In lieu thereof, such record holder, upon receipt of an “agent’s message” by the Payment Agent (or such other evidence, if any, of transfer as the Payment Agent may reasonably request), will be entitled to receive in exchange therefor an amount in cash equal to the product obtained by multiplying (1) the aggregate number of shares of Company Common Stock represented by such

 

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holder’s transferred Uncertificated Shares by (2) the Per Share Price, and the transferred Uncertificated Shares will be cancelled. No interest will be paid or accrued for the benefit of holders of the Certificates and Uncertificated Shares on the Per Share Price payable upon the surrender of such Certificates and transfer of Uncertificated Shares pursuant to this Section 2.9(c). Until so surrendered or transferred, outstanding Certificates and Uncertificated Shares will be deemed from and after the Effective Time to evidence only the right to receive the Per Share Price without interest thereon, payable in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.7.

(d) DTC Payment. Prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company shall cooperate to establish procedures with the Payment Agent and the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) with the objective that the Payment Agent shall transmit to DTC or its nominee on the Closing Date an amount in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, equal to (i) the number of shares of Company Common Stock (other than Owned Company Shares and Dissenting Company Shares) held of record by DTC or such nominee immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by (ii) the Per Share Price.

(e) Transfers of Ownership. If payment of the Per Share Price is to be made to a Person other than the Person in whose name the surrendered Certificate or transferred Uncertificated Share in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of payment that (i) the Person requesting such exchange present proper evidence of transfer or shall otherwise be in proper form for transfer and (ii) the Person requesting such payment shall have paid any transfer and other Taxes required by reason of the payment of the Per Share Price to a Person other than the registered holder of such Certificate or Uncertificated Share surrendered or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Surviving Corporation that such Tax either has been paid or is not applicable.

(f) No Liability. Subject to applicable Law and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of the Payment Agent, Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any other Party will be liable to a holder of shares of Company Common Stock for any amount properly paid to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar Law.

(g) Distribution of Payment Fund to Parent. Any portion of the Payment Fund that remains undistributed to the holders of the Certificates or Uncertificated Shares on the date that is one year after the Effective Time will be delivered to Parent (or the Surviving Corporation as directed by Parent) upon demand, and any holders of shares of Company Common Stock that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Merger who have not theretofore surrendered or transferred their Certificates or Uncertificated Shares representing such shares of Company Common Stock for exchange pursuant to this Section 2.9 shall thereafter look for payment of the Per Share Price payable in respect of the shares of Company Common Stock represented by such Certificates or Uncertificated Shares solely to Parent (subject to abandoned property, escheat or similar Law), as general creditors thereof, for any claim to the Per Share Price to which such holders may be entitled pursuant to Section 2.7. Any amounts remaining unclaimed by holders of any such Certificates or Uncertificated Shares five years after the Effective Time, or at such earlier date as is immediately prior to the time at which such amounts would otherwise escheat to, or become property of, any Governmental Authority, will, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, become the property of the Surviving Corporation free and clear of any claims or interest of any such holders (and their successors, assigns or personal representatives) previously entitled thereto.

 

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2.10 No Further Ownership Rights in Company Common Stock. From and after the Effective Time, there will be no further registration of transfers on the records of the Surviving Corporation of shares of Company Common Stock that were issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than transfers to reflect, in accordance with customary settlement procedures, trades effected prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates or Uncertificated Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation for any reason, they will (subject to compliance with the exchange procedures of Section 2.9(c)) be cancelled and exchanged as provided in this Article II.

2.11 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. In the event that any Certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Payment Agent shall issue in exchange therefor, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof, the Per Share Price payable in respect thereof pursuant to Section 2.7. Parent or the Payment Agent may, in its reasonable discretion and as a condition precedent to the payment of such Per Share Price, require the owners of such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates to deliver a bond in such reasonable amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Parent, the Surviving Corporation or the Payment Agent with respect to the Certificates alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.

2.12 Required Withholding. Each of the Payment Agent, Parent, the Company and the Surviving Corporation (without duplication), and each of their respective Affiliates and agents, shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any amounts payable to any Person pursuant to this Agreement such amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld therefrom pursuant to any Law in respect of applicable Taxes. To the extent that such amounts are so deducted or withheld and paid over to the appropriate Governmental Authority, such amounts will be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person to whom such amounts would otherwise have been paid in satisfaction of the corresponding obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

With respect to any Section of this Article III, except (a) as disclosed in the reports, statements, schedules and other documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC on or after December 31, 2020 and at least two Business Days prior to the date of this Agreement (the reports, statements, schedules and other documents filed or furnished by the Company with the SEC since December 31, 2020 and those filed or furnished to the SEC subsequent to the date of this Agreement, including any amendments thereto, the “Company SEC Documents”) (other than any disclosures contained (i) in the risk factors sections of such Company SEC Documents, except to the extent such information consists of factual and/or historical statements, and (ii) in any forward-looking statements in such Company SEC Documents that are of a nature that they speculate about future developments), it being understood that any matter disclosed in such Company SEC Documents shall not be deemed disclosed for purposes of Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3(c), 3.3(d), 3.4, 3.7 and 3.25; or (b) subject to the terms of Section 9.13, as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by the Company to Parent and Merger Sub on the date of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Letter”), the Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub as follows:

 

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3.1 Organization; Good Standing. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own, lease or operate its properties, rights and assets, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities make such qualification necessary (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing), except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not in violation of its Organizational Documents in any material respect.

3.2 Corporate Power; Enforceability. The Company has the requisite corporate power and authority to (a) execute and deliver this Agreement; (b) perform its obligations hereunder; and (c) subject to receiving the Requisite Stockholder Approval, consummate the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except that (A) such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar Laws affecting or relating to creditors’ rights generally and (B) equitable remedies of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought (such exceptions in clauses (A) and (B), the “Enforceability Exceptions”).

3.3 Special Committee Approval; Company Board Approval; Fairness Opinion; Anti-Takeover Laws.

(a) Special Committee Approval. The Special Committee has unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement providing for the Merger in accordance with the DGCL upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Board approve and adopt this Agreement.

(b) Company Board Approval. The Company Board, acting upon the recommendation of the Special Committee, has unanimously (i) determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and declared it advisable, to enter into this Agreement and consummate the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; (ii) approved the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Merger upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; (iii) resolved to recommend that the Company Stockholders adopt this Agreement in accordance with the DGCL; and (iv) directed that the adoption of this Agreement be submitted for consideration by the Company Stockholders at a meeting thereof (collectively, the “Company Board Recommendation”), which Company Board Recommendation has not been withdrawn, rescinded or modified in any way as of the date hereof.

 

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(c) Special Committee Fairness Opinion. The Special Committee has received the opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the various qualifications, assumptions, limitations and other matters considered in the preparation thereof as set forth therein, the Per Share Price to be received pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of this Agreement by the holders of shares of Company Common Stock (other than the holders of Owned Company Shares, the holders of Dissenting Company Shares and the Specified Stockholders) is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. As of the date of this Agreement, the foregoing opinion has not been withdrawn, revoked or modified in any respect.

(d) Company Board Fairness Opinion. The Company Board has received the opinion of Qatalyst Partners LP to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the various qualifications, assumptions, limitations and other matters considered in the preparation thereof as set forth therein, the Per Share Price to be received pursuant to, and in accordance with, the terms of this Agreement by the holders of shares of Company Common Stock (other than Parent or any affiliate of Parent) is fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders. As of the date of this Agreement, the foregoing opinion has not been withdrawn, revoked or modified in any respect.

(e) Anti-Takeover Laws. Assuming the accuracy of the representations of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in Section 4.6, each of the Company Board and the Special Committee has taken all necessary actions so that the restrictions on business combinations set forth in Section 203 of the DGCL and any other similar applicable “anti-takeover” Law or any provision of the Charter will not be applicable to the Merger or the transactions contemplated by the Voting Agreements.

3.4 Requisite Stockholder Approval. The adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative vote (in person or by proxy) of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock entitled to vote at the Company Stockholder Meeting (the “Requisite Stockholder Approval”) is the only vote or approval of the holders of any of the Company’s capital stock necessary under applicable Law, the Charter or the Bylaws to adopt this Agreement and consummate the Merger.

3.5 Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company, the performance by the Company of obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Transactions (a) do not violate or conflict with any provision of the Charter or the Bylaws; (b) do not violate, conflict with, result in the breach of, constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) pursuant to, result in the termination of, accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration pursuant to any Material Contract; (c) do not, assuming the Governmental Authorizations referred to in Section 3.6 are obtained and, in the case of the consummation of the Merger, subject to obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Approval, violate or conflict with any Law applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (d) will not result in the creation of any lien (other than Permitted Liens)

 

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upon any of the properties or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except in the case of each of clauses (b), (c) and (d) for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or liens that would not reasonably be expected to (i) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.6 Requisite Governmental Approvals. No Governmental Authorization is required on the part of the Company or its Subsidiaries in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company; (b) the performance by the Company of its covenants and obligations pursuant to this Agreement; or (c) the consummation of the Transactions by the Company, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and such filings with Governmental Authorities to satisfy the applicable Laws of states in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are qualified to do business; (ii) such filings and approvals as may be required by any applicable federal or state securities Laws, including the filing of the Proxy Statement with the SEC and compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act; (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of Nasdaq; (iv) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any applicable foreign Antitrust Laws; (v) filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, any applicable Foreign Investment Law; and (vi) such other Governmental Authorizations the failure of which to obtain would not reasonably be expected to (A) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or (B) prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.7 Company Capitalization.

(a) Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of (i) 1,500,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock; and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of Company Preferred Stock. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 10, 2023 (such time and date, the “Capitalization Date”), (A) 489,023,271 shares of Company Common Stock were issued and outstanding; and (B) no shares of Company Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding; and (C) no shares of Company Common Stock (all of which are Company Common Stock) were held by the Company as treasury shares. All issued and outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights.

(b) Stock Reservation and Awards. As of the Capitalization Date, the Company has reserved (i) 134,914,840 shares of Company Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Company Stock Plans and (ii) 16,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the Company ESPP. As of the Capitalization Date, there were (i) outstanding Company Options to acquire 49,428,528 shares of Company Common Stock; and (ii) 13,472,757 shares of Company Common Stock subject to outstanding Company RSUs. From the Capitalization Date to the date of this Agreement, the Company has not issued or granted any shares of Company Common Stock, other than pursuant to the exercise of Company Options or the vesting and settlement of Company RSUs, in each case, which were granted prior to the date of this Agreement and has not issued any Company Preferred Stock. Section 3.7(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all outstanding Company Options and Company RSUs as of the Capitalization Date, and with respect to each such outstanding Company Option or Company RSU, as applicable: (A) the employee number of the holder of such Company Option or Company RSU; (B) the grant date; (C) the applicable vesting schedule; (D) the per share exercise price; and (E) the expiration date.

 

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(c) Company Securities. Except as set forth in Sections 3.7(a) and (b), as of the date of this Agreement, there are (i) no issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company other than those which have become outstanding after the Capitalization Date and prior to the date hereof, which were reserved for issuance as of the Capitalization Date as set forth in Section 3.7(b); (ii) no outstanding options, warrants, calls, convertible or exchangeable securities or other rights or binding arrangements that obligate the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to (A) issue, transfer or sell any shares of capital stock or other equity interests in the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or equity interests (in each case other than to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof); or (B) grant, extend or enter into any such subscription, option, warrant, call, convertible or exchangeable security, or other similar right, agreement or commitment relating to any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (iii) no outstanding restricted shares, restricted share units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, contingent value rights, “phantom” stock or similar securities or rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any capital stock of, or other securities or ownership interests in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (the items in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), collectively, the “Company Securities”).

(d) Other Rights. There are no (i) voting trusts, proxies or similar arrangements or understandings to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound with respect to the voting of any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) bonds, debentures, notes or other Indebtedness of the Company having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter on which the holders of Company Common Stock have the right to vote or (iii) obligations or binding commitments of any character to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound (A) restricting the transfer of any shares of capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (B) to make payments based on the price or value of any Company Securities or (C) granting any preemptive rights, anti-dilutive rights or rights of first refusal or other similar rights with respect to any Company Securities. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company is not a party to any Contract that obligates it to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Company Securities. There are no accrued and unpaid dividends with respect to any outstanding shares of Company Common Stock.

3.8 Subsidiaries.

(a) Each of the Subsidiaries of the Company (i) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (ii) has the requisite corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own, lease and operate its properties, rights and assets, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Subsidiaries of the Company is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing in each

 

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jurisdiction where the character of its properties owned or leased or the nature of its activities make such qualification necessary (with respect to jurisdictions that recognize the concept of good standing), except where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. Section 3.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete and accurate list of all of the Subsidiaries of the Company as of the date hereof.

(b) All of the outstanding capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, each Subsidiary of the Company has been duly authorized, validly issued and is fully paid and nonassessable (to the extent applicable). The Company or a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company owns 100% of the capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, each direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company. The Company does not own, directly or indirectly, any capital stock or other equity or voting interest of, or any other securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for capital stock or other equity or voting interest of, any Person other than the Subsidiaries of the Company. No Subsidiary of the Company owns any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interest or other securities of the Company.

3.9 Company SEC Documents. Since December 9, 2021, the Company has filed all material forms, reports and documents with the SEC that have been required to be filed by it pursuant to applicable Laws prior to the date of this Agreement. Each Company SEC Document complied, as of its filing date (or, if amended or superseded by a filing prior to the date of this Agreement, on the date of such amended or superseding filing), in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, each as in effect on the date that such Company SEC Document was filed, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, in each case, that no representation is made as to the accuracy of any financial projections or forward-looking statements filed or furnished. As of the date hereof, (A) there are no outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters with respect to the Company SEC Documents received by the Company from the SEC staff and (B) the Company is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable listing and corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.

3.10 Company Financial Statements; Internal Controls; Indebtedness.

(a) Company Financial Statements. The consolidated financial statements (including any related notes and schedules) of the Company filed with the Company SEC Documents (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto); and (ii) fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited financial statements, to normal and recurring year-end adjustments). Except as has been described in the Company SEC Documents, there are no unconsolidated Subsidiaries of the Company or any off- balance sheet arrangements of the type required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

 

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(b) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company has established and maintains “disclosure controls and procedures” and “internal control over financial reporting” (in each case as defined pursuant to Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act). The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that all (i) material information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports and other documents that it files or furnishes pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC; and (ii) such material information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management 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. Neither the Company nor its principal executive officer or principal financial officer has received notice from any Governmental Authority challenging or questioning the accuracy, completeness, form or manner of filing of such certifications as of the date of this Agreement. There were no material weaknesses, or significant deficiencies that in the aggregate would amount to a material weakness, identified in the management of the Company’s assessment of internal controls as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 (nor has any such material weakness been identified since such date through the date hereof).

(c) Internal Controls. Since December 31, 2021, neither the Company nor, to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of internal control over financial reporting utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that has not been subsequently remediated; or (ii) any fraud that involves the Company’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal control over financial reporting utilized by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

3.11 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, determined, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due) that would be required to be reflected or reserved against on a balance sheet (or notes thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP, other than liabilities (a) reflected or otherwise reserved against in the Audited Company Balance Sheet or in the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including the notes thereto) included in the Company SEC Documents filed prior to the date of this Agreement; (b) arising pursuant to this Agreement or incurred in connection with the Transactions or in connection with obligations under existing Contracts or applicable Law; (c) incurred in the ordinary course of business; or (d) that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

3.12 Absence of Certain Changes.

(a) Since December 31, 2022 through the date of this Agreement, except in connection with the Transactions, the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been conducted, in all material respects, in the ordinary course of business (other than in connection with modifications, suspensions and/or alterations of operations resulting from, or determined by the Company to be advisable and reasonably necessary in response to, COVID-19, including any COVID-19 Measures) and none of the Company or its Subsidiaries have undertaken any action that, if taken after the date of this Agreement, would require Parent’s consent pursuant to Section 5.2 (other than Section 5.2(c), Section 5.2(g), Section 5.2(l), Section 5.2(m), Section 5.2(r) and Section 5.2(u) (to the extent related to the foregoing actions)).

 

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(b) Since December 31, 2022 through the date of this Agreement, there has not been any change, event, development, effect or occurrence that has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

3.13 Material Contracts.

(a) List of Material Contracts. Section 3.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter contains a true, correct and complete list of all Material Contracts, as in effect as of the date of this Agreement, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

(b) Validity. Each Material Contract (other than any Material Contract that has expired in accordance with its terms) is valid and binding on the Company or the applicable Subsidiary of the Company that is a party thereto and is in full force and effect, except where the failure to be valid and binding and in full force and effect would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, has performed all obligations required to be performed by it under each Material Contract, except where the failure to fully perform would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a breach or default pursuant to any Material Contract by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the Knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, except for such breaches and defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge of the Company, since the date of the Audited Company Balance Sheet to the date hereof, the Company has not received any notice from or on behalf of any party to a Material Contract indicating that such party intends to terminate, or not renew, any Material Contract with such party.

3.14 Real Property.

(a) The Company and its Subsidiaries own no real property.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have a good and valid leasehold interest in all of its Leased Real Property, free and clear of all liens (except for Permitted Liens); (ii) each lease, license, sublease and occupancy agreement, together with all schedules, exhibits, addenda, amendments and modifications (each, a “Lease”) with respect to material real property leased, licensed, subleased or otherwise used by the Company or its Subsidiaries as lessee or sublessee (the “Leased Real Property”), is valid and binding on the Company or its Subsidiaries and is in full force and effect and, to the Knowledge of the Company, valid and binding on, and enforceable against, the other parties thereto; (iii) true and complete copies of all Leases have been made available to Parent; (iv) neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach or default under any of the Leases, beyond any applicable grace periods and (v) to the Knowledge of the Company, all buildings, structures, improvements, and fixtures

 

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located on the Leased Real Property have been maintained in accordance with normal industry practice, are in good operating condition and repair, and are suitable for the purposes for which they are currently used in all material respects. Section 3.14 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true and complete list of all Leased Real Property, including the address of each Leased Real Property.

3.15 Environmental Matters. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (a) to the Knowledge of the Company, the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since December 31, 2020 have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, (b) no written notice, report or other written information alleging any violation of, or liability arising under, any Environmental Law has been received by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the substance of which has not been resolved, (c) no Legal Proceeding is pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under or relating to any Environmental Law, and (d) to the Knowledge of the Company, there has been no release or disposal of, contamination by or exposure of any Person to any Hazardous Substance (including by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on real property owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) so as to give rise to any liability (contingent or otherwise) under any Environmental Law for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

3.16 Intellectual Property.

(a) Section 3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all Company Registered Intellectual Property. The Company has maintained all Company Registered Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business consistent with reasonable business practices, and the Company Registered Intellectual Property is subsisting, and to the Knowledge of the Company, valid and enforceable, except for any such failures to maintain any of the foregoing that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, exclusively own, free and clear of all security interests, encumbrances or liens (other than Permitted Liens), all of the material Company Intellectual Property, and the Company or one of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, owns, or is licensed or otherwise possesses adequate rights to use, all other Intellectual Property used in and necessary for their respective businesses as currently conducted; provided, however, that the representation and warranty in this Section 3.16(b) shall not constitute or be deemed or construed as any representation or warranty with respect to infringement, misappropriation or violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Intellectual Property, which is addressed in Section 3.16(d) below.

(c) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since December 31, 2020, there have been no pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened Legal Proceedings in writing by any Person against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries alleging infringement, misappropriation or violation by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Intellectual Property of such Person or challenging the ownership, validity or enforceability of any Company Intellectual Property.

