UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 24, 2016 (August 18, 2016)

 

 

 

STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Republic of Marshall Islands   001-37862   N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

90 Kifissias Avenue, Maroussi Athens, Greece   15125
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +30 210 876-4858

 

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 to 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))

 

 

 

   

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On August 18, 2016, the registration statement (File No. 333-212377) (the “Registration Statement”) for Stellar Acquisition III Inc.’s (the “Company”) initial public offering (“IPO”) was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In connection therewith and the closing of the IPO, the Company entered into the following agreements previously filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement:

 

An Underwriting Agreement, dated August 19, 2016, by and between the Company and Maxim Group LLC (“Maxim”), as representative of the underwriters;

 

An Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company;

 

A Warrant Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company;

 

A Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company and certain security holders of the Company;

 

A Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company, the initial shareholders, officers and directors of the Company; and

 

An Administrative Services Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company and Nautilus Energy Management Corp.

 

On August 24, 2016, the Company consummated its IPO of 6,500,000 units (the “Units”). Each Unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), and one warrant (“Public Warrant”) to purchase one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The Units were sold at an offering price of $10.00 per Unit, generating gross proceeds of $65,000,000. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 975,000 additional Units to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

Simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO and the sale of the Units, the Company consummated the private placement (“Private Placement”) of 7,650,000 warrants (“Placement Warrants”) at a price of $0.50 per Placement Warrant, generating total proceeds of $3,825,000. The Placement Warrants, which were purchased by the Company’s sponsors, are substantially similar to the Public Warrants, except that if held by the original holders or their permitted assigns, they (i) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, (ii) are not subject to being called for redemption and (iii) subject to certain limited exceptions, will be subject to transfer restrictions until 30 days following the consummation of the Company’s initial business combination. If the Placement Warrants are held by holders other than its initial holders, the Placement Warrants will be redeemable by the Company and exercisable by holders on the same basis as the Public Warrants.

 

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

 

On August 19, 2016, the Company filed its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation in the Republic of Marshall Islands. The terms of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation are set forth in the Registration Statement and are incorporated herein by reference. A copy of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation is attached as Exhibit 3.1 hereto and is incorporated by reference herein.

 

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Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

A total of $66,300,000 of the net proceeds from the IPO and the Private Placement were placed in a trust account established for the benefit of the Company’s public stockholders at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., with Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company acting as trustee. Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay income taxes and working capital (including using interest to repay any loans made by the Company’s sponsors, if any, or to apply interest to the sponsors’ obligation to loan the Company money in connection with an extension), none of the funds held in the trust account will be released until the earlier of the completion of the Company’s initial business combination or the redemption of 100% of the Common Stock issued by the Company in the IPO if the Company is unable to consummate an initial business combination within 12 months from the closing of the IPO (or up to 21 months from the closing of the IPO if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a business combination, as described in more detail in the Registration Statement).

 

Copies of the press releases issued by the Company announcing the pricing of the IPO and the consummation of the IPO are included as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

1.1 Underwriting Agreement, dated August 19, 2016, by and between the Company and Maxim
   
3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
   
4.1 Warrant Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company
   
10.1 Investment Management Trust Account Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company
   
10.2   Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and among the Company and certain security holders
   
10.3   Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company, the initial shareholders and the officers and directors of the Company
   
10.4   Administrative Services Agreement, dated August 18, 2016, by and between the Company and Nautilus Energy Management Corp.
   
99.1 Press Release Announcing Pricing of IPO
   
99.2 Press Release Announcing Closing of IPO

 

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SIGNATURE

 

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

 

Dated: August 24, 2016

 

  STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.
     