 

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(d) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, since December 31, 2020, (i) the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries has not infringed, misappropriated or violated any Intellectual Property of any Person and (ii) to the Knowledge of the Company, no Person has infringed, misappropriated or violated any Company Intellectual Property.

(e) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, no Software that is proprietary to the Company or its Subsidiaries and is distributed to third Persons incorporates, is derived from or links to any Open Source Software in a manner that would require the Company or one of its Subsidiaries to make its proprietary source code available to any Person in such circumstances, and no Person (other than employees, contractors, consultants or any other Persons, in each case, for the purpose of performing services for the Company and its Subsidiaries) has possession of, or any current or contingent right to possess, any proprietary source code of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. All Persons who created or invented any material Company Intellectual Property have assigned in writing to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries all of their rights, to the extent permitted under applicable Law, in such material Company Intellectual Property that do not vest in the Company or one of its Subsidiaries by operation of Law.

3.17 Tax Matters.

(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect:

(i) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries have timely filed (taking into account valid extensions) all Tax Returns required to be filed by it. All such Tax Returns are true, correct and complete. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return other than automatic extensions of time obtained in the ordinary course of business.

(ii) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries paid, or have adequately reserved on the Audited Company Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP for the payment of, all Taxes that are required to be paid by it (whether or not shown as due on any Tax Return).

(iii) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely paid or withheld with respect to their shareholders, creditors, employees, independent contractors, and other Persons all Taxes required to be paid or withheld and has, within the time and in the manner and to the extent required by applicable Law, paid over such withheld amounts to the proper Governmental Authority.

(iv) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has executed any waiver, except for waivers disclosed in Section 3.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter and executed in connection with any ongoing Tax examination disclosed in Section 3.17(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter, of any statute of limitations with respect to, or extended the period for the assessment or collection of, any Tax, which waiver or extension remains in effect.

 

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(v) No audits, examinations, investigations, disputes, claims or other proceedings with any Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries are presently in progress or have been threatened in writing; no assessment or deficiency of Taxes has been asserted or assessed in writing against the Company or its Subsidiaries that has not been settled, paid or withdrawn; no written claim has been made by a Governmental Authority in a jurisdiction where any of the Company or its Subsidiaries does not file a type of Tax Return that the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, is or may be subject to such type of Tax in that jurisdiction, which claim is still outstanding; and there are no liens for Taxes on any assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, other than Permitted Liens.

(vi) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (A) is a party to or bound by, or currently has any liability pursuant to, any Tax sharing, allocation or indemnification agreement, other than (I) any agreement solely among the Company and its Subsidiaries, or (II) any such agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business the primary purpose of which is unrelated to Taxes; (B) with respect to any taxable period for which the statute of limitations remains open, has been a member of an affiliated, combined, consolidated, unitary or similar group for Tax purposes (other than a group the common parent of which is the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company and which includes only the Company and its Subsidiaries); or (C) has any liability for the Taxes of any Person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law), as a transferee or successor, or otherwise by operation of Law.

(vii) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing as a result of any (i) change in method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) use of an improper method of accounting for a taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law) executed prior to the Closing, (iv) any deferred intercompany gain or excess loss account described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any corresponding or similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. income Tax Law), (v) installment sale or open transaction disposition occurring prior to the Closing, (vi) prepaid amount received or deferred revenue accrued outside the ordinary course of business prior to the Closing or (vii) election under Section 965(h) of the Code.

(b) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has participated in a “listed transaction” as set forth in Treasury Regulation § 1.6011-4(b)(2), (ii) has been in the last two years a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” in a transaction involving the distribution of stock intended to qualify for tax free treatment pursuant to Section 355 of the Code, or (iii) has deferred Taxes (which Taxes remain unpaid) or claimed any Tax credits under any applicable law, rules and regulations, order or directive of any Governmental Authority enacted, implemented or issued in response to COVID-19, including the CARES Act.

(c) Section 3.17(c) of the Company Disclosure Letter lists the tax classification of each of the Company’s Subsidiaries for U.S. federal income Tax purposes.

 

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3.18 Employee Benefits.

(a) Employee Plans. Section 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a true, correct and complete list, as of the date of this Agreement, of all material Employee Plans. With respect to each material Employee Plan, the Company has provided or made available to Parent current, accurate and complete copies of: (i) the current plan document and any amendment thereto (or, with respect to any such plan that is not in writing, a written description of the material terms thereof), (ii) any related trust agreements or other funding arrangements with respect to any Employee Plan and any amendment thereto, (iii) current summary plan description and all summaries of material modification thereto, (iv) for the most recent plan year, the Form 5500, annual reports, financial statements and/or actuarial reports and (v) the most recent U.S. Internal Revenue Service determination, opinion or advisory letter.

(b) Absence of Certain Plans. During the previous six years, none of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective ERISA Affiliates maintained, sponsored, participated in, contributed to or been required to contribute to, or has any liability (whether contingent or otherwise) or obligation with respect to, (i) a “multiemployer plan” (as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA) (a “Multiemployer Plan”), (ii) a “multiple employer plan” (as defined in Section 4063 or Section 4064 of ERISA), (iii) a plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code, Section 302 of ERISA or Title IV of ERISA, (iv) any funded welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 419 of the Code, or (v) any “multiple employer welfare arrangement” (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA), including as a consequence of at any time being considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code with any other Person.

(c) Compliance. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, each Employee Plan has been maintained, funded, operated and administered in accordance with its terms and with all applicable Law, including the applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code. Each Employee Plan that is intended to be a “qualified plan” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter, or may rely on a favorable opinion letter, issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, and, to the Knowledge of the Company, no events have occurred that would reasonably be expected to result in the revocation of the qualified status of any such Employee Plan.

(d) Employee Plan Legal Proceedings. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in any material liability to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, threatened on behalf of or against any Employee Plan or any fiduciary or service provider thereof, other than routine claims for benefits.

(e) No Welfare Benefit Plan. No Employee Plan that is a “welfare benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) provides post-termination or retiree life insurance or health benefits to any person, except as may be required by Section 4980B of the Code or any similar Law.

 

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(f) No Acceleration. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, stockholder or other approval hereof or the consummation of the Merger will not, either alone or in combination with another event, (i) entitle any current or former employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to severance pay or any material increase in severance pay, (ii) accelerate the time of payment or vesting, or materially increase the amount, of compensation due to any current or former employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) directly or indirectly require the Company to transfer or set aside any assets to fund any benefits under any Employee Plan or (iv) limit or restrict the right, if any, to merge, amend, terminate or transfer the assets of any Employee Plan on or following the Effective Time. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has any obligation to gross-up, indemnify or otherwise reimburse any current or former employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any Tax incurred by such individual under Section 409A or Section 4999 of the Code.

(g) Section 280G. None of the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Transactions shall result in any payment or benefit made by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to be characterized as an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code.

(h) Foreign Employee Plans. Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Employee Plan that is maintained outside the jurisdiction of the United States, or covers any employee residing or working outside the United States (such Employee Plans, the “Foreign Employee Plans”) which, under the applicable Law of any jurisdiction outside of the United States, is required to be registered or approved by any Governmental Authority, has been so registered and approved and has been maintained in good standing with applicable requirements of the Governmental Authority, (ii) if intended to qualify for special Tax treatment, there are no existing circumstances or events that have occurred that could reasonably be expected to affect adversely the special Tax treatment with respect to such Foreign Employee Plans, and (iii) each Foreign Employee Plan that is required under Law to be funded and/or book reserved is funded and/or book reserved, as appropriate, based on reasonable actuarial assumptions.

3.19 Labor Matters. Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth the collective bargaining agreements or works council Contracts to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as of the date of this Agreement. To the Knowledge of the Company, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no proceedings of any labor union to organize any employees of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with regard to their employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. There is no strike, lockout, material slowdown, work stoppage or other material labor dispute against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

3.20 Compliance with Laws.

(a) The Company and each of its Subsidiaries are, and since December 31, 2020 have been, in compliance with all Laws that are applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries or to the conduct of the business or operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries or to the operations and use of the Leased Real Property, except for such noncompliance that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries have all Governmental Authorizations necessary for the ownership and operation of its business as presently conducted, and each such Governmental Authorization is in full force and effect; (ii) the Company and its Subsidiaries are, and since December 31, 2020 have been, in compliance with the terms of all Governmental Authorizations necessary for the ownership and operation of its businesses; and (iii) since December 31, 2020, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received written notice from any Governmental Authority (A) alleging any conflict with or breach of any such Governmental Authorization and (B) that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers (in their capacity as such), as applicable, is under investigation by any Governmental Authority for potential non-compliance with any applicable Law, in each case the substance of which has not been resolved.

3.21 Data Privacy.

(a) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company and its Subsidiaries take commercially reasonable measures designed to protect (A) the security, integrity and continuous operation of the IT Assets used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the operation of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ businesses (and the Confidential Information, including Personal Information, stored therein or processed thereby) (“Company IT Assets”) and (B) the confidentiality and security of the trade secrets and Personal Information of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (ii) the Company IT Assets are free of any material malware, viruses, worms, Trojan horses, bugs, or other similar disabling code or instructions that would prevent the Company IT assets from performing materially in accordance with their specifications or otherwise cause material harm to the Company IT Assets; and (iii) since December 31, 2020, there have been no outages, security breaches, or material unauthorized access of the Company IT Assets or Personal Information of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except for those that were resolved without material cost or liability or the duty, under applicable Law or Privacy Requirement, to notify any Person of such event.

(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its Subsidiaries comply and since December 31, 2020 have complied with all applicable Laws, publicly posted privacy policies and legally binding industry standards regarding the collection, use, storage, disclosure and processing of Personal Information (“Privacy Requirements”).

3.22 Legal Proceedings; Orders.

(a) No Legal Proceedings. Except as would not reasonably be expected to (i) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and other than any Transaction Litigation brought after the date hereof, there are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

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(b) No Orders. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to any Order, except for those that would not reasonably be expected to (i) have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect or (ii) prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of the Company to consummate the Transactions or the ability of the Company to fully perform its covenants and obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

3.23 Insurance. The Company and its Subsidiaries have all material policies of insurance covering the Company and its Subsidiaries and any of their respective employees, properties or assets, including policies of property, workers’ compensation, directors’ and officers’ liability and other casualty and liability insurance, that are customarily carried by Persons conducting business similar to that of the Company and its Subsidiaries. As of the date of this Agreement, all such insurance policies are in full force and effect, no notice of cancellation has been received and there is no existing default or event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default by any insured party thereunder, except for such defaults that would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect.

3.24 Sanctions; Anti-Corruption; Anti-Money Laundering. None of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, or, when acting on behalf of the Company or its Subsidiaries, any officer, director or, to the Knowledge of the Company, employee or agent of the Company or its Subsidiaries in the last three years:

(a) has used any funds of the Company or its Subsidiaries for any unlawful contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense relating to political activity, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(b) has made any unlawful bribe, rebate, payoff, influence payment, or kickback or any other unlawful payment to any foreign or domestic government official or employee from funds of the Company or its Subsidiaries or given or agreed to give, directly or indirectly, any unlawful gift or similar benefit to any governmental employee, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(c) has taken any action in furtherance of an offer, provision, payment, or promise to pay anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any government official to influence official action or secure an improper business advantage for any Company or its Subsidiaries or that would otherwise violate applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(d) has engaged in any activity, practice or conduct that would constitute a violation or breach of, or otherwise violated, any applicable Sanctions or applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws, except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(e) is a Sanctioned Person or acting for or on behalf of a Sanctioned Person; or

 

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(f) is or has been, to the Knowledge of the Company, subject to any investigation by any Governmental Authority related to, or received any written communication from a Governmental Authority indicating or alleging that it is or may be in violation of or may be subject to any investigation or inquiry related to, any actual or alleged breach of any Anti-Corruption Law, Anti-Money Laundering Law, or Sanctions.

3.25 Brokers. Except for Qatalyst Partners LP and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, there is no financial advisor, investment banker, broker, finder or agent that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries who is entitled to any financial advisor’s, investment banking, brokerage, finder’s or other similar fee or commission in connection with the Transactions. The Company has made available to Parent a true, correct and complete copy of any engagement letter or other Contract (a) between the Company and Qatalyst Partners LP and (b) between the Company and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, in each case, under which any fees or expenses will become payable in connection with the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

3.26 Company Information. The information supplied or to be supplied by the Company for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will not, at the time the Proxy Statement is first disseminated to the Company’s stockholders or at the time of the Company Stockholder Meeting, 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except that no representation or warranty is made by the Company with respect to statements made therein based on information supplied by Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion or incorporation by reference therein.

3.27 Related Party Transactions. Except for indemnification, compensation or other employment arrangements in the ordinary course of business, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any Contract, agreement, commitment or transaction with or for the benefit of any Person that is required to be disclosed under Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act and that is not so disclosed.

3.28 Government Contracts. Since December 31, 2020, the Company and its Subsidiaries have established and maintained reasonable internal controls for compliance with each of their Government Contracts and all invoices submitted in connection with any Government Contract were current, accurate and complete in all material respects upon submission. Since December 31, 2020, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has (i) been suspended or debarred from government contracts by any Governmental Authority; (ii) been audited or, to the Knowledge of the Company, investigated by any Governmental Authority with respect to any Government Contract; (iii) conducted or initiated any internal investigation or made a voluntary or mandatory disclosure to any Governmental Authority or other Person with respect to any alleged or potential irregularity, misstatement or omission arising under or relating to a Government Contract; (iv) received from any Governmental Authority any written notice of breach, cure, show cause or default, in each case, that has not been cured, with respect to any Government Contract; or (v) had any Government Contract terminated by any Governmental Authority for default or failure to perform.

 

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3.29 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in this Article III or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, at Law or in equity, with respect to the Company any of its Subsidiaries or their respective business, operations, assets, liabilities, financial condition, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to Parent and Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates or Representatives of any documentation, forecasts or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except for the representations and warranties made by the Company in this Article III or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any other Person makes or has made any express or implied representation or warranty to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives with respect to (a) any financial projection, forecast, estimate, or budget relating to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses or (b) any oral or written information presented to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives in the course of their due diligence investigation of the Company, the negotiation of this Agreement or the course of the Transactions. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article IV, the Company hereby acknowledges that neither Parent, Merger Sub, nor any other Person, makes or has made or is making any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to Parent, Merger Sub, or any of their Subsidiaries or their respective business or operations, including with respect to any information provided or made available to the Company or any of its Representatives or any information developed by the Company or any of its Representatives.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB

With respect to any Section of this Article IV, except as set forth in the disclosure letter delivered by Parent to the Company on the date of this Agreement (the “Parent Disclosure Letter”), Parent and Merger Sub hereby jointly and severally represent and warrant to the Company as follows:

4.1 Organization; Good Standing. Parent (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing pursuant to the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization; and (b) has the requisite power and authority to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own, lease or operate its properties and assets. Merger Sub (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware; and (ii) has the requisite corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is presently being conducted and to own, lease or operate its properties and assets. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is in violation of its Organizational Documents.

4.2 Corporate Power; Enforceability. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has the requisite corporate power and authority to (a) execute and deliver this Agreement; (b) perform its obligations hereunder; and (c) consummate the Transactions. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by each of Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Company, constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Parent and Merger Sub, enforceable against each of Parent and Merger Sub in accordance with its terms.

 

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4.3 Non-Contravention. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub, the performance by each of Parent and Merger Sub of their respective obligations hereunder, and the consummation of the Transactions do not (a) violate or conflict with any provision of the Organizational Documents of Parent or Merger Sub; (b) violate, conflict with, result in the breach of, constitute a default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would become a default) pursuant to, or result in the termination of, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in a right of termination or acceleration pursuant to any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract or other instrument or obligation to which Parent or Merger Sub is a party or by which Parent, Merger Sub or any of their properties or assets may be bound; (c) assuming the Governmental Authorizations referred to in Section 4.4 are obtained, violate or conflict with any Law applicable to Parent or Merger Sub; or (d) result in the creation of any lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the properties or assets of Parent or Merger Sub, except in the case of each of clauses (b), (c) and (d) for such violations, conflicts, breaches, defaults, terminations, accelerations or liens that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

4.4 Requisite Governmental Approvals. No Governmental Authorization is required on the part of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by each of Parent and Merger Sub; (b) the performance by each of Parent and Merger Sub of their respective covenants and obligations pursuant to this Agreement; or (c) the consummation of the Transactions by Parent and Merger Sub, except for (i) the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware; (ii) such filings and approvals as may be required by any federal or state securities Laws, including compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act; (iii) compliance with any applicable requirements of the HSR Act and any applicable foreign Antitrust Laws; (iv) filings required under, and compliance with other applicable requirements of, any applicable Foreign Investment Law; and (v) such other Governmental Authorizations the failure of which to obtain would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

4.5 Legal Proceedings; Orders.

(a) No Legal Proceedings. There are no Legal Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Parent or any of its Affiliates, as of the date of this Agreement, threatened against Parent or Merger Sub that would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Parent Material Adverse Effect.

(b) No Orders. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is subject to any Order of any kind or nature that would prevent or materially delay the consummation of the Transactions or the ability of Parent and Merger Sub to fully perform their respective covenants and obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

4.6 Ownership of Company Common Stock. None of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective directors, officers, or to the knowledge of Parent, any of its Affiliates or any employees of Parent or Merger Sub (a) has owned any shares of Company Common Stock; or (b) is or has been an “interested stockholder” (as defined in Section 203 of the DGCL) of the Company, in each case during the three years prior to the date of this Agreement.

 

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4.7 Brokers. There is no financial advisor, investment banker, broker, finder, agent or other Person that has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or any of their Affiliates who is entitled to any financial advisor’s, investment banking, brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission payable by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Closing in connection with the Merger.

4.8 Operations of Parent and Merger Sub. The authorized capital stock of Merger Sub consists solely of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, all of which are validly issued and outstanding. Each of Parent and Merger Sub has been formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the Merger, and, prior to the Effective Time, Parent and Merger Sub shall not have engaged in any other business activities and shall not have incurred liabilities or obligations other than as contemplated by the Financing Letters, the Guarantees and this Agreement. Parent owns beneficially and of record all of the outstanding capital stock and other equity and voting interest in, Merger Sub free and clear of all liens.

4.9 No Parent Vote or Approval Required. No vote or consent of the holders of any capital stock of, or other equity or voting interest in, Parent is necessary to approve this Agreement or the Merger. The adoption of this Agreement by the affirmative vote or consent of Parent is the only vote or consent of the holders of the capital stock of, or other equity interest in, Merger Sub necessary under applicable Law or its Organizational Documents to adopt this Agreement and consummate the Merger.

4.10 Guarantees. Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Guarantors have each delivered to the Company, respectively, a true, correct and complete copy of their respective Guarantee, duly executed by such Guarantor in favor of the Company. As of the date of this Agreement, each Guarantee is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the respective Guarantor, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms. As of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would, or would reasonably be expected to, constitute a default or breach or failure to satisfy a condition on the part of any Guarantor under their respective Guarantee.