  By:  /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Title: Chairman, co-Chief Executive Officer and President

 

 

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Exhibit 1.1

 

6,500,000 Units

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

 

UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

New York, New York

August 19, 2016

 

MAXIM GROUP LLC

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10174

 

As Representative of the Underwriters

named on Schedule A hereto

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a Marshall Islands company (“ Company ”), hereby confirms its agreement with Maxim Group LLC (hereinafter referred to as “ you ”, “ Maxim ”, or as the “ Representative ”) and with the other underwriters named on Schedule A hereto for which you are acting as representative (the Representative and the other Underwriters being collectively referred to herein as the “ Underwriters ” or, individually, an “ Underwriter ”), as follows:

 

1.             Purchase and Sale of Securities .

 

1.1.         Firm Securities .

 

1.1.1.         Purchase of Firm Units . On the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained, but subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell, severally and not jointly, to the several Underwriters, an aggregate of 6,500,000 units (the “ Firm Units ”) of the Company at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions, including the Deferred Underwriting Commission described in Section 1.3 below) of $9.55 per Firm Unit. The Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agree to purchase from the Company the number of Firm Units set forth opposite their respective names on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof at a purchase price (net of discounts and commissions, including the Deferred Underwriting Commission described in Section 1.3 below) of $9.55 per Firm Unit. The Firm Units (and the Option Units (as hereinafter defined), if any) are to be offered initially to the public (the “ Offering ”) at the offering price of $10.00 per Firm Unit. Each Firm Unit consists of one share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share of the Company (the “ Common Stock ”), and one redeemable warrant to purchase one share of Common Stock (the “ Warrant(s) ”). The shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Firm Units will not be separately transferable until the earlier of the 52 nd day after the Effective Date (as defined below) or the announcement by the Company of the Representative’s decision to allow earlier trading, subject, however, to the Company filing a Current Report on Form 8-K (“ Form 8-K ”) with the Commission (as defined below) containing an audited balanced sheet reflecting our receipt of the gross proceeds of the Offering and issuing a press release announcing when such separate trading will begin. In no event will the Company allow separate trading until (i) the preparation of an audited balance sheet of the Company reflecting receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the Offering and the filing of such audited balance sheet with the Commission (as herein defined) on a Form 8-K or similar form by the Company which includes such balance sheet and (ii) the issuance of a press release announcing when such separate trading shall begin. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock for $11.50 per share during the period commencing on the later of (a) 30 days after the closing of a Business Combination, or (b) twelve months from the Closing (as defined below), and terminating on the five (5) year anniversary of the closing of a Business Combination. As used herein, the term “ Business Combination ” shall mean any acquisition by merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or similar business combination of one or more operating businesses by the Company. The Company has the right to redeem the Warrants, with the prior consent of the Representative, upon not less than thirty (30) days written notice at a price of $0.01 per Warrant at any time after the Warrants become exercisable; so long as the last sales price of the Common Stock has been at least $21.00 for any twenty (20) trading days within a thirty (30) trading day period ending on the third (3rd) Business Day prior to the day on which notice is given. As used herein, the term “ Business Day ” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any day on which national banks in New York, New York are not open for business.

 

 

 

1.1.2.         Payment and Delivery . Delivery and payment for the Firm Units shall be made at 10:00 A.M., New York time, on the third (3rd) Business Day following the date that the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission (the “ Effective Date ”) (or the fourth (4th) Business Day following the Effective Date, if the Registration Statement is declared effective at or after 4:00 p.m.) or at such earlier time as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company at the offices of Maxim or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by the Representative and the Company. The closing of the public offering contemplated by this Agreement is referred to herein as the “Closing” and the hour and date of delivery and payment for the Firm Units is referred to herein as the “ Closing Date .” Payment for the Firm Units shall be made on the Closing Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds. $66,300,000 ($76,245,000 if the Over-allotment Option (as defined in Section 1.2) is exercised in full), or $10.20 per unit, of the proceeds received by the Company for the Firm Units and from the Private Placement (as defined in Section 1.4) shall be deposited in the trust account established by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”) for the benefit of the public shareholders as described in the Registration Statement (the “ Trust Account ”) pursuant to the terms of an Investment Management Trust Agreement (the “ Trust Agreement ”). The Underwriters shall place an aggregate of $1,625,000 ($1,868,750 if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full), or $0.25 per Firm Unit, payable to the Underwriters as a Deferred Underwriting Commission in accordance with Section 1.3 hereof, in the Trust Account. The proceeds (less commissions, expense allowance and actual expense payments or other fees payable pursuant to this Agreement) shall be paid to the order of the Company upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Firm Units (or through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (the “ DTC ”)) for the account of the Underwriters. The Firm Units shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request in writing at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date. The Company will permit the Representative to examine and package the Firm Units for delivery at least one (1) full Business Day prior to the Closing Date. The Company shall not be obligated to sell or deliver the Firm Units except upon tender of payment by the Representative for all the Firm Units.