4.11 Financing.

(a) Financing Letters. As of the date of this Agreement, Parent has delivered to the Company true, correct and complete copies of (i) duly executed equity commitment letters, dated as of the date of this Agreement, between Parent and each Guarantor party thereto (the “Equity Commitment Letters”) pursuant to which the Guarantors have committed, subject to the terms and conditions therein, to invest in Parent, directly or indirectly, the amounts set forth therein for the purpose of funding a portion of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (the “Equity Financing”); and (ii) a duly executed debt commitment letter, dated as of the date of this Agreement, among Parent and the Financing Sources party thereto (including all exhibits, schedules, term sheets, and annexes thereto, as may be amended or modified in accordance with the terms hereof, collectively the “Debt Commitment Letter” and, together with the Equity Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters referenced below, the “Financing Letters”), pursuant to which the Financing Sources providing commitments therein have committed, subject to the terms and conditions therein, to lend the amounts set forth therein for the purposes set forth therein (including the funding a portion of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including

 

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the repayment, prepayment or discharge of the outstanding Company Indebtedness)) (together with any Alternate Debt Financing, the “Debt Financing” and, together with the Equity Financing, the “Financing”). Parent has also delivered to the Company a true, correct and complete copy of any executed fee letter (which may be redacted solely with respect to fees and other customarily redacted economic provisions (including customary “market flex” terms)) in connection with the Debt Commitment Letter (any such letter, a “Fee Letter”). The Equity Commitment Letters provide that the Company is entitled to enforce such Equity Commitment Letters in accordance with the terms thereof.

(b) No Amendments. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) the Financing Letters and the terms of the Financing have not been amended or modified and, other than any amendment solely to add additional lenders, agents, arrangers, bookrunners or managers to the Debt Commitment Letter in connection with the Financing, to the knowledge of Parent, no such amendment or modification is contemplated; and (ii) the respective commitments contained in the Financing Letters have not been withdrawn, terminated, replaced or rescinded in any respect and, to the knowledge of Parent, no such withdrawal, termination, replacement or rescission is contemplated. As of the date of this Agreement, other than the Financing Letters, and any customary engagement letters or customary fee letters, in each case, with respect to the Debt Financing (none of which adversely affect the conditionality, enforceability, availability or termination of the Debt Financing), there are no other Contracts or side letters to which Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates is a party relating to the funding or investing, as applicable, of the full amount of the Financing at Closing, other than as expressly set forth in the Financing Letters delivered to the Company prior to the date hereof.

(c) Sufficiency of Financing. Assuming (x) the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 and (y) the consummation of the Preferred Equity Financing pursuant to the preferred equity commitment letter, dated as of the date of this Agreement (as may be amended, restated, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified, including all exhibits, schedules and annexes thereto), from the preferred equity investors referred to therein, the aggregate proceeds of the Financing are sufficient to (i) make all payments contemplated by this Agreement in connection with the consummation of the Closing (including the payment of all amounts payable pursuant to Article II in connection with or as a result of the Merger); (ii) repay, prepay or discharge (substantially simultaneously with the Merger) the principal of and interest on, and all other indebtedness outstanding pursuant to the Company Indebtedness as contemplated by this Agreement; and (iii) pay all fees and expenses required to be paid at Closing by Parent or Merger Sub in connection with the Merger and the Financing.

(d) Validity. As of the date of this Agreement, the Financing Letters (in the forms delivered by Parent to the Company) are in full force and effect with respect to, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of, Parent and, to the knowledge of Parent, the other parties thereto, as applicable, enforceable against Parent and, to the knowledge of Parent, assuming due and valid execution by each other party thereto, the other parties thereto, as applicable, in accordance with their terms (except as limited by the Enforceability Exception). Other than as expressly set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter and Equity Commitment Letters, there are no conditions precedent or other contingencies related to the funding of the amount of the Financing required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to any agreement relating to the Financing to which the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub or any of

 

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their respective Affiliates is a party. As of the date of this Agreement, assuming satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2, each of Parent and Merger Sub has no reason to believe that it or any other parties to the Financing Letters will be unable to satisfy on a timely basis any term or condition in the Financing Letters applicable to it. As of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred that, with or without notice or lapse of time or both, would, or would reasonably be expected to (i) constitute a default or breach on the part of Parent or, to the knowledge of Parent, any of the other parties thereto pursuant to the Financing Letters; (ii) result in the failure of any condition to the Financing; or (iii) otherwise result in a portion of the Financing (in an amount that would reduce the aggregate amount of the Financing below the amount required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement) being unavailable to Parent on the Closing Date. As of the date of this Agreement, assuming satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2, Parent has no reason to believe that the amount of the Financing required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not be made available to Parent on or prior to the Closing Date. As of the date of this Agreement, Parent and Merger Sub have fully paid, or caused to be fully paid, all commitment or other fees and amounts that are due and payable on or prior to the date of this Agreement pursuant to the terms of the Financing Letters.

(e) No Exclusive Arrangements. None of the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates has entered into any Contract prohibiting or seeking to prohibit any bank, investment bank or other potential provider of debt financing from providing or seeking to provide debt financing to any Person, in each case in connection with a transaction relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or in connection with the Merger.

4.12 Stockholder and Management Arrangements. None of the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates is a party to any Contract, or has authorized, made or entered into, or committed or agreed to enter into, any formal or informal arrangements or other understandings (whether or not binding) with any stockholder (other than any existing limited partner or other equity financing source of the Guarantors or any of its Affiliates or the Persons executing the Voting Agreements with respect to the transactions contemplated thereby), director, officer, employee or other Affiliate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (a) relating to (i) this Agreement or the Merger; (ii) the Company; or (iii) the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, businesses or operations (including as to continuing employment) from and after the Effective Time; or (b) pursuant to which (i) any holder of Company Common Stock would be entitled to receive consideration of a different amount or nature than the Per Share Price in respect of such holder’s shares of Company Common Stock (including through any “roll-over” of existing equity in connection with the Transactions); (ii) any holder of Company Common Stock (other than the Persons executing the Voting Agreements) has agreed to approve this Agreement or vote against any Superior Proposal; or (iii) any stockholder, director, officer, employee or other Affiliate of the Company other than the Guarantors has agreed to provide, directly or indirectly, equity investment to Parent, Merger Sub or the Company to finance any portion of the Merger.

4.13 Solvency. As of the Effective Time, assuming (i) the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2, (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Article III are true and correct in all material respects, and (iii) immediately after giving effect to the Merger (including the payment of all amounts payable pursuant to Article II in connection with or as a result of the Merger and all related fees and expenses of Parent, Merger

 

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Sub, the Company and their respective Subsidiaries in connection therewith), (a) the amount of the “fair saleable value” of the assets of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will exceed (i) the value of all liabilities of the Surviving Corporation and such Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis), including contingent and other liabilities; and (ii) the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) on their existing debts (including contingent liabilities) as such debts become absolute and matured; (b) the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will not have an unreasonably small amount of capital for the operation of the businesses in which they are engaged or proposed to be engaged; and (c) the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) will be able to pay their liabilities, including contingent and other liabilities, as they mature. No transfer of property is being made by Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation or any their respective Affiliates (or is contemplated being made) and no obligation is being incurred (or is contemplated being incurred) by Parent, Merger Sub, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Affiliates in connection with the Transactions (or any series of related transactions or any other transactions in close proximity with the Transactions) (a) with the intent to hinder, delay or defraud either present or future creditors of the Surviving Corporation, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates, (b) that could reasonably be expected to render the Surviving Corporation, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates insolvent or (c) that as of the date hereof, is reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the long term financial sustainability of the Surviving Corporation, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates.

4.14 Non-Reliance on Company Estimates, Projections, Forecasts, Forward-Looking Statements and Business Plans. In connection with the due diligence investigation of the Company by Parent and Merger Sub, Parent and Merger Sub have received and may continue to receive from the Company certain estimates, projections, forecasts, and other forward-looking information, as well as certain business and strategic plan information, regarding the Company and its Subsidiaries and their respective businesses and operations. Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledge that there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to make such estimates, projections, forecasts, and other forward-looking statements, as well as in such business and strategic plans, with which Parent and Merger Sub are familiar, that Parent and Merger Sub are taking full responsibility for making their own evaluation of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts, and other forward-looking information, as well as such business plans, so furnished to them (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, forward-looking information, or business plans), and that, except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III, Parent and Merger Sub have not relied on such information or on any other representation or warranty (express or implied), memorandum, presentation or other materials or information provided by or on behalf of the Company and will have no claim against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Representatives, with respect thereto or any rights hereunder with respect thereto, except pursuant to the express terms of this Agreement, including on account of a breach of any of the representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent and Merger Sub each acknowledges and agrees that, except for the representations and warranties expressly made by the Company in Article III or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, neither the Company nor any other Person makes or has made any representations or warranties with respect to any estimates, projections, forecasts, or other forward-looking information made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives (including in certain “data rooms,” “virtual data rooms,” management presentations or in any other form in expectation of, or in connection with, the Transactions).

 

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4.15 Parent and Merger Sub Information. The information supplied or to be supplied by Parent or Merger Sub for inclusion in the Proxy Statement will not, at the time the Proxy Statement is first disseminated to the stockholders of the Company or at the time of the Company Stockholder Meeting, 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 light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

4.16 No Other Representations or Warranties. Except for the representations and warranties expressly made by Parent and Merger Sub in this Article IV or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub or any other Person makes or has made any representation or warranty of any kind whatsoever, express or implied, at Law or in equity, with respect to Parent or Merger Sub or their Affiliates or their respective business, operations, assets, liabilities, financial condition, notwithstanding the delivery or disclosure to the Company or any of its Affiliates or Representatives of any documentation, forecasts or other information with respect to any one or more of the foregoing. Except for the representations and warranties expressly set forth in Article III, Parent and Merger Sub hereby acknowledge that neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any other Person, makes or has made or is making any other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or their respective business or operations, including with respect to any information provided or made available to Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives or any information developed by Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Representatives.

ARTICLE V

INTERIM OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY

5.1 Affirmative Obligations. Except (a) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (b) as set forth in Section 5.1 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (c) as required by applicable Law, or (d) as approved by Parent in writing (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and shall be deemed given if Parent provides no written response within seven Business Days after a written request by the Company for such consent), during the period from the execution and delivery of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) preserve intact in all material respects its assets, properties and Material Contracts, (ii) conduct its business in all material respects in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) preserve intact in all material respects its significant commercial relationships with third parties; provided that no action (or omission) by the Company or its Subsidiaries with respect to matters specifically addressed by any provision of Section 5.2 shall be deemed a breach of this sentence unless such action (or omission) would constitute a breach of such relevant provision of Section 5.2; provided, further, that, in each case, and so long as the Company has consulted with Parent and considered in good faith any recommendations by Parent, the Company and its Subsidiaries may make any necessary changes in their respective business practices in response to COVID-19 Measures to protect the health and safety of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ employees, suppliers, customers, partners and other individuals having business dealings with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

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5.2 Forbearance Covenants. Except (a) as expressly contemplated by this Agreement, (b) as set forth in Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter, (c) as required by applicable Law, (d) as necessary in response to COVID-19 Measures to protect the health and safety of the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ employees, suppliers, customers, partners and other individuals having business dealings with the Company and its Subsidiaries (provided that, the Company has consulted with Parent and considered in good faith any recommendations of Parent) or (e) as approved by Parent in writing (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, and shall be deemed given if Parent provides no written response within seven Business Days after a written request by the Company for such consent), during the period from the execution and delivery of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to (whether directly or indirectly and whether by merger, consolidation, division, conversion, operation of law or otherwise):

(a) amend or repeal the Organizational Documents of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than immaterial changes to the Organizational Documents of any of its Subsidiaries);

(b) propose or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, conversion, division, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization;

(c) issue, sell, deliver or agree or commit to issue, sell or deliver any Company Securities, except with respect to, and upon the vesting, exercise or settlement of, in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements under the Company Stock Plans, Company Options or Company RSUs, in each case, outstanding on the date of this Agreement or granted after the date hereof in compliance with this Agreement;

(d) except for transactions solely among the Company and its Subsidiaries or solely among the Subsidiaries of the Company, adjust, reclassify, split, combine, subdivide or redeem, repurchase, purchase or otherwise acquire or amend the terms of, directly or indirectly, any of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest, other than (i) the acquisitions of shares of Company Common Stock in connection with the surrender of shares of Company Common Stock by holders of Company Options to pay the exercise price of such Company Options, (ii) the withholding of shares of Company Common Stock to satisfy Tax obligations incurred in connection with the exercise of Company Options and the vesting and settlement of Company RSUs, and (iii) the acquisition by the Company of Company Options and Company RSUs in connection with the forfeiture of such awards, in each case in accordance with their terms;

(e) (i) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares or property or any combination thereof) in respect of any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interest, except for cash dividends made by any direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or one of its other wholly-owned Subsidiaries, (ii) modify the terms of any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest; or (iii) pledge or encumber any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interest;

 

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(f) incur, assume, endorse, guarantee, or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness, except (i) borrowings in the ordinary course of business under the Company’s revolving credit facility as in effect on the date hereof or under facilities that replace, renew, extend, refinance or refund such existing revolving credit facility (including indebtedness incurred to repay or refinance related fees and expenses); it being understood that Parent will be entitled to consent to any such new facility in accordance with Section 5.2(m) if such existing facility to which it relates constitutes a Material Contract hereunder, (ii) guarantees or credit support provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of the obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the extent such indebtedness is in existence on the date of this Agreement or incurred in compliance with this Section 5.2(f), (iii) performance bonds and surety bonds entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) any indebtedness among the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or among the Company’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

(g) (i) enter into, adopt, amend or modify in any material respect or terminate any Employee Plan (or any plan, agreement, program, policy or other arrangement that would be an Employee Plan if in existence on the date hereof); (ii) increase the compensation of any employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), (A) to the extent required by applicable Law or pursuant to any Employee Plan in effect on the date of this Agreement; or (B) in conjunction with annual renewal or plan design changes for the Employee Plans; provided that such changes do not materially increase benefits or the cost to the Company and its Subsidiaries; (iii) grant or provide any severance or termination payments or benefits to any employee, director, officer or other individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with a title of Vice President or above; (iv) take any action to accelerate the vesting or payment or lapsing of restrictions, or fund or in any other way secure the payment, of compensation or benefits under any Employee Plan; (v) make any grants under the Company Stock Plans to any current or former employee, director, officer or individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (vi) grant to any current or former employee, director, officer or individual service provider of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any right to reimbursement, indemnification or payment for any Taxes incurred under Section 409A or Section 4999 of the Code;

(h) settle, release, waive or compromise any pending or threatened Legal Proceeding for an amount in excess of $2 million individually or $5 million in the aggregate other than (i) any settlement where the amount paid or to be paid by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is covered by insurance coverage maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) settlements of any Legal Proceedings for an amount not in excess of the amount, if any, reflected or reserved in the balance sheet (or the notes thereto) of the Company;

(i) materially change the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ methods, principles or practices of financial accounting or annual accounting period, except as required by GAAP, Regulation S-X of the Exchange Act (or any interpretation thereof), or by any Governmental Authority or applicable Law;

(j) make any material adverse change to the operation or security of any Company IT Assets or privacy policies of the Company or its Subsidiaries, except as required by applicable Law;

 

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(k) (i) make any material Tax election that is materially inconsistent with past practices or change or revoke any material Tax election except to the extent consistent with past practices, (ii) adopt, change or revoke any material accounting period or method with respect to Taxes, unless otherwise required by applicable Law, (iii) file any amended material Tax Return, (iv) enter into any closing agreement with respect to a material amount of Taxes, (v) settle or compromise any proceeding with respect to any material Tax claim or assessment, (vi) consent to any extension or waiver of any limitation period with respect to material Taxes (other than automatic extensions or waivers of time to file income Tax Returns), (vii) surrender any right to claim a material refund of Taxes or (viii) request or enter into any ruling with a Governmental Authority with respect to Taxes;

(l) incur or commit to incur any capital expenditures other than amounts for fiscal year 2023 that are not in excess of 110% of the amounts in the aggregate and for any individual quarter set forth on the capital expenditure budget for fiscal year 2023 set forth in Section 5.2(l) of the Company Disclosure Letter (the “Capex Budget”);

(m) enter into, modify in any material respect, amend in any material respect or terminate (other than any Material Contract that has expired in accordance with its terms) any Material Contract except, in each case, in the ordinary course of business; provided that any Material Contract (i) described by the definition set forth in Section 1.1(ddd)(iii) shall be exclusively governed by Section 5.2(n) and (ii) described by the definition set forth in Section 1.1(ddd)(vi) shall be exclusively governed by Section 5.2(f);

(n) acquire any division, assets, properties, businesses or equity securities (or otherwise make any investment) in any Person (including by merger, consolidation or acquisition of stock or assets), other than (i) in or from any wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) assets in the ordinary course of business or (iii) that do not exceed $10 million in the aggregate;

(o) sell, assign, transfer, license, allow to lapse, abandon or otherwise dispose of any of the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ assets, rights or properties (including material Company Intellectual Property), other than such sales, assignments, transfers or other dispositions (i) of non-exclusive licenses of Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business or expirations of Company Registered Intellectual Property in accordance with its statutory terms, (ii) of sales of products and services or dispositions of assets in the ordinary course of business, (iii) that do not have a purchase price that exceeds $1.5 million individually or $3 million in the aggregate or (iv) solely between the Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or solely between the Company’s wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

(p) engage in any transaction with, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, any Affiliate of the Company or other Person covered by Item 404 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404;

(q) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, any other Person, except for (i) extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business; (ii) advances to directors, officers and other employees for travel and other business-related expenses, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and in compliance in all material respects with the Company’s or its Subsidiaries’ policies related thereto; (iii) loans, advances or capital contributions to, any direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiaries of the Company; and (iv) if not otherwise covered by clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), in amounts less than $250,000 in the aggregate outstanding at any given time;

 

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(r) hire or terminate (other than for cause) the employment or services of any employee, director, officer or individual service provider who is (or upon hire would be) with a title of Vice President or above, except as necessary in the ordinary course of business to replace a departing employee, director, officer, or individual service provider; provided the new hire is employed or retained for substantially the same role and for no more than 15% above the departing individual’s total target cash compensation; provided, further, that the aggregate dollar value of any such increases in excess of all the departing individuals’ total target cash compensation may not exceed $250,000; provided, further, that the Company shall take the actions set forth on Item 25 of Section 5.2 of the Company Disclosure Letter;

(s) effectuate or announce any plant closing or mass layoff which would trigger the notice requirements of the WARN Act;

(t) except as required by applicable Law, enter into, amend in any material respect or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or other written agreement with a labor union, works council or similar labor organization; or

(u) agree, resolve or commit to take any of the actions prohibited by this Section 5.2.

5.3 No Solicitation.

(a) No Solicitation or Negotiation. Subject to the terms of Section 5.3(b), from the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not, and shall not authorize or permit any of their respective Representatives to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, propose or knowingly induce the making, submission or announcement of, or knowingly encourage, facilitate or assist, any proposal or offer with respect to, that constitutes or could reasonably be expected to lead to, an Acquisition Proposal; (ii) furnish to any Person (other than Parent, Merger Sub or any designees of Parent or Merger Sub) any non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or afford to any Person access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or personnel, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in any such case with the intent to knowingly induce the making, submission or announcement of, or to knowingly encourage or knowingly facilitate, any proposal or offer with respect to, that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal; (iii) participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with any Person with respect to an Acquisition Proposal (or inquiries, proposals or offers that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal), in each case, other than informing such Persons of the existence of the provisions contained in this Section 5.3 and contacting the person making the Acquisition Proposal solely in order to clarify (but not to engage in negotiations or provide non-public information) any ambiguous terms and conditions of the Acquisition Proposal that are necessary to determine whether the Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; (iv) approve, endorse or recommend an Acquisition Proposal; or (v) approve,

 

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recommend or enter into, or propose to approve, recommend to enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other Contract relating to an Acquisition Transaction (including any “clean team” or similar arrangement), other than an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement (any such letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, merger agreement, acquisition agreement or other Contract relating to an Acquisition Transaction, an “Alternative Acquisition Agreement”). Subject to the following two sentences of this Section 5.3(a), and subject to the terms of Section 5.3(b), promptly (and in any event within two Business Days) following the execution of this Agreement, the Company shall request the return or destruction of all non-public information concerning the Company or its Subsidiaries theretofore furnished to any such Person (other than Parent, the Guarantors, the Financing Sources and their respective Representatives and Affiliates) with whom a confidentiality agreement was entered into at any time prior to the date hereof with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, and shall immediately cease and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective Representatives to immediately (x) cease any discussions, communications or negotiations with any Person (other than the Parties and their respective Representatives) in connection with an Acquisition Proposal (or proposals or offers that could reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal) by such Person, in each case that exists as of the date of this Agreement and (y) shut off all access of any Person (other than the Parties and their respective Representatives) to any electronic data room maintained by the Company with respect to the Transaction. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company will be required to enforce, and will not be permitted to waive, terminate or modify, any provision of any standstill or similar provision that prohibits or purports to prohibit a proposal being made to the Company Board (or any committee thereof, including the Special Committee) unless the Company Board (or any committee thereof, including the Special Committee) has determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that failure to take such action would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law.

(b) Superior Proposals. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, from the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Company’s receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval, the Company and the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Special Committee) may, directly or indirectly through one or more of their Representatives, participate or engage in discussions or negotiations with, furnish any non-public information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to, or afford access to the business, properties, assets, books, records or personnel, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to an Acceptable Confidentiality Agreement to any Person or such Person’s Representatives that has made, renewed or delivered to the Company an Acquisition Proposal after the date of this Agreement, and otherwise facilitate such Acquisition Proposal or assist such Person (and such Person’s Representatives and financing sources) with such Acquisition Proposal if requested by such Person, in each case, with respect to an Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a material breach of this Section 5.3 and that the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) has determined in good faith (i) after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel, either constitutes a Superior Proposal or could reasonably be expected to lead to a Superior Proposal and (ii) after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that, subject to applicable Law and any applicable “clean team” or similar arrangement, the Company shall provide to Parent and Merger Sub any non-public information or data that is provided to any Person given such access that was not previously made available to Parent or Merger Sub prior to or promptly (and in any event within 24 hours) following the time it is provided to such Person.

 

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(c) Company Board Recommendation Change; Entry into Alternative Acquisition Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Company’s receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval:

(i) the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) may effect a Company Board Recommendation Change in response to an Intervening Event that occurs after the date hereof (within the meaning of clause (A) of the definition of “Company Board Recommendation Change”) if the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law; provided that the Company Board shall not effect such a Company Board Recommendation Change unless:

(1) the Company has provided prior written notice to Parent at least four Business Days in advance (such notice period, including any extension thereto, in accordance with this Section 5.3(c)(i), the “Intervening Event Notice Period”) to the effect that the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) intends to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change, which notice shall specify the basis for such Company Board Recommendation Change;

(2) prior to effecting such Company Board Recommendation Change, the Company and its Representatives, during such Intervening Event Notice Period, negotiate with Parent and its Representatives in good faith (to the extent that Parent desires to so negotiate) to enable Parent to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Financing Letters in such a manner that would obviate the need to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change; provided that, in the event the Intervening Event to which this provision applies thereafter changes in any material respect, the Company will be required to deliver a new written notice to Parent and to comply with the requirements of this Section 5.3(c)(i) with respect to such new written notice, it being understood that the “Intervening Event Notice Period” in respect of such new written notice will be three Business Days; and

(3) at the end of the Intervening Event Notice Period and prior to taking any such action, the Company Board has considered in good faith any such proposals by Parent to make revisions to the terms of this Agreement and the Financing Letters, and has determined in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel), that the failure to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change would continue to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law if such changes proposed by Parent were to be given effect; or

 

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(ii) if the Company has received an unsolicited Acquisition Proposal that did not result from a non-de minimis breach of this Section 5.3 and that the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) has determined in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) constitutes a Superior Proposal, then the Company Board may (A) effect a Company Board Recommendation Change with respect to such Acquisition Proposal; or (B) cause the Company to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(h) in order to concurrently enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement with respect to such Acquisition Proposal; provided that the Company Board shall not take any action described in the foregoing clauses (A) and (B) unless:

(1) the Company Board determines in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel) that the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under applicable Law;

(2) (i) the Company has provided prior written notice to Parent at least four Business Days in advance (such notice period, including any extension thereto in accordance with this Section 5.3(c)(i)(2), the “Acquisition Proposal Notice Period”) to the effect that the Company Board intends to take the actions described in clauses (A) or (B) of Section 5.3(c)(ii), including the identity of the Person or Group making such Acquisition Proposal, the material terms thereof and copies of all material relevant agreements (including any Alternative Acquisition Agreements) relating to such Acquisition Proposal; and (ii) prior to effecting such Company Board Recommendation Change or termination, the Company and its Representatives, during the Acquisition Proposal Notice Period, negotiate with Parent and its Representatives in good faith (to the extent that Parent desires to so negotiate) to enable Parent to make such adjustments to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Financing Letters in such a manner that would obviate the need to effect a Company Board Recommendation Change or termination; provided that, in the event of any material modifications to such Acquisition Proposal (it being understood that any change to the financial terms (including the form, amount and timing of payment of consideration) or other material terms of such proposal shall be deemed a material modification), the Company will be required to deliver a new written notice to Parent and to comply with the requirements of this Section 5.3(c)(i)(2) with respect to such new written notice, it being understood that the “Acquisition Proposal Notice Period” in respect of such new written notice will be three Business Days; and

(3) at the end of the Acquisition Proposal Notice Period and prior to taking any such action, the Company Board has considered in good faith any such proposals by Parent to make revisions to the terms of this Agreement and the Financing Letters, and has determined in good faith (after consultation with its financial advisors and outside legal counsel), that (x) such Acquisition Proposal continues to constitute a Superior Proposal and (y) the failure to take such action would continue to be inconsistent with the Company Board’s fiduciary duties under applicable Law if such changes proposed by Parent were to be given effect.

(d) No Change in Company Board Recommendation or Entry into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement. Except as permitted by Section 5.3(c) or Section 5.3(f), the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Special Committee) shall not:

(i) (A) withhold, withdraw, amend or modify, or publicly propose to withhold, withdraw, amend or modify, the Company Board Recommendation; (B) adopt, approve, recommend or endorse or otherwise declare advisable, or publicly propose to adopt, approve or recommend to the Company Stockholders an Acquisition Proposal; (C) fail to include the

 

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Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement; (D) fail to publicly reaffirm the Company Board Recommendation within ten Business Days after Parent so requests in writing (it being understood that the Company will have no obligation to make such reaffirmation on more than three separate occasions); (E) fail to recommend, in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 under the Exchange Act, against any Acquisition Proposal that is a tender offer or exchange offer subject to Regulation 14D promulgated under the Exchange Act within ten Business Days after the commencement (within the meaning of Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act) of such tender offer or exchange offer (or if the Company Stockholder Meeting is scheduled to be held within ten Business Days from the date of such commencement, promptly and in any event prior to the date which is one Business Day before the date on which the Company Stockholder Meeting is scheduled to be held) or (F) resolve, agree or publicly propose to do any of the foregoing (any action described in clauses (A) through (E), a “Company Board Recommendation Change”); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, none of (1) the factually accurate disclosure by the Company of the receipt of an Acquisition Proposal, (2) the determination by the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Special Committee) that an Acquisition Proposal constitutes a Superior Proposal; or (3) the delivery by the Company to Parent of any notice contemplated by Section 5.3(c) will constitute a Company Board Recommendation Change; or

(ii) cause or permit the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement.

(e) Notice. From the date of this Agreement until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall as promptly as reasonably practicable (and, in any event, within 48 hours) notify Parent if any Acquisition Proposal or any offers or proposals that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Acquisition Proposal are received by the Company or any of its Representatives. Such notice must include (i) the identity of the Person or Group making such Acquisition Proposal; and (ii) a summary of the material terms and conditions (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the form and amount of consideration and proposed financing arrangements) of any such Acquisition Proposal and, to the extent submitted in writing, copies of any such Acquisition Proposal. Thereafter, the Company must keep Parent reasonably informed, on a prompt basis (and, in any event, within 48 hours), of the status and material terms of any such Acquisition Proposal (including any amendments, revisions or other changes thereto) and the status of any related discussions or negotiations.

(f) Certain Disclosures. Nothing contained in this Agreement will prohibit the Company or the Company Board (x) from taking and disclosing to the Company Stockholders a position contemplated by Rule 14d-9 or Rule 14e-2(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act or making a customary “stop-look-and-listen” communication to the Company Stockholders pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act or (y) from making disclosures to the Company Stockholders required under applicable securities Laws with regard to the Transactions or an Acquisition Proposal (solely with respect to clause (y), so long as any such disclosure does not include any statement that constitutes, and does not otherwise constitute, a Company Board Recommendation Change; provided that the foregoing shall in no way (i) eliminate or modify the effect that such disclosure would otherwise have under this Agreement or (ii) override the Company’s obligations pursuant to Section 5.3(d)), and no such communication by the Company or the Company Board (or a committee thereof, including the Special Committee) in accordance with and to the extent expressly permitted by this Section 5.3(f) shall be deemed to be a Company Board Recommendation Change.

 

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(g) Breach by Representatives. The Company agrees that any breach of this Section 5.3 by any director or officer of the Company, or a financial advisor acting at the direction or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates, will be deemed to be a breach of this Section 5.3 by the Company. The Company will not authorize, direct or knowingly permit any consultant or employee of the Company to breach this Section 5.3, and upon becoming aware of any breach or threatened breach of this Section 5.3 by a Representative of the Company, shall use its reasonable best efforts to stop such breach or threatened breach.

5.4 No Control of the Other Partys Business. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the restrictions set forth in this Agreement are not intended to give Parent or Merger Sub, on the one hand, or the Company, on the other hand, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the business or operations of the other at any time prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company shall exercise, consistent with the terms, conditions and restrictions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over their own business and operations.

ARTICLE VI

ADDITIONAL COVENANTS

6.1 Required Action and Forbearance; Efforts.

(a) Reasonable Best Efforts. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement (including this Section 6.1(a)) and subject to any different standard set forth herein with respect to any covenant or obligation (including Section 5.1(a), Section 5.3(c) and Section 6.2), Parent and Merger Sub shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, if applicable), on the one hand, and the Company shall, on the other hand, use their respective reasonable best efforts to (i) take (or cause to be taken) all actions; (ii) do (or cause to be done) all things; and (iii) assist and cooperate with the other Parties in doing (or causing to be done) all things, in each case as are necessary, proper or advisable pursuant to applicable Law or otherwise to consummate and make effective, as promptly as reasonably practicable, the Merger and the Transactions, including by (A) causing the conditions to the Merger set forth in Article VII to be satisfied and (B) (I) obtaining all consents, waivers, approvals, Orders and authorizations from Governmental Authorities; and (II) making all registrations, declarations and filings with Governmental Authorities, in each case that are necessary or advisable to consummate the Transactions.

(b) No Consent Fee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 6.1 or elsewhere in this Agreement, none of Parent, Merger Sub, the Company nor any of their respective Subsidiaries will be required to agree (or, in the case of the Company or its Subsidiaries, will agree without Parent’s consent) to (i) the payment of a consent fee, “profit sharing” payment or other consideration (including increased or accelerated payments) or (ii) the provision of additional security (including a guaranty), in each case, in connection with the Merger, including in connection with obtaining any consent pursuant to any Material Contract.

 

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(c) Limitations. Section 6.1(a) shall not apply to filings under Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws, which shall be governed by the obligations set forth in Section 6.2 below.

6.2 Antitrust, Foreign Investment and Regulatory Matters.

(a) Filing Under Antitrust and Foreign Investment Laws. Each of Parent and Merger Sub shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, if applicable), on the one hand, and the Company (and its Affiliates, if applicable), on the other hand, shall, to the extent required, (i) file with the FTC and the Antitrust Division of the DOJ a Notification and Report Form relating to this Agreement and the Merger as required by the HSR Act as promptly as practicable and in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the date hereof; and (ii) file such notification filings, forms and submissions, including any draft notifications in jurisdictions requiring pre-notification, with any Governmental Authority as are required by other applicable Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws in connection with the Merger, as promptly as reasonably practicable after the date hereof and in any event within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date hereof. Each of Parent and the Company shall (A) cooperate and coordinate (and shall cause its respective Affiliates to cooperate and coordinate) with the other in the making of such filings; (B) supply the other (or cause the other to be supplied) with any information that may be required in order to make such filings; (C) supply (or cause to be supplied) any additional information that may be required or requested by the FTC, the DOJ or the Governmental Authorities of any other applicable jurisdiction in which any such filing is made; and (D) use reasonable best efforts to take (and cause their Affiliates to take) all action reasonably necessary, proper or advisable to (1) cause the expiration or termination of the applicable waiting periods pursuant to the HSR Act and any other Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws applicable to this Agreement or the Merger; and (2) obtain all clearances, consents, approvals, waivers, actions, non-actions and other authorizations pursuant to any Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws applicable to this Agreement or the Merger, in each case as promptly as practicable and in any event at least five Business Days prior to the Termination Date. Each of Parent and Merger Sub shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, if applicable), on the one hand, and the Company (and its Affiliates), on the other hand, shall promptly inform the other of any substantive communication from any Governmental Authority regarding the Merger in connection with such filings. If a Party or any of its Affiliates receives any comments or a request for additional information or documentary material from any Governmental Authority with respect to the Merger pursuant to the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws or Foreign Investment Laws applicable to the Merger, then such Party shall make (or cause to be made), as promptly as practicable and after consultation with the other Parties, an appropriate response to such request; provided that no Party may extend, or request the extension of, any waiting period or decision period or enter into any agreement or understanding with any Governmental Authority without the consent of the other Parties, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. Parent and Merger Sub shall be solely responsible for payment of all filing fees in connection with filings made under the HSR Act and any other Antitrust Laws and Foreign Investment Laws.

(b) Avoidance of Impediments. In furtherance and not in limitation of the other covenants in this Section 6.2, if and to the extent necessary to obtain clearances, consents, approvals, waivers, actions, waiting period expirations or terminations, non-actions or other authorizations pursuant to the HSR Act or any other Antitrust Laws applicable to the Merger, and

 

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to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment under any Antitrust Law applicable to the Merger as promptly as practicable and in any event at least five Business Days prior to the Termination Date, each of Parent and Merger Sub shall (and the Company shall if requested in writing by Parent, and shall not without such prior written consent of Parent) offer, negotiate, commit to and effect, by consent decree, hold separate order or otherwise, and take all actions necessary to avoid or eliminate each and every impediment and obtain all clearances, consents, approvals, waivers, actions, waiting period expirations or terminations, non-actions or other authorizations under the HSR Act and any Antitrust Law including (i) the sale, divestiture, transfer, license, disposition, or hold separate (through the establishment of a trust or otherwise), of any and all of the capital stock or other equity or voting interest, assets (whether tangible or intangible), rights, properties, products or businesses of Parent and Merger Sub, and of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (ii) the termination, modification, or assignment of existing relationships, joint ventures, Contracts, or obligations of Parent and Merger Sub, and of the Company and its Subsidiaries; (iii) the modification of any course of conduct regarding future operations of Parent and Merger Sub, and of the Company and its Subsidiaries; and (iv) any other restrictions on the activities of Parent and Merger Sub, and of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including the freedom of action with respect to, or the ability to retain, one or more of the respective operations, divisions, businesses, product lines, customers, assets or rights or interests of Parent and Merger Sub, and of the Company and its Subsidiaries, or the freedom of action with respect to the assets, properties, or businesses to be acquired pursuant to this Agreement; in each case, so as to allow the consummation of the Merger as soon as practicable and, in any event, at least five Business Days prior to the Termination Date; provided that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Section 6.2(b) or any other provision of this Agreement shall require or obligate Parent, Merger Sub, or any of Parent’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries to, and the Company shall not, without the prior written consent of Parent, agree or otherwise be required to, take any action, including any action contemplated by this Section 6.2(b), with respect to any of Parent’s Affiliates (excluding Merger Sub, but including (x) Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone”) and any investment funds or investment vehicles affiliated with, or managed or advised by, Blackstone, and (y) any portfolio company (as such term is commonly understood in the private equity industry) or investment of Blackstone or of any such investment fund or investment vehicle), or any interest therein. Parent shall oppose any request for, the entry of, and seek to have vacated or terminated, any Order, judgment, decree, injunction or ruling of any Governmental Authority that could restrain, prevent or delay any required consents, clearances, approvals, waivers, actions, waiting period expirations or terminations, non-actions or other authorizations applicable to the Merger, including by defending through litigation, any action asserted by any Person in any court or before any Governmental Authority and by exhausting all avenues of appeal, including appealing properly any adverse decision or Order by any Governmental Authority, it being understood that the costs and expenses of all such actions shall be borne by Parent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any agreement or consent decree with the DOJ, FTC or any other Governmental Authority that is not conditioned on the Closing.

(c) Cooperation. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall, subject to any restrictions under applicable Laws, (i) promptly notify the other Parties of, and, if in writing, furnish the others with copies of (or, in the case of oral communications, advise the others of the contents of) any material communication received by such Person from a Governmental Authority in connection with the Merger and permit

 

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the other Parties to review and discuss in advance (and to consider in good faith any comments made by the other Parties in relation to) any proposed draft notifications, formal notifications, filing, submission or other written communication (and any analyses, memoranda, white papers, presentations, correspondence or other documents submitted therewith) made in connection with the Merger to a Governmental Authority; (ii) keep the other Parties informed (on a prompt basis) with respect to the status of any such submissions and filings to any Governmental Authority in connection with the Merger and any developments, meetings or discussions with any Governmental Authority in respect thereof, including with respect to (A) the receipt of any non-action, action, clearance, consent, approval, waiver or other authorizations, (B) the expiration or termination of any waiting period, (C) the commencement or proposed or threatened commencement of any investigation, litigation or administrative or judicial action or proceeding under applicable Laws, including any proceeding initiated by a private party, and (D) the nature and status of any objections raised or proposed or threatened to be raised by any Governmental Authority with respect to the Merger; and (iii) not independently participate in any meeting, hearing, proceeding or substantive discussions (whether in person, by telephone, by video or otherwise) with or before any Governmental Authority in respect of the Merger without giving the other parties reasonable prior notice of such meeting or substantive discussions and, unless prohibited by such Governmental Authority, the opportunity to attend or participate. However, each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub may reasonably designate any commercially sensitive information provided to any Governmental Authority as restricted to “outside counsel only” and any such information shall not be shared with employees, officers or directors or their equivalents of the other Party without approval of the Party providing the commercially sensitive information; provided that each of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub may redact any valuation and related information before sharing any information provided to any Governmental Authority with another Party on an “outside counsel only” basis, and that the Company, Parent and Merger Sub shall not in any event be required to share information that benefits from legal privilege with the other Parties, even on an “outside counsel only” basis, where this would cause such information to cease to benefit from legal privilege.

(d) Other Actions. Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and shall cause Blackstone Capital Partners VIII L.P. not to (i) acquire (by stock purchase, merger, consolidation, purchase of assets, license or otherwise), or (ii) enter into or agree to enter into, any Contracts or arrangements for an acquisition (by stock purchase, merger, consolidation, purchase of assets, license or otherwise) of, any ownership interest, equity interests, assets or rights in or of any Person that would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, (A) prevent, materially delay or materially impede the obtaining of, or adversely affect in any material respect the ability of Parent to procure, any clearances, approvals, waivers, actions, non-actions, authorizations, consents, Orders or declarations of any Governmental Authority or the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period necessary to consummate the Transactions, including the Merger, (B) materially increase the risk of any Governmental Authority entering an Order, ruling, judgment or injunction prohibiting the consummation of the Transactions, including the Merger, or (C) cause Parent, Merger Sub or the Company to be required to obtain any additional clearances, consents, approvals, waivers, actions, waiting period expirations or terminations, non-actions or other authorizations under any Laws with respect to the Merger and the other Transactions that would prevent, materially delay or materially impede the consummation of the Merger or the other Transactions.