 

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1.2.         Over-Allotment Option .

 

1.2.1.         Option Units . For the purpose of covering any over-allotments in connection with the distribution and sale of the Firm Units, the Underwriters are hereby granted, severally and not jointly, an option to purchase up to an additional 975,000 units from the Company (the “ Over-allotment Option ”). Such additional 975,000 units shall be identical in all respects to the Firm Units and are hereinafter referred to as “ Option Units .” The Firm Units and the Option Units are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “ Units ,” and the Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “ Public Securities .” The purchase price to be paid for the Option Units (net of discounts and commissions, including the Deferred Underwriting Commission described in Section 1.3 below) will be $9.55 per Option Unit. The Option Units are to be offered initially to the public at the offering price of $10.00 per Option Unit.

 

1.2.2.         Exercise of Option . The Over-allotment Option granted pursuant to Section 1.2.1 hereof may be exercised by the Representative as to all (at any time) or any part (from time to time) of the Option Units within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date. The Underwriters will not be under any obligation to purchase any Option Units prior to the exercise of the Over-allotment Option. The Over-allotment Option granted hereby may be exercised by the giving of oral notice to the Company from the Representative, which must be confirmed in writing by overnight mail or facsimile transmission or e-mail setting forth the number of Option Units to be purchased and the date and time for delivery of and payment for the Option Units, which will not be later than five (5) Business Days after the date of the notice or such other time as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative, at the offices of the Representative or at such other place or in such other manner as shall be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative. If such delivery and payment for the Option Units does not occur on the Closing Date, the date and time of the closing for such Option Units will be as set forth in the notice (hereinafter the “ Option Closing Date ”). Upon exercise of the Over-allotment Option, the Company will become obligated to convey to the Underwriters, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Underwriters will become obligated to purchase, the number of Option Units specified in such notice.

 

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1.2.3.         Payment and Delivery . Payment for the Option Units shall be made on the Option Closing Date at the Representative’s election by wire transfer in Federal (same day) funds or by certified or bank cashier’s check(s) in New York Clearing House funds, by deposit of the sum of $9.55 per Option Unit in the Trust Account pursuant to the Trust Agreement upon delivery to the Representative of certificates (in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters) representing the Option Units (or through the facilities of DTC) for the account of the Underwriters. In addition, the Underwriters shall place an aggregate of $0.25 per Option Unit (up to $243,750), payable to the Underwriters, as Deferred Underwriting Commission, in accordance with Section 1.3 hereof, in the Trust Account. The certificates representing the Option Units to be delivered will be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Representative requests not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and will be made available to the Representative for inspection, checking and packaging at the aforesaid office of the Company’s transfer agent or correspondent not less than one (1) full Business Day prior to such Closing Date or Option Closing Date.

 

1.3.         Deferred Underwriting Commission . The Underwriters agree that 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Firm Units ($1,625,000) and 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sale of the Option Units (up to $243,750) (the Deferred Underwriting Commission ”) will be deposited in and held in the Trust Account and payable directly from the Trust Account, without accrued interest, to the Underwriters for their own account upon consummation of the Company’s Business Combination. In the event that a Business Combination is consummated, the amount of Deferred Underwriting Compensation paid to the Underwriters upon consummation of the Business Combination shall be reduced by $0.25 for each share of Common Stock redeemed by the Company’s shareholders or otherwise repurchased by the Company in connection with the Business Combination or a vote of the Company’s stockholders to extend the life of the Company. Upon closing of the Business Combination, each of the Underwriters shall receive a portion of the Deferred Underwriting Commission proportional to the number of Firm Units purchased by such Underwriter. In the event that the Company is unable to consummate a Business Combination and CST, as the trustee of the Trust Account (in this context, the Trustee ”), commences liquidation of the Trust Account as provided in the Trust Agreement, the Underwriter agrees that: (i) the Underwriters hereby forfeit any rights or claims to the Deferred Underwriting Commission; and (ii) the Deferred Underwriting Commission, together with all other amounts on deposit in the Trust Account, shall be distributed on a pro-rata basis among the Public Stockholders.

 

1.4.         Underwriters’ Purchase Option .

 

1.4.1.         Purchase Option . As additional consideration, the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to the Underwriters on the Effective Date an option (“ Underwriters’ Purchase Option ”) for the purchase of an aggregate of 130,000 units (the “ Underwriters’ Units ”) for an aggregate purchase price of $100.00. Each of the Underwriters shall receive a portion of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option proportional to the number of Firm Units purchased by such Underwriter. The Underwriters’ Purchase Option shall be exercisable, in whole or in part, commencing the later of (i) the closing of the Business Combination, or (ii) one year from the Effective Date, and expiring on the earlier of (x) five years from the Effective Date, and (y) the day immediately prior to the day on which the Company and all of its successors have been dissolved, for cash or on a cashless basis, at an initial exercise price per Representative’s Unit of $11.50, which is equal to one hundred and fifteen percent (115%) of the initial public offering price of a Unit. The Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Underwriters’ Units, the shares of Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Underwriters’ Units (the “ Underwriters’ Warrants ”) and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriters’ Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “ Underwriters’ Securities .” The Representative understands and agrees that there are significant restrictions against transferring the Underwriters’ Purchase Option during the first six (6) months after the Effective Date, as set forth in Section 3 of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option.

 

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1.4.2.         Delivery and Payment . Delivery and payment for the Underwriters’ Purchase Option shall be made on the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Underwriters and their designees upon payment therefor, certificates for the Underwriters’ Purchase Option in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Underwriters may request.

 

1.5.         Underwriters’ Shares . As additional consideration, the Company shall issue to the Underwriters, proportionally based on the number of Firm Units Purchased, on the Effective Date, 100,000 shares of Common Stock (“ Initial Underwriters’ Shares ”). Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company shall issue to the Underwriters, proportionally based on the number of Firm Units Purchased, up to 15,000 additional shares of Common Stock (together with the Initial Underwriters’ Shares, the “ Underwriters’ Shares ”), to be proportionally reduced based on the amount of the Over-Allotment Option exercised. The Public Securities, the Underwriters’ Securities and the Underwriters’ Shares are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “ Securities .”

 

1.5.1.         Lock-Up . The Underwriters agree that, during the Lock-Up Period (as defined below), they will not (a) sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise transfer the Underwriters’ Shares other than to a bona fide officer or partner of the Holder or any selected dealer in connection with the Offering, in each case in accordance with FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(g)(1), or (b) cause the Underwriters’ Shares to be the subject of any hedging, short sale, derivative, put or call transaction that would result in the effective economic disposition of the Underwriters’ Shares, except as provided for in FINRA Rule 5110(g)(2).  As used herein, the term “ Lock-Up Period ” means the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the later of (i) the one hundred eighty day anniversary of the Effective Date as specified by FINRA Conduct Rule 5110(g)(1), and (ii) the closing of a Business Combination.

 

1.5.2.         Delivery . Delivery for the Underwriters’ Shares shall be made on the Closing Date. The Company shall deliver to the Underwriters certificates for the Underwriters’ Shares in the name or names and in such authorized denominations as the Representative may request.