 

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6.3 Proxy Statement.

(a) Proxy Statement. As promptly as reasonably practicable following the date of this Agreement, and in no event later than April 18, 2023, the Company (with the assistance and cooperation of Parent and Merger Sub as reasonably requested by the Company) shall prepare and file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement (as amended or supplemented, the “Proxy Statement”) relating to the Company Stockholder Meeting; provided that the Company shall not be in breach of this Section 6.3(a) as a result of any delay in filing the Proxy Statement caused by Parent’s or Merger Sub’s failure to comply with their obligations pursuant to Section 6.3(c) in any material respect. Subject to Section 5.3, the Company shall include the Company Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement.

(b) Other Required Company Filing. If the Company is required to file any document other than the Proxy Statement with the SEC in connection with the Merger pursuant to applicable Law (such document, as amended or supplemented, an “Other Required Company Filing”), then the Company (with the assistance and cooperation of Parent and Merger Sub as reasonably requested by the Company) shall promptly prepare and file such Other Required Company Filing with the SEC. The Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement and any Other Required Company Filing to comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq. The Company may not file the Proxy Statement or any Other Required Company Filing with the SEC without providing Parent and its counsel, to the extent practicable, a reasonable opportunity to review and comment thereon and the Company shall give due consideration to all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested thereto by the other Parties or their respective counsel. The Parties shall take the action(s) set forth in Section 6.3(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter.

(c) Furnishing Information. Each of the Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, shall furnish all information concerning it and its Affiliates, if applicable, as the other Party may reasonably request in connection with the preparation and filing with the SEC of the Proxy Statement and any Other Required Company Filing. If at any time prior to the Company Stockholder Meeting any information relating to the Company, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates should be discovered by the Company, on the one hand, or Parent or Merger Sub, on the other hand, that should be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement or any Other Required Company Filing, as the case may be, so that such filing would not include any misstatement of a material fact or omit to state any 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, then the Party that discovers such information shall promptly notify the other, and an appropriate amendment or supplement to such filing describing such information shall be promptly prepared and filed with the SEC by the appropriate Party and, to the extent required by applicable law or the SEC or its staff, disseminated to the Company Stockholders.

(d) Consultation Prior to Certain Communications. The Company and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates, on the other hand, shall provide the other Party a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on any written communication with the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement or any Other Required Company Filing, as the case may be, and each Party shall give due consideration to all reasonable additions, deletions or changes suggested thereto by the other Parties or their respective counsel.

 

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(e) Notices. The Company, on the one hand, and Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, shall advise the other, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of (i) any receipt of a request by the SEC or its staff for any amendment or revisions to the Proxy Statement or any Other Required Company Filing, as the case may be; (ii) any receipt of comments from the SEC or its staff on the Proxy Statement or any Other Required Company Filing, as the case may be; or (iii) any receipt of a request by the SEC or its staff for additional information in connection with the items covered in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

(f) Dissemination of Proxy Statement. Subject to applicable Law, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to the Company Stockholders as promptly as reasonably practicable, and in no event more than three Business Days, following the filing thereof with the SEC and confirmation from the SEC that it will not review, or that it has completed its review of, the Proxy Statement, which confirmation will be deemed occurred if the SEC has not affirmatively notified the Company by 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the tenth calendar day following such filing with the SEC that the SEC will or will not be reviewing the Proxy Statement.

6.4 Company Stockholder Meeting.

(a) Call of Company Stockholder Meeting. Subject to Section 5.3, following the clearance of the Proxy Statement by the SEC, the Company shall duly call and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the “Company Stockholder Meeting”) as promptly as reasonably practicable following the mailing of the Proxy Statement to the Company Stockholders for the purpose of obtaining the Requisite Stockholder Approval; provided, however, that in no event shall the Company be required to hold the Company Stockholder Meeting prior to the twentieth Business Day following the mailing of the Proxy Statement.

(b) Adjournment of Company Stockholder Meeting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, nothing will prevent the Company from postponing or adjourning the Company Stockholder Meeting (i) to allow additional solicitation of votes in order to obtain the Requisite Stockholder Approval; (ii) if there are holders of an insufficient number of shares of the Company Common Stock present or represented by proxy at the Company Stockholder Meeting to constitute a quorum at the Company Stockholder Meeting; (iii) if the Company is required to postpone or adjourn the Company Stockholder Meeting by applicable Law or a request from the SEC or its staff; or (iv) in order to give the Company Stockholders sufficient time to evaluate any information or disclosure that the Company has sent to the Company Stockholders or otherwise made available to the Company Stockholders if, in the good faith judgment of the Company Board (or the Special Committee) (after consultation with outside legal counsel), the failure to do so would be inconsistent with its fiduciary obligations under applicable Law); provided that in the case of the foregoing clause (iv), such postponement or adjournment shall not (x) occur on more than two occasions and (y) be for more than ten Business Days, in each case, without the prior written consent of Parent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, further, that in no event (x) shall the Company Stockholder Meeting be postponed or adjourned beyond the date that is five Business Days prior to the

 

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Termination Date or (y) once it is fixed by the Company Board, shall the record date for the Company Stockholder Meeting change (whether or not in connection with any such postponement or adjournment), without the prior written consent of Parent (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, the Company will conduct a “broker search” in accordance with Rule 14a-13 of the Exchange Act in a manner to enable the record date for the Company Stockholder Meeting to be set so that the Company Stockholder Meeting can be held promptly following the effectiveness of the Proxy Statement.

6.5 Financing.

(a) No Amendments to Financing Letters. Prior to the Closing, each of Parent and Merger Sub shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, agree to, or permit any withdrawal, rescindment, amendment, replacement, supplement or modification to be made to, or any waiver of any provision or remedy pursuant to or consent under, the Financing Letters or the definitive agreements relating to the Financing if such withdrawal, rescindment, amendment, replacement, supplement, modification, consent or waiver would, or would reasonably be expected to, (i) reduce the aggregate amount of the Financing (or the cash proceeds available therefrom) below the amount required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) impose new or additional conditions precedent to the Financing or otherwise expand, amend or modify any of the existing conditions to the receipt of the Financing; (iii) expand, amend, or modify any other terms to the Financing in a manner that would reasonably be expected to prevent, impair or materially delay the Closing and the funding of the amount of the Financing required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (iv) adversely impact in any material respect the ability of Parent or Merger Sub, as applicable, to enforce its rights against the other parties to the Financing Letters or the definitive agreements with respect thereto (provided that (subject to compliance with the other provisions of this Section 6.5(a)), Parent and Merger Sub may amend the Debt Commitment Letter to (A) add additional lenders, arrangers, bookrunners, managers or agents that have not executed the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date of this Agreement) (it being understood that the aggregate commitments of the Financing Sources party to the Commitment Letters prior to such amendment, modification or waiver (but not the aggregate commitments thereunder) may be reduced in the amount of such additional party’s commitment) or (B) increase the aggregate amount of the Financing. Parent shall promptly furnish to the Company true and complete copies of any amendment, replacement, supplement, modification, consent or waiver relating to the Financing Letters or any definitive agreements relating to the Financing. Upon any amendment, supplement or modification of the Debt Commitment Letter in accordance with this Section 6.5(a), references to the “Financing Letters” and “Debt Commitment Letter” shall include such documents as permitted to be amended, supplemented or modified under this Section 6.5(a), and references to the “Financing” and “Debt Financing” shall include the financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter as permitted to be amended, supplemented or modified under this Section 6.5(a).

(b) Taking of Necessary Actions. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each of Parent and Merger Sub shall use its reasonable best efforts to, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, financial advisors and other advisors and representatives to, take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper and advisable to arrange, consummate and obtain the Financing (or, in the event any portion or all of

 

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the Debt Financing becomes unavailable, Alternate Debt Financing) on a timely basis, but in any event no later than the time the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.3, on the terms and conditions (including, to the extent required, the full exercise of any “market flex” provisions in any Fee Letter) set forth in the Financing Letters, including, using its reasonable best efforts to (i) maintain in effect the Financing Letters in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions therein; (ii) negotiate, enter into, execute and deliver on the Closing Date definitive agreements with respect to the Debt Financing contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter and related Fee Letters on a timely basis on the terms and subject only to the conditions (including any “market flex” provisions in the related Fee Letter) set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter and related Fee Letter or on other terms that are not materially less favorable from a conditionality and enforceability perspective (taken as a whole) to Parent than the terms and conditions related to conditionality and enforceability (taken as a whole) set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter (including, to the extent required by the related “market flex” provisions), subject to any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto, or replacements or waivers thereof permitted by Section 6.5(a); (iii) satisfy on a timely basis (or obtain a waiver of) all conditions applicable to Parent or Merger Sub contained in the Debt Commitment Letter and such definitive agreements related thereto and in the Equity Commitment Letters at or prior to the time the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.3 to the fullest extent such conditions are within its control; (iv) in the event that all conditions contained in the Financing Letters and any related definitive agreements have been satisfied (except those that, by their nature, are to be satisfied at the Closing) or waived, consummate the Financing at or prior to the Closing; (v) comply in all material respects with its covenants or other obligations applicable to Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to the Financing Letters and the definitive documents relating to the Financing in accordance with the terms and conditions thereof at or prior to the time the Closing is required to occur pursuant to Section 2.3; and (vi) enforce its rights pursuant to the Financing Letters at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Information. Parent shall keep the Company reasonably informed on a current basis and in reasonable detail of the status of its reasonable best efforts to arrange the Financing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent and Merger Sub shall give the Company prompt notice in writing of (i) any material breach or default (or any event or circumstance that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would reasonably be expected to give rise to any material breach or default), cancellation, early termination or repudiation by any party to the Financing Letters or definitive agreements related to the Financing; (ii) the receipt by Parent or Merger Sub of any written notice or written communication from any Financing Source with respect to any actual material breach, default, cancellation, early termination or repudiation (or written notice or written communications from lenders or other sources of Debt Financing to Parent or Merger Sub of any such actual or threatened (in writing) material breach, default, cancellation, early termination or repudiation received by Parent or Merger Sub) by any party to the Financing Letters or any definitive agreements related to the Financing of any provisions of the Financing Letters or such definitive agreements; and (iii) Parent or Merger Sub becoming aware of any fact, circumstance, event or other development that would reasonably be expected to result in Parent not being able to timely obtain all or any portion of the Financing in the amount required to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on the terms, in the manner or from the sources contemplated by the Financing Letters or any definitive agreements related to the Financing. Parent and Merger Sub shall provide any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to any of the circumstances referred to in the previous sentence as promptly as reasonably practical after the date that the Company delivers a written request therefor to Parent.

 

 

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(d) Alternate Debt Financing. If any portion of the Debt Financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions (including any “market flex” provisions in any Fee Letter) contemplated in the Debt Commitment Letter and related Fee Letters, Parent and Merger Sub shall promptly notify the Company in writing and use their respective reasonable best efforts to, as promptly as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of such event (and in any event on or prior to the Closing Date), (i) arrange and obtain the Debt Financing or such portion of the Debt Financing from the same or alternative sources (the “Alternate Debt Financing”) in an amount sufficient, when taken with the available portion of the Financing, to (A) consummate the Closing upon the terms contemplated by this Agreement and (B) pay all other amounts payable by Parent in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that, in no event shall Parent be required to, and in no event shall its reasonable best efforts be deemed or construed to require it to, obtain alternative financing that includes terms and conditions, taken as a whole, that are less favorable to Parent than the terms and conditions, taken as a whole, set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date hereof (taking into account any “market flex” provisions applicable thereto contained in the related Fee Letters) or would require it to pay any fees or agree to pay any interest rate amounts or original issue discount, in either case, in excess of those contemplated by the Debt Commitment Letter as in effect on the date hereof (taking into account any “market flex” provisions applicable thereto contained in the related Fee Letters) or which include any conditions to the consummation of such alternative debt financing that would reasonably be expected to make the funding of such alternative debt financing less likely to occur, than the conditions set forth in the Debt Commitment Letter as of the date hereof; provided, further, that such Alternate Debt Financing shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company contain conditions to funding and conditions to Closing that (1) are more onerous (in a manner adverse to the interests of the Company) than those conditions and terms contained in the Debt Commitment Letter and related Fee Letter or (2) would reasonably be expected to materially delay the Closing or make the Closing materially less likely to occur, and (ii) obtain one or more new financing commitment letters with respect to such Alternate Debt Financing (the “New Debt Commitment Letters”), which New Debt Commitment Letters will replace the existing Debt Commitment Letters in whole or in part. Parent will promptly provide a copy of any New Debt Commitment Letters (and any fee letter in connection therewith (which may be redacted solely with respect to fees and other customarily redacted economic provisions (including customary “market flex” terms)) to the Company. Any reference in this Agreement to (X) the “Financing Letters” or the “Debt Commitment Letters” will be deemed to include the Debt Commitment Letters to the extent not superseded by a New Debt Commitment Letter at the time in question and any New Debt Commitment Letters (and any fee letter in connection therewith (which may be redacted solely with respect to fees and other customarily redacted economic provisions (including customary “market flex” terms)) to the extent then in effect, (Y) the “Financing Letters” shall refer to such documents as otherwise amended or modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, and (Z) the “Financing” means the financing contemplated by the Financing Letters as amended or modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(e) No Financing Condition. Parent and Merger Sub each acknowledge and agree that none of the obtaining of the Financing or any Alternate Debt Financing or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries having or maintaining any available cash balances is a condition to the Closing, subject to the applicable conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2.

6.6 Financing Cooperation.

(a) Cooperation. Following the date of this Agreement and prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall use its reasonable best efforts, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to use its respective reasonable best efforts and shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its and their respective directors, officers, employees, accountants, consultants, legal counsel, financial advisors and other advisors and representatives, to use their reasonable best efforts, to provide Parent and Merger Sub with all cooperation as is reasonably requested by Parent in connection with the Debt Financing. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such reasonable best efforts shall, in any event, include the following:

(i) causing senior management of the Company (and using reasonable best efforts to cause advisors) to participate in a reasonable number of virtual or telephonic meetings, presentations, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions with prospective lenders, rating agencies and in connection with other syndication activities, at times to be mutually agreed;

(ii) providing reasonable and customary assistance to Parent with the preparation of customary rating agency presentations, bank information memoranda (including, to the extent necessary, a version of bank information memorandum that does not include material non-public information) and other similar documents required in connection with the Debt Financing;

(iii) assisting in the preparation of (including by providing information for the completion of any definitive financing agreements and other certificates (including facilitating the delivery of a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company or person performing similar functions for the Company with respect to solvency matters substantially in the form attached to the Debt Commitment Letter) as may be reasonably requested by Parent), and to the extent required by the Debt Financing, if requested by Parent, using reasonable best efforts to facilitate the pledging of, and perfection of security interests in, collateral, including, taking actions reasonably necessary to permit the Financing Sources to evaluate the Company’s current assets for the purpose of establishing collateral arrangements required to be established as of the Closing under the Debt Commitment Letter, it being understood that such documents will not take effect until the Effective Time;

(iv) furnishing Parent with (A) the Required Financing Information and (B) such business and other material information regarding the Company as may be reasonably requested by Parent and that is customarily included in a financing comparable to the Debt Financing; it being understood that Parent shall (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not) be responsible for the preparation of any pro forma financial statements for the Debt Financing (although the Company agrees to assist Parent in connection with the preparation by Parent of such pro forma financial statements; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any financial information in a form not customarily prepared by the Company);

 

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(v) assisting in the taking of all corporate and other actions, subject to the occurrence of the Closing, reasonably necessary to permit the consummation of the Debt Financing on the Closing Date (including using reasonable best efforts to cause directors and officers who will continue to hold such offices and positions from and after the Closing to execute resolutions or consents of the Company with respect to entering into the definitive documentation for the Debt Financing and otherwise as necessary to authorize consummation of the Debt Financing); it being understood that no such corporate or other action will take effect prior to the Closing;

(vi) at least four Business Days prior to the Closing Date, furnishing Parent and the Financing Sources promptly with all customary documentation and other information with respect to the Company that any Financing Source has reasonably requested at least nine Business Days prior to the Closing Date and that such Financing Source has determined is required by U.S. regulatory authorities pursuant to applicable Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including the Beneficial Ownership Regulation (as defined in the Debt Commitment Letter), and that are required by paragraph 8 of Exhibit C of the Debt Commitment Letter; and

(vii) providing authorization letters to the Financing Sources authorizing the distribution of information to prospective lenders or investors and containing a representation to the Financing Sources that the public side versions of such documents, if any, do not include material non-public information about the Company or securities.

(b) Obligations of the Company. Nothing in this Section 6.6 will require the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to (i) waive or amend any terms of this Agreement or to the extent not indemnified or reimbursed, agree to pay any fees or reimburse any expenses prior to the Effective Time; (ii) enter into any definitive agreement the effectiveness of which is not conditioned upon the Closing (except for the authorization letters contemplated by Section 6.6(a)(vii)) and ratings agency engagement letters in connection with the obligations set forth above; (iii) to the extent not indemnified or reimbursed, give any indemnities that are effective prior to the Effective Time; or (iv) take any action that would unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business or the Company and its Subsidiaries, breach any confidentiality obligations (provided that the Company shall use reasonable best efforts to notify Parent that information is being withheld on such basis and shall use reasonable best efforts to disclose any information being withheld, in each case, to the extent such notification or disclosure would not result in a breach of such confidentiality obligation) or create a material risk of damage or destruction to any property or assets of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. In addition, no action, liability or obligation of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives pursuant to any certificate, agreement, arrangement, document or instrument relating to the Debt Financing will be effective until the Effective Time, and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to take any action pursuant to any certificate, agreement, arrangement, document or instrument that is not contingent on the occurrence of the Closing or that must be effective prior to the Effective Time (except for the authorization letters contemplated by Section 6.6(a)(vii)) and ratings agency engagement letters in connection with the obligations set forth above. Nothing in this Section 6.6 will require the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective directors, officers or employees to execute, deliver or enter into, or perform any agreement, document or instrument, including any definitive financing document, with respect to any debt financing or adopt resolutions approving the agreements, documents and/or instruments pursuant to which any debt

 

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financing is obtained or pledge any collateral with respect to any debt financing that is not contingent on the occurrence of Closing (other than as contemplated by Section 6.6(a)(v) and except for the authorization letters contemplated by Section 6.6(a)(vii) and ratings agency engagement letters in connection with the obligations set forth above). Nothing in this Section 6.6 shall require any officer or Representative of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to deliver any certificate or take any other action under this Section 6.6 that would reasonably be expected to result in personal liability to such officer or Representative. The Company and its Subsidiaries and Representatives shall not be required to deliver any legal opinions.

(c) Company Indebtedness.

(i) At least three Business Days prior to the Effective Time, with respect to the Company Indebtedness to be repaid at the Effective Time, the Company shall deliver (A) to Parent draft payoff letters in customary form from the lenders (or their applicable representative) with respect to the Company Credit Agreement stating the amounts required to pay in full all obligations (other than any contingent reimbursement and indemnity obligations that expressly survive termination of the Company Credit Agreement) thereunder and to effect the termination and/or release of any related liens or other security interests and guarantees in connection with the Company Credit Agreement (subject to the finalization of such amounts prior to the Effective Time) (the “Payoff Letters”), and stating that upon receipt of such amounts all obligations under the Company Credit Agreement shall be terminated and repaid in full and the termination and/or release of such related liens or other security interests and guarantees shall occur and (B) to the agent or lenders under the Company Credit Agreement (other than contingent indemnification and unasserted expense reimbursement obligations), any notices as may be required pursuant to the Company Credit Agreement (including conditional notices of prepayment and redemption).