 

1.5.3.         Redemption and Liquidation . The Underwriters agree that if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with such proposed Business Combination, the Underwriters shall not redeem any Underwriters’ Shares in connection with such shareholder approval. The Underwriters acknowledge that they have no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company with respect to the Underwriters’ Shares. The Underwriters further waive, with respect to the Underwriters’ Shares, any redemption they may have in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, including, without limitation, any such rights available in the context of a shareholder vote to approve such Business Combination or in the context of a tender offer made by the Company to purchase shares of the Common Stock. The Underwriters shall not transfer any of the Underwriters’ Shares unless the transferee agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section 1.5.3.

 

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1.6.         Private Placement to the Officers and Directors and Designees . Immediately prior to the Closing, certain officers and directors of the Company and their designees, or entities wholly owned by them, shall purchase from the Company pursuant to the Warrants Purchase Agreement (as defined in Section 2.23.2 hereof) an aggregate of 7,650,000 warrants (or 8,430,000 warrants if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full) (the “ Placement Warrants ”) at a purchase price of $0.50 per Placement Warrants in a private placement (the “ Private Placement ”). The Placement Warrants and the securities issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants are hereinafter referred to collectively as the “ Placement Securities .” There will be no placement agent in the Private Placement and no party shall be entitled to a placement fee or expense allowance from the sale of the Placement Securities.

 

2.             Representations and Warranties of the Company . The Company represents and warrants to the Underwriters as follows:

 

2.1.         Filing of Registration Statement .

 

2.1.1.         Pursuant to the Act . The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement and an amendment or amendments thereto, on Form S-1 (File No. 333-212377), including any related preliminary prospectus (the “ Preliminary Prospectus ”, including any prospectus that is included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement), for the registration of the Public Securities under the Act, which registration statement and amendment or amendments have been prepared by the Company in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Act, and the rules and regulations (the “ Regulations ”) of the Commission under the Act. The conditions for use of Form S-1 to register the Offering under the Act, as set forth in the General Instructions to such Form, have been satisfied in all material respects. Except as the context may otherwise require, such registration statement, as amended, on file with the Commission at the time the registration statement becomes effective (including the prospectus, financial statements, schedules, exhibits and all other documents filed as a part thereof or incorporated therein and all information deemed to be a part thereof as of such time pursuant to Rule 430A of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “ Registration Statement ,” and the form of the final prospectus dated the Effective Date included in the Registration Statement (or, if applicable, the form of final prospectus containing information permitted to be omitted at the time of effectiveness by Rule 430A of the Regulations filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Regulations), is hereinafter called the “ Prospectus .” For purposes of this Agreement, “ Time of Sale ”, as used in the Act, means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of this Agreement. If the Company has filed, or is required pursuant to the terms hereof to file, a registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act registering the Securities (a “ Rule 462(b) Registration Statement ”), then, unless otherwise specified, any reference herein to the term “ Registration Statement ” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. Other than a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, which, if filed, becomes effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Registration Statement has heretofore been filed with the Commission. All of the Public Securities have been registered under the Securities Act pursuant to the Registration Statement or, if any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement is filed, will be duly registered under the Securities Act with the filing of such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission on the date hereof. If, subsequent to the date of this Agreement, the Company or the Representative has determined that at the Time of Sale the Prospectus included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted a statement of material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and have agreed to provide an opportunity to purchasers of the Units to terminate their old purchase contracts and enter into new purchase contracts, the Prospectus will be deemed to include any additional information available to purchasers at the time of entry into the such new purchase contract.

 

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2.1.2.         Pursuant to the Exchange Act . The Company has filed with the Commission a Form 8-A (File Number 001-37862) providing for the registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), of the Units, the Common Stock and the Warrants. The registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the Exchange Act will be declared effective by the Commission on or prior to the Effective Date.