(ii) At or prior to the Effective Time, Parent shall provide (or cause to be provided) to the Company funds in an amount equal to the amount necessary for the Company to repay and discharge in full all amounts outstanding pursuant to the Company Indebtedness and upon the receipt thereof, concurrently with the Effective Time, the Company shall repay and discharge such Company Indebtedness.

(d) Use of Logos. The Company hereby consents to the use of its and its Subsidiaries’ logos in connection with the Debt Financing so long as such logos (i) are used solely in a manner that is not intended to, or reasonably likely to, harm or disparage the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or the reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; and (ii) are used solely in connection with a description of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, its or their respective businesses and products, or the Merger.

(e) Confidentiality. All non-public or other confidential information provided by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their Representatives pursuant to this Agreement shall be kept confidential in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement, except that Parent and Merger Sub will be permitted to disclose such information to any financing sources or prospective financing sources and other financial institutions and investors that are or may become parties to the Financing and to any underwriters, initial purchasers or placement agents in connection with the Debt Financing (and, in each case, to their respective counsel and auditors) so long as such Persons (i) agree to be bound by provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement applicable to Representatives; or (ii) are subject to other confidentiality undertakings that are substantially similar in their protection of confidential information as the Confidentiality Agreement.

 

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(f) Reimbursement. Promptly upon request by the Company, Parent shall reimburse the Company for any out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of its Representatives in connection with the cooperation or obligations of the Company, its Subsidiaries and their Representatives contemplated by this Section 6.6.

(g) Indemnification. The Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective Representatives shall be indemnified and held harmless by Parent and Merger Sub from and against any and all liabilities, losses, damages, claims, costs, expenses (including attorneys’ fees), interest, awards, judgments, penalties and amounts paid in settlement suffered or incurred by them in connection with their cooperation in arranging the Debt Financing pursuant to this Agreement or the provision of information utilized in connection therewith, except to the extent arising from (i) historical information regarding the Company furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Company, including financial statements (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, including general economic or industry information), that is materially misleading, or (ii) the willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith of the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective Representatives, in each case as determined in a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(h) No Exclusive Arrangements. In no event will the Guarantors, Parent, Merger Sub or any of their respective Affiliates (which for this purpose will be deemed to include each investor in Parent or Merger Sub and the debt financing sources or potential debt financing sources of Parent, Merger Sub and such investors) enter into any Contract prohibiting or seeking to prohibit any bank, investment bank or other potential provider of debt financing from providing or seeking to provide debt financing or financial advisory services to any Person, in each case in connection with a transaction relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or in connection with the Merger.

6.7 Anti-Takeover Laws. The Company, the Company Board and the Special Committee shall (a) take all action within their power to ensure that no “anti-takeover” statute or similar statute or regulation is or becomes applicable to the Merger; and (b) if any “anti-takeover” statute or similar statute or regulation becomes applicable to the Merger, take all action within their power to ensure that the Merger may be consummated as promptly as reasonably practicable on the terms contemplated by this Agreement and otherwise to minimize the effect of such statute or regulation on the Merger.

6.8 Access. At all times during the period commencing with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier to occur of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article VIII and the Effective Time, the Company shall, subject to restrictions or limitations as a result of COVID-19 or any COVID-19 Measures, afford Parent and its Representatives reasonable access, consistent with applicable Law, during normal business hours, upon reasonable advance request, to the properties, books and records and personnel of the Company solely for the purpose of consummating the Transactions or to the extent reasonably

 

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necessary for the purpose of planning for integration and transition, except that the Company may restrict or otherwise prohibit access to any documents or information to the extent that (a) any applicable Law or Contract requires the Company to restrict or otherwise prohibit access to such documents or information or providing access to such documents or information would violate or cause a default pursuant to, or give a third Person the right terminate or accelerate the rights pursuant to, such Contract; (b) access to such documents or information would give rise to a material risk of waiving any attorney-client privilege, work product doctrine or other privilege applicable to such documents or information; (c) access would result in the disclosure of any trade secrets (including source code) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any third Persons; or (d) such documents or information are reasonably pertinent to any adverse Legal Proceeding between the Company and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Parent and its Affiliates, on the other hand; provided, that the Company shall inform Parent of the general nature of the information being withheld and, upon Parent’s request, use its commercially reasonable efforts to allow for any access or disclosure in a manner that does not result in the effects set out in clauses (a) through (d), including by making appropriate substitute arrangements. Nothing in this Section 6.8 shall be construed to require the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Representatives to prepare any reports, analyses, appraisals, opinions or other information. Any investigation conducted pursuant to the access contemplated by this Section 6.8 shall be conducted in a manner that does not (i) unreasonably interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries or otherwise result in any significant interference with the prompt and timely discharge by officers, employees and other authorized Representatives of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of their normal duties or (ii) create a risk of damage or destruction to any property or assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries. Any access to the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries will be subject to the Company’s reasonable security measures and insurance requirements and will not include the right to perform invasive or subsurface testing or any sampling, monitoring or analysis of soil, groundwater, building materials, indoor air, or other environmental media. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary and except in the ordinary course of business and not related to the Transaction, Parent and Merger Sub shall not, and shall cause their respective Representatives not to, contact any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not involved in the negotiation of the Transactions or any customer, technology or other partner, vendor or supplier of the Company in connection with the Merger or any of the other Transactions, in each case, without the Company’s prior written consent, and Parent and Merger Sub acknowledge and agree that any such contact shall be arranged and supervised by Representatives of the Company. All requests for access pursuant to this Section 6.8 must be directed to the General Counsel of the Company or other Person designated by the Company.

6.9 Section 16(b) Exemption. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall be permitted to take all such actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable hereto to cause the Merger, and any dispositions of equity securities of the Company (including derivative securities) (including the disposition, cancellation, or deemed disposition and cancellation of Company Common Stock, Company Options or Company RSUs) in connection with the Merger by each individual who is a director or executive officer of the Company, to be exempt pursuant to Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

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6.10 Directors and Officers Exculpation, Indemnification and Insurance.

(a) Indemnified Persons. The Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to) honor and fulfill, in all respects, the obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to any indemnification agreements between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, on the one hand, and any of their respective current or former directors, officers, or employees (and any person who becomes a director, officer, or employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time), on the other hand (each, together with such Person’s heirs, executors and administrators, an “Indemnified Person” and, collectively, the “Indemnified Persons”). In addition, during the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to) cause the Organizational Documents of the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to contain provisions with respect to indemnification, exculpation and the advancement of expenses that are at least as favorable as the indemnification, exculpation and advancement of expenses provisions set forth in the Organizational Documents of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as of the date of this Agreement. During such six-year period, such provisions may not be repealed, amended or otherwise modified in any adverse manner except as required by applicable Law.

(b) Indemnification Obligation. Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 6.10(a), during the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, and any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates in effect on the date of this Agreement shall, indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Person from and against any costs, fees and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and investigation expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, losses, claims, damages, liabilities and amounts paid in settlement or compromise in connection with any Legal Proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whenever asserted, to the extent that such Legal Proceeding arises, directly or indirectly, out of or pertains, directly or indirectly, to (i) the fact that an Indemnified Person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate; (ii) any action or omission, or alleged action or omission, in such Indemnified Person’s capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, or taken at the request of the Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate (including in connection with serving at the request of the Company or such Subsidiary or Affiliate as a director, officer, employee, agent, trustee or fiduciary of another Person (including any employee benefit plan), regardless of whether such action or omission, or alleged action or omission, occurred prior to, at or after the Effective Time); and (iii) the Merger, as well as any actions taken by the Company, Parent or Merger Sub with respect thereto (including any disposition of assets of the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries that is alleged to have rendered the Surviving Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries insolvent), except that if, at any time prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, any Indemnified Person delivers to Parent a written notice asserting a claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 6.10(b), then the claim asserted in such notice will survive the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time until such claim is fully and finally resolved. In the event of any such Legal Proceeding, the Surviving Corporation shall advance all fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of any counsel) as incurred by an Indemnified Person in the defense of such

 

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Legal Proceeding. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, none of Parent, the Surviving Corporation nor any of their respective Affiliates shall settle or otherwise compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, or otherwise seek the termination of, any Legal Proceeding for which indemnification may be sought by an Indemnified Person pursuant to this Agreement unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of all Indemnified Persons from all liability arising out of such Legal Proceeding. Any determination required to be made with respect to whether the conduct of any Indemnified Person complies or complied with any applicable standard will be made by independent legal counsel selected by the Surviving Corporation (which counsel will be reasonably acceptable to such Indemnified Person), the fees and expenses of which shall be paid by the Surviving Corporation.

(c) D&O Insurance. During the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the sixth anniversary of the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) maintain in effect the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (“D&O Insurance”) in respect of acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the Effective Time on terms (including with respect to coverage, conditions, retentions, limits and amounts) that are equivalent to those of the D&O Insurance. In satisfying its obligations pursuant to this Section 6.10(c), the Surviving Corporation will not be obligated to pay annual premiums in excess of 350% of the amount paid by the Company for coverage for its last full fiscal year (such 350% amount, the “Maximum Annual Premium”). If the annual premiums of such insurance coverage exceed the Maximum Annual Premium, then the Surviving Corporation shall be obligated to obtain a policy with the greatest coverage available for a cost not exceeding the Maximum Annual Premium from an insurance carrier with the same or better credit rating as the Company’s current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. In satisfaction of the foregoing obligations, prior to the Effective Time the Company may (and at Parent’s request, the Company will) purchase a prepaid “tail” policy with respect to the D&O Insurance so long as the aggregate cost for such “tail” policy does not exceed the Maximum Annual Premium. If the Company elects to purchase such a “tail” policy prior to the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) maintain such “tail” policy in full force and effect for a period of no less than six years after the Effective Time and continue to honor its obligations thereunder. If the Company is unable to obtain the “tail” policy and Parent or the Surviving Corporation are unable to obtain the insurance described in this Section 6.10(c) for an annual cost less than or equal to the Maximum Annual Premium, Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to instead obtain as much comparable insurance as possible for an aggregate annual premium equal to the Maximum Annual Premium.

(d) Successors and Assigns. If Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and is not the continuing or Surviving Corporation or entity in such consolidation or merger; or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its properties and assets to any Person, then proper provisions will be made to the extent such obligations are not otherwise assumed by operation of Law so that the successors and assigns of Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective successors or assigns shall assume all of the obligations of Parent and the Surviving Corporation set forth in this Section 6.10.

 

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(e) No Impairment. The obligations set forth in this Section 6.10 may not be terminated, amended or otherwise modified in any manner that adversely affects any Indemnified Person (or any other Person who is a beneficiary pursuant to the D&O Insurance or the “tail” policy referred to in Section 6.10(c) (and their heirs and representatives), the “Other Indemnified Persons”) without the prior written consent of such affected Indemnified Person or Other Indemnified Person. Each of the Indemnified Persons or Other Indemnified Persons are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 6.10, with full rights of enforcement as if a Party. The rights of the Indemnified Persons and Other Indemnified Persons pursuant to this Section 6.10 will be in addition to, and not in substitution for, any other rights that such Persons may have pursuant to (i) the Charter and Bylaws; (ii) the Organizational Documents of the Subsidiaries of the Company; (iii) any and all indemnification agreements entered into with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iv) applicable Law (whether at Law or in equity).

(f) Other Claims. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or will be construed to, release, waive or impair any rights to directors’ and officers’ insurance claims pursuant to any applicable insurance policy or indemnification agreement that is or has been in existence with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any of their respective directors, officers or other employees, it being understood and agreed that the indemnification provided for in this Section 6.10 is not prior to or in substitution for any such claims pursuant to such policies or agreements.

6.11 Employee Matters.

(a) Acknowledgement. Parent hereby acknowledges and agrees that a “change of control” (or similar phrase) within the meaning of each of the Employee Plans, as applicable, will occur as of the Effective Time.

(b) Existing Arrangements. From and after the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation to) assume and honor all of the Employee Plans in accordance with their terms as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time.

(c) Employment; Benefits. For a period of 12 months following the Effective Time, the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to) maintain for the benefit of each Continuing Employee (i) a base salary or wage rate, as applicable, and target short-term cash incentive opportunities (including bonus and commission compensation) that are, in each case, no less than those in effect for such Continuing Employee immediately before the Effective Time; (ii) severance and termination benefits that are no less favorable than those applicable to Continuing Employees under the arrangements set forth in Section 3.18(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter; and (iii) other benefit or compensation plans, programs, policies, agreements or arrangements (excluding retention, change-in-control compensation, equity or equity-based plans and arrangements and other similar long-term compensation, nonqualified deferred compensation, retiree medical or welfare arrangements and defined benefit pension benefits) at levels that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to those in effect for Continuing Employees under the Employee Plans as of immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 

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(d) New Plans. With respect to each benefit or compensation plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement that is made available to any Continuing Employee at or after the Effective Time (each such plans, a “New Plan”), the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries shall (and Parent shall cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to) cause to be granted to such Continuing Employee credit for all service with the Company and its Subsidiaries prior to the Effective Time for purposes of eligibility to participate, vesting and entitlement to benefits where length of service is relevant (including for purposes of vacation accrual and severance entitlement or termination pay), except (A) to the extent that it would result in duplication of coverage or benefits for the same period of service or (B) for purposes of any defined benefit pension plan or plan that provides retiree welfare benefits. In addition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Parent will cause the Surviving Corporation and its Subsidiaries to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause (i) each Continuing Employee to be immediately eligible to participate, without any waiting period, in any and all New Plans to the extent that coverage pursuant to any such New Plan replaces coverage pursuant to a corresponding Employee Plan (such plans, the “Old Plans”); (ii) for purposes of each New Plan providing life insurance, medical, dental, pharmaceutical, vision or disability benefits, all waiting periods, pre-existing condition exclusions, evidence of insurability requirements and actively-at-work or similar requirements of such New Plan to be waived for the Continuing Employees and their covered dependents to the extent such conditions were inapplicable, met or waived under the comparable Employee Plan in which such Continuing Employee participated immediately prior to the Effective time; (iii) for purposes of each New Plan providing medical, dental, pharmaceutical, or vision benefits, any eligible expenses incurred by the Continuing Employees and their covered dependents during the portion of the plan year of the Old Plan ending on the date that Continuing Employees’ participation in the corresponding New Plan begins, if such participation begins in the year in which the Effective Time occurs, to be given full credit pursuant to such New Plan for purposes of satisfying all deductible, coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket requirements applicable to such Continuing Employees and their covered dependents for the applicable plan year as if such amounts had been paid in accordance with such New Plan; and (iv) to credit the accounts of the Continuing Employees pursuant to any New Plan that is a flexible spending account plan with any unused balances in the account of such Continuing Employees under the Old Plan that is a flexible spending account plan. Any vacation or paid time off accrued but unused by a Continuing Employee as of immediately prior to the Effective Time will be credited to such Continuing Employee following the Effective Time and will not be subject to accrual limits or other forfeitures, except as required by the terms of such vacation or time off policies as determined by Parent and its Affiliates from time to time.

(e) No Third-Party Beneficiary Rights. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, this Section 6.11 will not be deemed to: (i) guarantee employment for any period of time for, or preclude the ability of Parent, the Surviving Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries to terminate any Continuing Employee; (ii) amend any Employee Plan or New Plan; or (iii) create any third party beneficiary rights in any Continuing Employee (or beneficiary or dependent thereof).

 

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6.12 Obligations of Merger Sub. Parent shall take all action necessary to cause Merger Sub and the Surviving Corporation to perform their respective obligations pursuant to this Agreement and to consummate the Merger upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement. Parent and Merger Sub shall be jointly and severally liable for the failure by either of them to perform and discharge any of their respective covenants, agreements and obligations pursuant to this Agreement.

6.13 Notification of Certain Matters. Each of the Company and Parent will give prompt notice to the other (and will subsequently keep the other informed on a reasonably current basis of any material developments related to such notice) upon its becoming aware of the occurrence or existence of any change, event, effect, occurrence or development that (a) with respect to the Company, has had or would reasonably be expected have a Company Material Adverse Effect, (b) with respect to Parent or Merger Sub, has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Parent Material Adverse Effect and/or (c) is reasonably likely to result in any of the conditions set forth in Article VII not being able to be satisfied prior to the Termination Date. No notification given by any party pursuant to this Section 6.13 shall limit or otherwise affect any of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or conditions contained in this Agreement. The Company’s or Parent’s failure to comply with this Section 6.13 will not be taken into account for purposes of determining whether any conditions set forth in Article VII to consummate the Merger have been satisfied.

6.14 Public Statements and Disclosure. The initial press release with respect to the execution of this Agreement shall be a joint press release in the form reasonably agreed to by the Parties, and following such initial press release, the Company and Parent shall consult with each other before issuing, and give each other the opportunity to review and comment upon, any press release or other public statements with respect to the Merger and shall not issue any such press release or make any such public statement prior to such consultation, except as such party may reasonably conclude may be required by applicable Law, court process or by obligations pursuant to any listing agreement with any national securities exchange or national securities quotation system (and then only after as much advance notice as is feasible); provided that the Company shall not be obligated to engage in such consultation with respect to communications (including communications directed to employees, suppliers, customers, partners, vendors or stockholders) that are consistent with public statements previously made in accordance with this Section 6.14; provided, further, that the restrictions set forth in this Section 6.14 shall not apply to any release or public statement (a) made or proposed to be made by the Company with respect to an Acquisition Proposal, a Superior Proposal or a Company Board Recommendation Change or any action taken pursuant thereto or (b) in connection with any dispute between the parties regarding this Agreement or the Merger. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Affiliates may provide ordinary course communications regarding this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby to existing or prospective general and limited partners, equity holders, members, managers and investors of any Affiliates of such Person, in each case, who are subject to customary confidentiality restrictions.

6.15 Transaction Litigation. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company will provide Parent with prompt notice of all Transaction Litigation (including by providing copies of all pleadings with respect thereto) and keep Parent reasonably informed with respect to the status thereof. The Company will (a) give Parent the opportunity to participate in (but not control) the defense, settlement or prosecution of any Transaction Litigation; and (b) consult with Parent with respect to the defense, settlement and prosecution of any Transaction Litigation. The Company may not compromise or settle any Transaction Litigation unless Parent has consented thereto in writing (which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). For purposes

 

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of this Section 6.15, “participate” means that the Company shall keep Parent reasonably apprised of the proposed strategy and other significant decisions with respect to any Transaction Litigation (to the extent that the attorney-client privilege is not undermined or otherwise adversely affected), and Parent may offer comments or suggestions with respect to such Transaction Litigation which the Company shall consider in good faith, but Parent shall not be afforded decision-making power or authority.

6.16 Stock Exchange Delisting; Deregistration. Prior to the Effective Time, the Company shall cooperate with Parent and use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable on its part pursuant to applicable Law and the rules and regulations of Nasdaq to cause (a) the delisting of the Company Common Stock from Nasdaq as promptly as practicable after the Effective Time; and (b) the deregistration of the Company Common Stock pursuant to the Exchange Act as promptly as practicable after such delisting.

6.17 Additional Agreements. If at any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving Corporation with full title to all properties, assets, rights, approvals, immunities and franchises of either of the Company or Merger Sub, then the proper officers and directors of each Party shall use their reasonable best efforts to take such action.

6.18 Parent Vote. Immediately following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, Parent, in its capacity as the sole stockholder of Merger Sub, shall execute and deliver to Merger Sub and the Company a written consent adopting this Agreement in accordance with the DGCL.