 

2.2.         No Stop Orders, Etc. Neither the Commission nor, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any state regulatory authority has issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or has instituted or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

2.3.         Disclosures in Registration Statement .

 

2.3.1.         10b-5 Representation . At the time the Registration Statement became effective, upon the filing or first use (within the meaning of the Regulations) of the Prospectus and at the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus contained or will contain all material statements that are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations, and did or will in all material respects conform to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations. Neither the Registration Statement nor any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, nor any amendment or supplement thereto, on their respective dates, did or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. When any Preliminary Prospectus was first filed with the Commission (whether filed as part of the Registration Statement for the registration of the Securities or any amendment thereto or pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the Regulations) or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations) and when any amendment thereof or supplement thereto was first filed with the Commission or first used (within the meaning of the Regulations), such Preliminary Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto complied or will have been corrected in the Prospectus to comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Act and the Regulations and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The representation and warranty made in this Section 2.3.1 does not apply to statements made or statements omitted in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to the Underwriters by the Representative expressly for use in the Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto. It is understood the following identified statements set forth in the Prospectus under the heading “Underwriting” constitute, for the purposes of this Agreement, information furnished by the Representative with respect to the Underwriters: (i) the table of underwriters in the first paragraph of “Underwriting”, (ii) the fourth and fifth paragraphs of “Underwriting”, (iii) the first paragraph of the Underwriting subsection “Underwriting Discount”, (iv) the Underwriting subsection “Price Stabilization, Short Positions”, and (v) the Underwriting subsection “Electronic Distribution.”

 

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2.3.2.         Disclosure of Agreements . The agreements and documents described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus conform to the descriptions thereof contained therein and there are no agreements or other documents required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or to be filed with the Commission as exhibits to the Registration Statement, that have not been so described or filed. Each agreement or other instrument (however characterized or described) to which the Company is a party or by which its property or business is or may be bound or affected and (i) that is referred to in the Registration Statement, Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or attached as an exhibit thereto, or (ii) is material to the Company’s business, has been duly and validly executed by the Company, is in full force and effect in all material respects and is enforceable against the Company and, to the Company’s knowledge, the other parties thereto, in accordance with its terms, except ( x ) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, ( y ) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws, and ( z ) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought, and none of such agreements or instruments has been assigned by the Company, and neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any other party is in breach or default thereunder and, to the Company’s knowledge, no event has occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a breach or default thereunder. To the Company’s knowledge, performance by the Company of the material provisions of such agreements or instruments will not result in a material violation of any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its assets or businesses, including, without limitation, those relating to environmental laws and regulations.

 

2.3.3.         Prior Securities Transactions . No securities of the Company have been sold by the Company or by or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, any person or persons controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company since the date of the Company’s formation, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement.

 

2.3.4.         Regulations . The disclosures in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus concerning the effects of federal, state and local regulation on the Company’s business as currently contemplated fairly summarize, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, such effects and do not omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading.

 

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2.4.         Changes After Dates in Registration Statement .

 

2.4.1.         No Material Adverse Change . Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus (i) there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, or business prospects of the Company; (ii) there have been no material transactions entered into by the Company, other than as contemplated pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) no member of the Company’s board of directors or management has resigned from any position with the Company and (iv) no event or occurrence has taken place which materially impairs, or would likely materially impair, with the passage of time, the ability of the members of the Company’s board of directors or management to act in their capacities with the Company as described in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

 

2.4.2.         Recent Securities Transactions, Etc. Except as contemplated in the Prospectus, subsequent to the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be indicated or contemplated herein or therein, the Company has not: (i) issued any securities or incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, for borrowed money; or (ii) declared or paid any dividend or made any other distribution on or in respect to its capital stock.

 

2.5.         Independent Accountants . To the best of the Company’s knowledge, WithumSmith+Brown, PC (“ Withum ”), whose report is filed with the Commission as part of the Registration Statement and included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, are independent accountants as required by the Act and the Regulations and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (including the rules and regulations promulgated by such entity, the “ PCAOB ”). To the best of the Company’s knowledge, Withum is duly registered and in good standing with the PCAOB. Withum has not, during the periods covered by the financial statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, provided to the Company any non-audit services, as such term is used in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.