6.19 Certain Arrangements. Without the prior consent of the Special Committee, neither Parent, Merger Sub nor any of their respective Affiliates, directly or indirectly, shall, prior to the Effective Time, have any formal or informal discussions with respect to, or enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding (in each case, whether oral or written), or authorize, commit or agree to enter into any agreement, arrangement or understanding (in each case, whether oral or written), described in Section 4.12 of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VII

CONDITIONS TO THE MERGER

7.1 Conditions to Each Partys Obligations to Effect the Merger. The respective obligations of each Party to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Parent and the Company where permissible pursuant to applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

(a) Requisite Stockholder Approval. The Company’s receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval at the Company Stockholder Meeting.

(b) Antitrust and Foreign Investment Laws. (i) The waiting periods applicable to the Transactions pursuant to the HSR Act will have expired or otherwise been terminated and (ii) the approvals, clearances or expirations of waiting periods set forth in Section 7.1(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter will have occurred or been obtained (as applicable).

 

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(c) No Prohibitive Laws or Injunctions. No Law, injunction or Order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction prohibiting, enjoining or otherwise making illegal the consummation of the Merger shall have been enacted, entered or promulgated and be continuing in effect.

7.2 Conditions to the Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger shall be subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by Parent where permissible pursuant to applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties. (i) The representations and warranties of the Company set forth in the first sentence of Section 3.1, Section 3.2, Section 3.3(a), Section 3.3(b), Section 3.3(e), Section 3.4, clauses (C) and (D) of the fourth sentence of Section 3.7(b) and the first sentence of Section 3.25 shall be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects only as of such specified date), (ii) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.7(a), the first three sentences of Section 3.7(b) and Section 3.7(c) shall be true and correct in all respects on the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects only as of such specified date), except for any inaccuracy or combination of inaccuracies in such representations and warranties relative to the total fully-diluted equity capitalization of the Company as of the Closing Date that do not result in an increase in the aggregate consideration otherwise payable by Parent in the Merger by more than $12,500,000, (iii) the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 3.12(b) shall be true and correct in all respects on the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date, and (iv) the other representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Article III of this Agreement shall be true and correct on the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct only as of such specified date), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality,” “Company Material Adverse Effect” or words of similar import) would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Performance of Obligations of the Company. The Company shall have complied in all material respects with the covenants and obligations of this Agreement required to be performed and complied with by it at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Officers Certificate. Parent and Merger Sub shall have received a certificate of the Company, validly executed for and on behalf of the Company and in its name by a duly authorized executive officer thereof, certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 7.2(a), Section 7.2(b) and Section 7.2(d) have been satisfied.

(d) Company Material Adverse Effect. No Company Material Adverse Effect has occurred since the date of this Agreement.

 

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7.3 Conditions to the Companys Obligations to Effect the Merger. The obligations of the Company to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by the Company where permissible pursuant to applicable Law) at or prior to the Effective Time of each of the following conditions:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of Parent and Merger Sub set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct (disregarding all qualifications or limitations as to “materiality,” “Parent Material Adverse Effect” or words of similar import) as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of such date (except to the extent that any such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of a specific date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct only as of such specified date), except where the failure of any such representations and warranties to be so true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay, or have a material adverse effect on the ability of Parent or Merger Sub to perform its obligations under this Agreement or to consummate the Transactions (a “Parent Material Adverse Effect”).

(b) Performance of Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. Parent and Merger Sub shall have complied in all material respects with the covenants and obligations of this Agreement required to be performed and complied with by Parent and Merger Sub at or prior to the Closing.

(c) Officers Certificate. The Company shall have received a certificate of Parent and Merger Sub, validly executed for and on behalf of Parent and Merger Sub and in their respective names by a duly authorized officer thereof, certifying that the conditions set forth in Section 7.3(a) and Section 7.3(b) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE VIII

TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND WAIVER

8.1 Termination. This Agreement may be validly terminated only as follows (it being understood and agreed that this Agreement may not be terminated for any other reason or on any other basis):

(a) at any time prior to the Effective Time (whether prior to or after the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval) by mutual written agreement of Parent and the Company;

(b) by either Parent or the Company, at any time prior to the Effective Time (whether prior to or after the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval) if (i) any permanent injunction or other judgment or Order issued by any court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction preventing the consummation of the Merger is in effect that, in each case, prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the Merger and has become final and non-appealable; or (ii) any statute, rule or regulation has been enacted, entered or enforced that prohibits, makes illegal or enjoins the consummation of the Merger; provided, however, that the Party seeking to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(b) shall have used such standard of efforts as may be required pursuant to Section 6.2 to prevent, oppose and remove such restraint, injunction or other prohibition;

 

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(c) by either Parent or the Company, at any time prior to the Effective Time (whether prior to or after the receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval) if the Effective Time has not occurred by 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on December 14, 2023 (the “Initial Termination Date”, and the Initial Termination Date, as it may be extended pursuant to this Section 8.1(c), the “Termination Date”); provided, however, that if as of the Initial Termination Date any of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1(c) (solely to the extent such condition has not been satisfied due to an Order or injunction arising under any Antitrust Law or Foreign Investment Law) or Section 7.1(b) shall not have been satisfied or waived, the Termination Date shall be automatically extended until 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on March 14, 2024 and such date, as so extended, shall be the Termination Date; provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(c) will not be available to a Party (treating Parent and Merger Sub as one party for this purpose) if the failure of the Merger to be consummated prior to the Termination Date was primarily due to or primarily caused by the failure of such Party (treating Parent and Merger Sub as one party for this purpose) to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement;

(d) by either Parent or the Company, at any time prior to the Effective Time if the Company fails to obtain the Requisite Stockholder Approval at the Company Stockholder Meeting (or any adjournment or postponement thereof) at which a vote is taken on the Merger;

(e) by Parent, if the Company has breached or failed to perform any of its representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or (b), except that if such breach is capable of being cured prior to the Termination Date, Parent will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement prior to the delivery by Parent to the Company of written notice of such breach, delivered at least 45 days prior to such termination, stating Parent’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) and the basis for such termination, it being understood that Parent will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement if such breach has been cured prior to termination; provided that Parent shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(e) if it or Merger Sub is then in material breach of any representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement that would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.3(a) or (b);

(f) by Parent, if at any time prior to the Company’s receipt of the Requisite Stockholder Approval, the Company Board (acting on the recommendation of the Special Committee) has effected a Company Board Recommendation Change;

(g) by the Company, if Parent or Merger Sub has breached or failed to perform any of its respective representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement, which breach or failure to perform would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.3(a) or (b), except that if such breach is capable of being cured prior to the Termination Date, the Company will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(g) prior to the delivery by the Company to Parent of written notice of such breach, delivered at least 45 days prior to such termination, stating the Company’s intention to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(g) and the basis for such termination, it being understood that the Company will not be entitled to terminate this Agreement if such breach has been cured prior to termination; provided that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8.1(g) if it is then in material breach of any representations, warranties, covenants or other agreements contained in this Agreement that would result in a failure of a condition set forth in Section 7.2(a) or (b);

 

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(h) by the Company, at any time prior to receiving the Requisite Stockholder Approval, in order to substantially concurrently enter into an Alternative Acquisition Agreement providing for a Superior Proposal received after the date of this Agreement, if the Company (x) has complied with Section 5.3(b) and (y) pays to Parent in immediately available funds the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b)(iii) substantially concurrently with such termination; or

(i) by the Company, if (i) all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 are satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied by actions taken at the Closing, so long as such conditions are at the time of termination capable of being satisfied as if such time were the Closing), (ii) Parent fails to consummate the Transactions by the date that is three Business Days after the first date on which Parent is required to consummate the Closing pursuant to Section 2.3, (iii) the transactions contemplated by the Preferred Equity Financing have been consummated or would be consummated in accordance with the terms thereof if the Closing were to occur, and (iv) the Company has irrevocably confirmed to Parent in writing that it is prepared to consummate the Closing.

8.2 Manner and Notice of Termination; Effect of Termination.

(a) Manner of Termination. The Party terminating this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 (other than pursuant to Section 8.1(a)) must deliver prompt written notice thereof to the other Parties specifying the provision of Section 8.1 pursuant to which this Agreement is being terminated.

(b) Effect of Termination. Any valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 will be effective immediately upon the delivery of written notice by the terminating Party to the other Parties. In the event of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1, this Agreement will be of no further force or effect without liability of any Party (or any partner, member, stockholder, director, officer, employee, Affiliate or Representative of such Party) to the other Parties, as applicable, except that Section 6.6(f), Section 6.6(g), Section 6.14, this Section 8.2, Section 8.3 and Article IX will each survive the termination of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing but subject to Section 8.3(e), no termination of this Agreement will relieve any Party from any liability for any Willful and Material Breach of this Agreement by such Party prior to termination. In addition to the foregoing, no termination of this Agreement will affect the rights or obligations of any Party pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement, any applicable clean team or similar arrangement, the Guarantees or the Financing Letters, which rights, obligations and agreements will survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their respective terms.

 

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8.3 Fees and Expenses.

(a) General. Except as set forth in this Agreement, all fees and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the Merger shall be paid by the Party incurring such fees and expenses whether or not the Merger is consummated. For the avoidance of doubt, Parent or the Surviving Corporation shall be responsible for all fees and expenses of the Payment Agent. Except as set forth in Section 2.9(e), the Surviving Corporation shall pay or cause to be paid all (i) transfer, stamp and documentary Taxes; and (ii) sales, use, gains, real property transfer and other similar Taxes, in each case, imposed on the Company and its Subsidiaries in connection with entering into this Agreement and the consummation of the Merger.

(b) Company Payments.

(i) If (A) this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to (x) Section 8.1(c) (provided that (x) at the Termination Date, all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 (other than the condition set forth in Section 7.1(a)) and Section 7.3 have been satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, so long as such conditions are at the time of termination capable of being satisfied as if such time were the Closing) and (y) the failure of the Merger to be consummated prior to the Termination Date was not caused by a breach by the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement, including under Section 6.2), or (y) Section 8.1(d), or (z) Section 8.1(e); (B) following the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to such termination of this Agreement, any Person shall have publicly announced or provided to the Company Board (or the Special Committee) or management of the Company an Acquisition Proposal, and not withdrawn such Acquisition Proposal at least five Business Days prior to the Company Stockholder Meeting or prior to the date of termination in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 8.1(e); and (C) within 12 months following such termination of this Agreement, either an Acquisition Transaction is consummated or the Company enters into a definitive agreement providing for the consummation of an Acquisition Transaction, then the Company shall promptly (and in any event within three Business Days) upon the earlier of entry into such definitive agreement or the consummation of such Acquisition Transaction pay, or cause to be paid, to Parent (or its designee) the Company Termination Fee by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated in writing by Parent. For purposes of this Section 8.3(b)(i), all references to “20%” in the definition of “Acquisition Transaction” will be deemed to be references to “50%.”

(ii) If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(f), then the Company must promptly (and in any event within three Business Days) following such termination pay, or cause to be paid, to Parent the Company Termination Fee by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated in writing by Parent.

(iii) If this Agreement is validly terminated pursuant to Section 8.1(h), then the Company must prior to or substantially concurrently with such termination pay, or cause to be paid, to Parent the Company Termination Fee by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated in writing by Parent.

(c) Parent Payments. If this Agreement is validly terminated (i) by the Company pursuant to Section 8.1(g) or Section 8.1(i) or (ii) by the Company or Parent pursuant to Section 8.1(c) (at a time at which the Company had the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(g) or Section 8.1(i)), then Parent shall promptly (and in any event within three Business Days) pay the Company a termination fee of $277,217,878 (the “Parent Termination Fee”) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account or accounts designated in writing by the Company.

 

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(d) Single Payment Only. The Parties acknowledge and agree that in no event will the Company be required to pay the Company Termination Fee or Parent be required to pay the Parent Termination Fee on more than one occasion, whether or not the Company Termination Fee or Parent Termination Fee, as applicable, may be payable pursuant to more than one provision of this Agreement at the same or at different times and upon the occurrence of different events.

(e) Sole Remedy.

(i) The Company’s receipt of the Parent Termination Fee to the extent owed pursuant to Section 8.3(c) (including the Company’s right to enforce the Guarantees with respect thereto and receive the Parent Termination Fee and any other amounts from the Guarantors), the Company’s right to enforce its rights under the Confidentiality Agreement, the Reimbursement Obligations, the Enforcement Expenses and the Company’s right to specific performance pursuant to Section 9.8 (subject to the fourth sentence of this Section 8.3(e)(i)) will be the sole and exclusive remedies of the Company against (A) Parent, Merger Sub or the Guarantors; (B) the former, current and future directors, managers, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors, agents, other authorized representatives, direct or indirect general or limited partners, stockholders, equityholders, members, Affiliates, successors, beneficiaries, heirs and assignees of each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Guarantors and any of the foregoing’s respective former, current and future directors, managers, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors, agents, other authorized representatives, direct or indirect general or limited partners, stockholders, equityholders, members, Affiliates, successors, beneficiaries, heirs and assignees (such Persons, excluding Parent and Merger Sub, but including the Guarantors, collectively, the “Parent Related Parties”); and (C) the Financing Sources in respect of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith (including the Financing Letters and the Guarantees) and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and upon payment of such amounts, none of Parent, Merger Sub or any of the Parent Related Parties or the Financing Sources will have any further liability or obligation to the Company relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith (including the Financing Letters and the Guarantees) or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (except that Parent, Merger Sub or their applicable Affiliate party to the Confidentiality Agreement will remain obligated with respect to, and the Company and its Subsidiaries may be entitled to remedies with respect to, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Reimbursement Obligations, the Enforcement Expenses and Section 8.3(a)). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if Parent or Merger Sub breaches this Agreement (whether such breach is knowing, deliberate, willful, unintentional, a Willful and Material Breach or otherwise) or fails to perform hereunder (whether such failure is knowing, deliberate, willful, unintentional, a Willful and Material Breach or otherwise), then, except for specific performance to the extent permitted by Section 9.8, the sole and exclusive remedies (whether at Law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) against Parent, Merger Sub or any Parent Related Party for any breach, loss or failure to perform, which recourse shall be solely against Parent or Merger Sub to the extent provided herein and subject to the limitations set forth herein and/or the Guarantors under the Guarantees (to the extent provided therein and subject to the limitations set forth therein), will be (i) if applicable, for the Company to terminate this Agreement in accordance with this Agreement under the circumstances in which

 

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the Parent Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 8.3(c) and for the Company to receive the Parent Termination Fee plus the Reimbursement Obligations and Enforcement Expenses (if any) from Parent (or the Guarantors under the Guarantees, to the extent provided therein and subject to the limitations set forth therein) or (ii) for the Company to terminate this Agreement and seek to recover monetary damages from Parent or Merger Sub for Willful and Material Breach; provided that in no event will any of (A) the Company, its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Affiliates; and (B) the former, current and future directors, managers, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors, agents, other authorized representatives, direct or indirect general or limited partners, stockholders, equityholders, members, Affiliates, successors, beneficiaries, heirs and assignees of the Company and any of the foregoing’s respective former, current and future directors, managers, officers, employees, counsel, financial advisors, auditors, agents, other authorized representatives, direct or indirect general or limited partners, stockholders, equityholders, members, Affiliates, successors, beneficiaries, heirs and assignees (the Persons in this clause (B), collectively, the “Company Related Parties”) be entitled to seek or obtain, nor will they permit any of their Representatives or any other Person acting on their behalf to seek or obtain, nor will any Person be entitled to seek or obtain, any recovery or award, any monetary damages of any kind, including consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages (other than the payment by Parent (or the Guarantors under and in accordance with the Guarantees to the extent provided therein and subject to the limitations therein) of the Parent Termination Fee, the Enforcement Expenses and the Reimbursement Obligations to the extent payable by Parent pursuant to Section 8.3(c)) against Parent, Merger Sub or the Parent Related Parties. For the avoidance of doubt, none of Parent, Merger Sub or the Parent Related Parties (other than Parent and Merger Sub to the extent set forth in this Agreement and the Guarantors solely to the extent set forth in the Guarantees) will have any liability to any person, including any Company Related Party, relating to, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the Equity Commitment Letters or the Guarantees, any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (or the abandonment or termination thereof) or any matters forming the basis for such termination (including in the event of Willful and Material Breach) or in respect of any other document or theory of Law or equity or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith, whether at Law or equity in contract, in tort or otherwise. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, while the Company may pursue a grant of specific performance in accordance with Section 9.8 and payment of the Parent Termination Fee or monetary damages, in no event shall the Company be entitled to obtain (1) both (x) a grant of specific performance pursuant to Section 9.8 that results in the Closing occurring, on the one hand, and (y) the payment of any monetary damages whatsoever (including payment of the Parent Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(c)), on the other hand or (2) both payment of any monetary damages whatsoever, on the one hand, and payment of the Parent Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(c), on the other hand. The Company Related Parties, the Parent Related Parties and the Financing Sources are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 8.3(e). In no event shall Parent, Merger Sub or the Guarantors have liability for monetary damages (including monetary damages in lieu of specific performance and damages pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 8.2(b)) in the aggregate in excess of the Parent Termination Fee, plus any Reimbursement Obligations and Enforcement Expenses. The Parent Termination Fee, the Reimbursement Obligations and the Enforcement Expenses shall be the maximum aggregate liability (including in the case of fraud or Willful and Material Breach) of Parent and Merger Sub hereunder (and of the Guarantors under the Guarantees).

 

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(ii) Parent’s receipt of the Company Termination Fee, any Enforcement Expenses, to the extent owed pursuant to Section 8.3(b), and Parent’s right to specific performance pursuant to Section 9.8 (subject to the fourth sentence of this Section 8.3(e)(ii)) will be the sole and exclusive remedies of Parent and Merger Sub and each of their respective Affiliates and the Parent Related Parties and the Financing Sources against the Company Related Parties in respect of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and upon payment of the Company Termination Fee, none of the Company Related Parties will have any further liability or obligation to Parent or Merger Sub or any Parent Related Parties or Financing Sources relating to or arising out of this Agreement, any agreement executed in connection herewith or the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (except that the Parties (or their Affiliates) will remain obligated with respect to, and Parent and Merger Sub and its Subsidiaries may be entitled to remedies with respect to, the Confidentiality Agreement, the Enforcement Expenses and Section 8.3(a), as applicable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if the Company breaches this Agreement (whether such breach is knowing, deliberate, willful, unintentional, a Willful and Material Breach or otherwise) or fails to perform hereunder (whether such failure is knowing, deliberate, willful, unintentional, a Willful and Material Breach or otherwise), then, except for specific performance to the extent permitted by Section 9.8, the sole and exclusive remedies (whether at Law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise) against the Company or any related Company Related Party for any breach, loss or failure to perform, which recourse shall be solely against the Company to the extent provided herein and subject to the limitations set forth herein, will be (i) if applicable, for Parent to terminate this Agreement in accordance with this Agreement under the circumstances in which the Company Termination Fee is payable pursuant to Section 8.3(b) and receive the Company Termination Fee plus any Enforcement Expenses or (ii) for Parent to terminate this Agreement and Parent or Merger Sub to seek to recover monetary damages from the Company for Willful and Material Breach; provided that in no event will any of the Parent Related Parties seek or obtain, nor will they permit any of their Representatives or any other Person acting on their behalf to seek or obtain, nor will any Person be entitled to seek or obtain, any recovery or award, any monetary damages of any kind, including consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages (other than the payment by the Company of the Company Termination Fee and any Enforcement Expenses against the Company Related Parties). For the avoidance of doubt, none of the Company Related Parties (other than the Company to the extent set forth in this Agreement) will have any liability to any person, including any Parent Related Party, relating to, arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the Transactions (or the abandonment or termination thereof) or any matters forming the basis for such termination (including in the event of Willful and Material Breach) or in respect of any other document or theory of Law or equity or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith or therewith, whether at Law or equity in contract, in tort or otherwise. The Parties acknowledge and agree that, while Parent may pursue a grant of specific performance in accordance with Section 9.8 and payment of the Company Termination Fee or monetary damages, in no event shall Parent be entitled to obtain (1) both (x) a grant of specific performance pursuant to Section 9.8 that results in the Closing occurring, on the one hand, and (y) the payment of any monetary damages whatsoever, and the payment of the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b), on the other hand or (2) both payment of any monetary damages in connection with the termination of this Agreement, on the one hand, and payment of the Company Termination Fee in accordance with Section 8.3(b), on the other hand. In no event shall the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have liability for

 

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monetary damages (including monetary damages in lieu of specific performance and damages pursuant to the penultimate sentence of Section 8.2(b)) in the aggregate in excess of the amount of the Parent Termination Fee plus any Enforcement Expenses, which shall be the maximum aggregate liability (including in the case of fraud or Willful and Material Breach) of the Company and its Subsidiaries with respect to any and all claims under or relating to this Agreement and the Transactions.