 

2.6.         Financial Statements; Statistical Data .

 

2.6.1.         Financial Statements . The financial statements, including the notes thereto and supporting schedules, included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus fairly present the financial position and the results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods to which they apply; and such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied throughout the periods involved; and the supporting schedules included in the Registration Statement present fairly the information required to be stated therein. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, no other financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus. The Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that may have a material current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. To the best of the Company’s knowledge, there are no pro forma or as adjusted financial statements which are required to be included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus in accordance with Regulation S-X which have not been included as so required.

 

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2.6.2.         Statistical Data . The statistical, industry-related and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources which the Company reasonably and in good faith believes are reliable and accurate, and such data agree with the sources from which they are derived.

 

2.7.         Authorized Capital; Options, Etc. The Company had at the date or dates indicated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be, duly authorized, issued and outstanding capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Based on the assumptions stated in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company will have on the Closing Date the adjusted stock capitalization set forth therein. Except as set forth in, or contemplated by, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, on the Effective Date and on the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, there will be no options, warrants, or other rights to purchase or otherwise acquire any authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock of the Company or any security convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any contracts or commitments to issue or sell shares of Common Stock or any such options, warrants, rights or convertible securities.

 

2.8.         Valid Issuance of Securities, Etc .

 

2.8.1.         Outstanding Securities . All issued and outstanding securities of the Company (including, without limitation, the Placement Securities) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof have no rights of rescission with respect thereto, and are not subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; and none of such securities were issued in violation of the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company. The Public Securities conform in all material respects to all statements relating thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, the offers and sales of the outstanding shares of Common Stock were at all relevant times either registered under the Act and the applicable Blue Sky laws or, based in part on the representations and warranties of the purchasers of such shares of Common Stock, exempt from such registration requirements.

 

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2.8.2.         Securities Sold . The Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance and when issued and paid for, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders; the Securities are not and will not be subject to the preemptive rights of any holders of any security of the Company or similar contractual rights granted by the Company; and all corporate actions required to be taken for the authorization, issuance and sale of the Securities have been duly and validly taken. The Securities conform in all material respects to all statements with respect thereto contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, as the case may be. When issued, the Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Underwriters’ Warrants and the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon exercise thereof and payment of the respective exercise prices therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof and such Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Underwriters’ Warrants and the Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Underwriters’ Warrants and the Warrants have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Underwriters’ Warrants, and the Warrants, respectively, and, when issued in accordance with the terms of such securities, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders.

 

2.8.3.         Placement Warrants . The Placement Warrants constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company to issue and sell, upon payment therefor, the number and type of securities of the Company called for thereby in accordance with the terms thereof, and such Placement Warrants are enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. The securities issuable upon exercise of the Placement Warrants have been reserved for issuance upon the exercise of the Placement Warrants and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Placement Warrants, will be duly and validly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and the holders thereof are not and will not be subject to personal liability by reason of being such holders.

 

2.8.4.         No Integration . Subject to the disclosure contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus with respect to the Placement Securities, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates has, prior to the date hereof, made any offer or sale of any securities which are required to be “integrated” pursuant to the Act or the Regulations with the offer and sale of the Public Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement.

 

2.9.         Registration Rights of Third Parties . Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, no holders of any securities of the Company or any rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into securities of the Company have the right to require the Company to register any such securities of the Company under the Act or to include any such securities in a registration statement to be filed by the Company.

 

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2.10.       Validity and Binding Effect of Agreements . This Agreement, the Warrant Agreement (as defined in Section 2.22 hereof), the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement (as defined in Section 3.7.2 hereof), and the Warrants Purchase Agreement (as defined in Section 2.23.2 hereof) have been duly and validly authorized by the Company and constitute valid and binding agreements of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification or contribution provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.