(f) Acknowledgments. The Parties acknowledge that the agreements contained in this Section 8.3 are an integral part of this Agreement and that, without Section 8.3(b), Parent would not have entered into this Agreement and that, without Section 8.3(c), the Company would not have entered into this Agreement. Accordingly, if the Company or Parent fails to promptly pay any amount due pursuant to this Section 8.3, and, in order to obtain such payment, the recipient Party commences a Legal Proceeding that results in a judgment against the non-paying Party for the amount set forth in Section 8.3 or any portion thereof, the non-paying Party shall pay to the recipient Party the recipient Party’s reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) in connection with such Legal Proceeding (collectively, the “Enforcement Expenses”), which Enforcement Expenses shall not exceed $5 million. Each of the Parties acknowledges that the Company Termination Fee and the Parent Termination Fee, do not constitute a penalty, but rather shall constitute liquidated damages in a reasonable amount that will compensate a party for the disposition of its rights under this Agreement in the circumstances in which such amounts are due and payable, which amounts would otherwise be impossible to calculate with precision.

8.4 Amendment. Subject to applicable Law and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended by the Parties at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed on behalf of each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company (pursuant to authorized action by the Company Board or the Special Committee), except that in the event that the Company has received the Requisite Stockholder Approval, no amendment may be made to this Agreement that requires the approval of the Company Stockholders pursuant to the DGCL without such approval. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Section 8.3(e), this last sentence of Section 8.4, the last sentence of Section 9.6, Section 9.10(b), Section 9.11 and Section 9.12(c) (and any other provision or definition of this Agreement (including the definition of “Financing Sources” to the extent a modification, waiver or termination of such provision would modify the substance of any of the foregoing provisions) may not be amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified in any manner that is materially adverse to the Financing Sources without the prior written consent of the materially adverse affected Financing Sources (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

8.5 Extension; Waiver. At any time and from time to time prior to the Effective Time, Parent and the Company may, to the extent legally allowed and except as otherwise set forth herein, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the obligations or other acts of the other Party, as applicable; (b) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties of the other Party contained herein or in any document delivered pursuant hereto; and (c) subject to the requirements of applicable Law, waive compliance by the other Party with any of the agreements or conditions contained herein applicable to such Party (it being understood that Parent and Merger Sub shall be deemed a single Party solely for purposes of this Section 8.5). Any agreement on the part of a Party to any such extension or waiver will be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by such Party. Any delay in exercising any right pursuant to this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of such right.

 

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ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub contained in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant to this Agreement will terminate at the Effective Time, except that any covenants that by their terms survive the Effective Time shall survive the Effective Time in accordance with their respective terms.

9.2 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly delivered and received hereunder (i) four Business Days after being sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid; (ii) one Business Day after being sent for next Business Day delivery, fees prepaid, via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service; or (iii) immediately upon delivery by electronic mail or by hand (with a written or electronic confirmation of delivery), in each case to the intended recipient as set forth below:

(a) if to Parent or Merger Sub to:

Capstone Borrower, Inc.

c/o Blackstone, Inc.

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10145

Attn:        Martin Brand

                David Schwartz

Email:      brand@Blackstone.com

                 david.schwartz@Blackstone.com

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

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

425 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10017

Attn:         Elizabeth A. Cooper

                 William J. Allen

Email:       ecooper@stblaw.com

                  william.allen@stblaw.com

 

  (b)

if to the Company (prior to the Effective Time) to:

Cvent Holding Corp.

1765 Greensboro Station Place, 7th Floor

Tysons, VA 22102

Attn:         Jeannette Koonce, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Email:       jkoonce@cvent.com

 

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

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn:         Daniel Wolf, P.C.

                  David M. Klein, P.C.

                  Chelsea N. Darnell

Email:       daniel.wolf@kirkland.com

                  dklein@kirkland.com

                  chelsea.darnell@kirkland.com

Any notice received at the addressee’s location on any Business Day after 5:00 p.m., addressee’s local time, or on any day that is not a Business Day will be deemed to have been received at 9:00 a.m., addressee’s local time, on the next Business Day. From time to time, any Party may provide notice to the other Parties of a change in its address or e-mail address through a notice given in accordance with this Section 9.2, except that that notice of any change to the address or any of the other details specified in or pursuant to this Section 9.2 will not be deemed to have been received until, and will be deemed to have been received upon, the later of the date (A) specified in such notice; or (B) that is five Business Days after such notice would otherwise be deemed to have been received pursuant to this Section 9.2.

9.3 Assignment. No Party may assign either this Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder, by operation of Law or otherwise, without the prior written approval of the other Parties except that Parent will have the right to assign all or any portion of its rights and obligations pursuant to this Agreement from and after the Effective Time to any of its Affiliates and the indemnification and other rights hereunder of a party may be assigned to any Financing Sources, solely for collateral security purposes effective as of or after the Closing. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement will be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. No assignment by any Party will relieve such Party of any of its obligations hereunder. Any purported assignment of this Agreement without the consent required by this Section 9.3 is null and void.

9.4 Confidentiality. Parent, Merger Sub and the Company hereby acknowledge that Blackstone Management Partners L.L.C. and the Company have previously executed the Confidentiality Agreement, that shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with its terms. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and their respective Representatives shall hold and treat all documents and information concerning the Company and its Subsidiaries furnished or made available to Parent, Merger Sub or their respective Representatives in connection with the Merger in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement. By executing this Agreement, each of Parent and Merger Sub agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Confidentiality Agreement as if they were parties thereto.

 

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9.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements among the Parties as contemplated by or referred to herein, including the Confidentiality Agreement, the Company Disclosure Letter, the Parent Disclosure Letter, the Voting Agreements, the Guarantees and the Financing Letters, constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. The Confidentiality Agreement will (a) not be superseded; (b) survive any termination of this Agreement; and (c) continue in full force and effect until the earlier to occur of the Effective Time and the date on which the Confidentiality Agreement expires in accordance with its terms or is validly terminated by the parties thereto.

9.6 Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to and shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, except (a) as set forth in or as contemplated by Section 6.10, (b) if the Closing occurs, for the right of the holders of Company Common Stock, Company Options or Company RSUs to receive the Per Share Price and the Vested Equity Award Consideration, respectively, in each case after the Effective Time and (c) as set forth in or contemplated by Section 8.3(e). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Financing Sources will be express third-party beneficiaries of, and will be entitled to rely on and may enforce, the provisions of Section 8.3(e), the last sentence of Section 8.4, this last sentence of Section 9.6, Section 9.10(b), Section 9.11 and Section 9.12(c) and the definition of “Financing Sources”, in each case, to the extent related to the Financing Sources, the Debt Financing or the Debt Commitment Letter.

9.7 Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the Parties. The Parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

9.8 Remedies.

(a) Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided herein (including Section 8.3(d)), any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a Party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby or by Law or equity upon such Party, and the exercise by a Party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy. Although the Company may pursue both a grant of specific performance and monetary damages, under no circumstances will the Company be permitted or entitled to receive both (x) a grant of specific performance that results in the occurrence of the Closing and (y) monetary damages (including the Parent Termination Fee or any monetary damages in lieu of specific performance).

(b) Specific Performance.

 

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(i) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement, the Parties acknowledge and agree that (A) 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 the provisions of this Agreement (including any Party failing to take such actions as are required of it hereunder in order to consummate this Agreement) in accordance with its specified terms or otherwise breach such provisions; (B) the Parties will be entitled, in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at Law or in equity, to an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief to prevent breaches (or threatened breaches) of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof (including the Company’s right to specific performance to cause Parent and Merger Sub to comply with Section 6.5); (C) the ability of either Party to recover damages for fraud or any Willful and Material Breach of this Agreement (subject to Section 8.3(e)) is not intended to and does not adequately compensate the Company, on the one hand, or Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand, for the harm that would result from a breach of this Agreement, and will not be construed to diminish or otherwise impair in any respect any Party’s right to an injunction, specific performance and other equitable relief; and (D) the right of specific enforcement is an integral part of the Merger and without that right, neither the Company nor Parent would have entered into this Agreement. The Parties agree not to raise any objections, other than those based on the limitations of a Party’s right to such relief under this Agreement, to (I) the granting of an injunction, specific performance or other equitable relief to prevent or restrain breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement by the Company, on the one hand, or Parent and Merger Sub, on the other hand; and (II) the specific performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of, or to enforce compliance with, the covenants, obligations and agreements of Parent and Merger Sub pursuant to this Agreement. Any Party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be required to provide any bond or other security in connection with such injunction or enforcement, and each Party irrevocably waives any right that it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or other security. The Parties further agree that, unless and until any such relief is granted, (x) by seeking the remedies provided for in this Section 9.8, a Party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to a Party under this Agreement, and (y) nothing set forth in this Section 9.8 shall require any Party to institute any proceeding for (or limit any party’s right to institute any proceeding for) specific performance under this Section 9.8 prior to, or as a condition to, exercising any termination right under Article VIII (and pursuing damages after such termination to the extent permitted hereunder), nor shall the commencement of any Legal Proceeding pursuant to this Section 9.8 or anything set forth in this Section 9.8 restrict or limit any Party’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms of Article VIII or pursue any other remedies under this Agreement that may be available then or thereafter.

(ii) Notwithstanding Section 9.8(b)(i), it is acknowledged and agreed that the Company will be entitled to an injunction, specific performance or other equitable remedy to cause Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Closing only in the event that (A) all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the Closing), (B) Parent and Merger Sub fail to consummate the Closing by the date the Closing is required to have occurred pursuant to Section 2.3, (C) all of the conditions to the consummation of the Debt Financing provided by the Debt Commitment Letter have been satisfied (other than the receipt of the Equity Financing and the satisfaction of those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the Closing) and the full amount of the Debt Financing has been funded or would be expected to be funded at the Closing in accordance with the terms of the Debt Commitment Letter if the Equity Financing were

 

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funded at the Closing, (D) the transactions contemplated by the Preferred Equity Financing have been consummated or would be consummated in accordance with the terms thereof if the Closing were to occur, and (E) the Company has irrevocably confirmed in a written notice to Parent that all of the conditions set forth in Section 7.1 and Section 7.2 have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the Closing, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the Closing), and that the Company is prepared to consummate the Closing.

9.9 Governing Law. This Agreement and all actions, proceedings, causes of action, claims or counterclaims (whether based on contract, tort, statute or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the actions of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company in the negotiation, administration, performance and enforcement thereof (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement), shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of Delaware, including its statutes of limitations, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of Laws provision or rule (whether of the State of Delaware or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws, including any statutes of limitations, of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

9.10 Consent to Jurisdiction.

(a) General Jurisdiction. Each of the Parties (i) irrevocably consents to the service of the summons and complaint and any other process (whether inside or outside the territorial jurisdiction of the Chosen Courts) in any Legal Proceeding relating to the Merger or the Guarantees, for and on behalf of itself or any of its properties or assets, in accordance with Section 9.2 or in such other manner as may be permitted by applicable Law, and nothing in this Section 9.10 will affect the right of any Party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by applicable Law; (ii) irrevocably and unconditionally consents and submits itself and its properties and assets in any Legal Proceeding to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any state appellate court therefrom within the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any other state or federal court within the State of Delaware) (the “Chosen Courts”) in the event that any dispute or controversy arises out of this Agreement, the Guarantees or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby; (iii) agrees that it shall not attempt to deny or defeat such personal jurisdiction by motion or other request for leave from any such court; (iv) agrees that any Legal Proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement, the Guarantees or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be brought, tried and determined only in the Chosen Courts; (v) waives any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts or that such Legal Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same; and (vi) agrees that it shall not bring any Legal Proceeding relating to this Agreement, the Guarantees or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in any court other than the Chosen Courts. Each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company agrees that a final judgment in any Legal Proceeding in the Chosen Courts will be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Law.

 

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(b) Jurisdiction for Financing Sources. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing, all disputes against any of the Financing Sources under or in respect of any Debt Financing or related to this Agreement or the facts and circumstances leading to its execution, whether in contract, tort or otherwise (including any dispute arising out of or relating in any way to any Debt Financing), will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts executed in and to be performed entirely within such State (without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in the application of any Law other than the law of the State of New York, except to the extent relating to the interpretation of any provisions in this Agreement (including any provision in the Debt Commitment Letter or in any definitive documentation related to the Debt Financing that expressly specifies that the interpretation of such provisions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware)) and each of the Parties agrees that it will not bring or support any such action against the Financing Sources in any forum other than any New York state or federal court located in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York. The Parties hereto further agree that all of the provisions of Section 9.11 related to waiver of jury trial shall apply to any Legal Proceeding, cause of action, claim, cross-claim or third-party claim referenced in this sentence.

9.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY ARISE PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT THAT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORTIOUS CONDUCT OR OTHERWISE) DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE MERGER, THE GUARANTEES, THE FINANCING LETTERS OR THE FINANCING. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT (i) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY 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; (ii) IT UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER; (iii) IT MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY; AND (iv) IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 9.11.

9.12 No Recourse.

(a) This Agreement may only be enforced against, and any claims or causes of action that may be based upon, arise out of or relate to this Agreement, or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement may only be made against the entities that are expressly identified as parties hereto and no Parent Related Parties (other than the Guarantors to the extent set forth in the Guarantees or Equity Commitment Letters) shall have any liability for any obligations or liabilities of the parties to this Agreement (whether for indemnification or otherwise) or for any claim (whether in tort, contract or otherwise, including under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 or other Environmental Laws) based on, in respect of, or by reason of, the transactions contemplated hereby or in respect of any oral representations made or alleged to be made in connection herewith. It is further understood that any certificate or certification contemplated by this Agreement and executed by an officer of a Party will be deemed to have been delivered only in such officer’s capacity as an officer of such Party (and not in his or her individual capacity) and will not entitle any Party to assert a claim against such officer in his or her individual capacity.

 

 

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(b) The Company (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates, and any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates) covenants and agrees that it shall not institute, and shall cause its Representatives and Affiliates not to bring, make or institute any action, claim, proceeding (whether based in Contract, tort, fraud, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise, at law or in equity) arising under or in connection with this Agreement or other agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby against any of the Parent Related Parties and that none of the Parent Related Parties shall have any liability or obligations (whether based in Contract, tort, fraud, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise) to the Company, the Company’s Subsidiaries, any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates (or any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates) or any of their respective successors, heirs or representatives thereof arising out of or relating to this Agreement or other agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, other than, in each case, Parent and Merger Sub to the extent provided herein, or the Guarantors pursuant to the Guarantees (to the extent and subject to the terms provided therein). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted or otherwise conceivable under applicable Law (and subject only to the specific contractual provisions of this Agreement or agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith), the Company (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates, and any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates) hereby waives, releases and disclaims any and all rights in respect of any such actions, claims, proceedings, obligations and liabilities. Each of Parent and Merger Sub (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates, and any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or their Affiliates) covenants and agrees that it shall not institute, and shall cause its Representatives and Affiliates not to bring, make or institute any action, claim, proceeding (whether based in Contract, tort, fraud, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise, at law or in equity) arising under or in connection with this Agreement or other agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby against any of the Company Related Parties and that none of the Company Related Parties shall have any liability or obligations (whether based in Contract, tort, fraud, strict liability, other Laws or otherwise) to Parent, Merger Sub, any of their respective Representatives or Affiliates (or any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of Parent, Merger Sub or their Affiliates) or any of their respective successors, heirs or representatives thereof arising out of or relating to this Agreement or other agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, other than, in each case, (x) the Company to the extent provided herein, (x) each Person who has entered into a Voting Agreement (to the extent and subject to the terms provided therein) and (y) the Specified Stockholders (or their Affiliates) who are parties to any definitive agreement in respect of the Preferred Equity Financing Agreement (to the extent and subject to the terms provided therein). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the maximum extent permitted or otherwise conceivable under applicable Law (and subject only to the specific contractual provisions of this Agreement or agreement executed or delivered in connection herewith), each of Parent and Merger Sub (on behalf of itself, its Affiliates, and any Person claiming by, through or on behalf of the Company or its Affiliates) hereby waives, releases and disclaims any and all rights in respect of any such actions, claims, proceedings, obligations and liabilities.

 

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(c) The Company (on behalf of itself, its Subsidiaries and its Representatives) hereby waives any claims or rights against any Financing Source relating to or arising out of the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter, the transactions contemplated thereby, this Agreement and the Transactions, whether at law or in equity and whether in tort, contract or otherwise. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing waivers and agreements, it is acknowledged and agreed that no Financing Source will have any liability for any claims or damages to the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Representatives in connection with the Debt Financing, the Debt Commitment Letter, the transactions contemplated thereby, this Agreement and the Transactions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 9.12(c) will in any way limit or modify the rights of Parent under this Agreement or the Debt Commitment Letter or the obligations of any Financing Source under the Debt Commitment Letter owing to Parent or its respective Affiliates party to the Debt Commitment Letter.

9.13 Company Disclosure Letter References. The Parties agree that the disclosure set forth in any particular section or subsection of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed to be an exception to (or, as applicable, a disclosure for purposes of) (a) the representations and warranties (or covenants, as applicable) of the Company that are set forth in the corresponding Section or subsection of this Agreement; and (b) any other representations and warranties (or covenants, as applicable) of the Company that are set forth in this Agreement, but in the case of this clause (b) only if the relevance of that disclosure as an exception to (or a disclosure for purposes of) such other representations and warranties (or covenants, as applicable) is reasonably apparent on its face; provided that, with respect to Section 3.12(b), only items (if any) disclosed against Section 3.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Letter shall be deemed disclosure with respect to Section 3.12(b).

9.14 Counterparts. This Agreement and any amendments hereto may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which will be considered one and the same agreement and will become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the Parties and delivered to the other Parties, it being understood that all Parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by fax or .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”), will be treated in all manner and respects as an original executed counterpart and will be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person. No Party may raise the use of an Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature, or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of an Electronic Delivery, as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each Party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.

[Signature page follows.]

 

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

 

CAPSTONE BORROWER, INC.
By:   /s/ David Schwartz
Name: David Schwartz
Title: Vice President
CAPSTONE MERGER SUB, INC.
By:   /s/ David Schwartz
Name: David Schwartz
Title: Vice President
CVENT HOLDING CORP.
By:   /s/ Rajeev K. Aggarwal
Name: Rajeev K. Aggarwal
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signature Page to Agreement and Plan of Merger]