 

2.11.       No Conflicts, Etc. The execution, delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, and the Warrants Purchase Agreement, the consummation by the Company of the transactions herein and therein contemplated and the compliance by the Company with the terms hereof and thereof do not and will not, with or without the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both: (i) result in a material breach of, or conflict with any of the terms and provisions of, or constitute a material default under, or result in the creation, modification, termination or imposition of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company; or (iii) violate any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or business.

 

2.12.       No Defaults; Violations . No material default exists in the due performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any material license, contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, note, loan or credit agreement, or any other agreement or instrument evidencing an obligation for borrowed money, or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound or to which any of the properties or assets of the Company is subject. The Company is not in breach of any material franchise, license, permit, applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment or decree of any governmental agency or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties or businesses, except for such violations which would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company is not in violation of any term or provision of its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws.

 

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2.13.       Corporate Power; Licenses; Consents.

 

2.13.1.         Conduct of Business . The Company has all requisite corporate power and authority, and has all necessary authorizations, approvals, orders, licenses, certificates and permits of and from all governmental regulatory officials and bodies that it needs as of the date hereof to conduct its business for the purposes described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus. To the Company’s knowledge, the disclosures in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus concerning the effects of governmental regulation (whether U.S. federal, state, local or foreign) on this Offering and the Company’s business purpose as currently contemplated are correct in all material respects and do not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading. Since its formation, the Company has conducted no business and has incurred no liabilities other than in connection with and in furtherance of the Offering.

 

2.13.2.         Transactions Contemplated Herein . The Company has all corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the provisions and conditions hereof, and all consents, authorizations, approvals and orders required in connection therewith have been obtained. No consent, authorization or order of, and no filing with, any court, government agency or other body is required for the valid issuance, sale and delivery, of the Securities and the consummation of the transactions and agreements contemplated by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, Underwriters’ Purchase Option, the Trust Agreement, the Services Agreement, and the Warrants Purchase Agreement and as contemplated by the Prospectus, except with respect to applicable federal and state securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (the “FINRA” ).

 

2.14.       D&O Questionnaires . To the Company’s knowledge, all information contained in the questionnaires (the “ Questionnaires ”) completed by each of the Company’s officers and directors immediately prior to the Offering and provided to the Underwriters is true and correct and the Company has not become aware of any information which would cause the information disclosed in the Questionnaires completed by each officer or director, to become inaccurate and incorrect.

 

2.15.       Litigation; Governmental Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry, arbitration, investigation, litigation or governmental proceeding pending or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, threatened against, or involving the Company or, to the best of the Company’s knowledge, any officer and director which is required to be disclosed and has not been disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Questionnaires, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus.

 

2.16.       Good Standing . The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a corporation and is in good standing under the laws of its country of organization and is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of business requires such qualification, except where the failure to qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

2.17.       No Contemplation of a Business Combination . Prior to the date hereof, neither the Company, its officers and directors nor the Initial Shareholders had, and as of the Closing, the Company and such officers and directors and Initial Shareholders will not have had any substantive interactions or discussions with any target business regarding a possible Business Combination.

 

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2.18.       Transactions Affecting Disclosure to FINRA .

 

2.18.1.        Except as described in the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, there are no claims, payments, arrangements, agreements or understandings relating to the payment of a finder’s, consulting or origination fee by the Company or any officer and director with respect to the sale of the Securities hereunder or any other arrangements, agreements or understandings of the Company or, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer and director that may affect the Underwriters’ compensation, as determined by FINRA.

 

2.18.2.        The Company has not made any direct or indirect payments (in cash, securities or otherwise) to: (i) any person, as a finder’s fee, consulting fee or otherwise, in consideration of such person raising capital for the Company or introducing to the Company persons who raised or provided capital to the Company; (ii) to any FINRA member; or (iii) to any person or entity that has any direct or indirect affiliation or association with any FINRA member, within the twelve (12) months prior to the Effective Date, other than payments to the Representative.

 

2.18.3.        No officer, director, or beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s securities (whether debt or equity, registered or unregistered, regardless of the time acquired or the source from which derived) (any such individual or entity, a “ Company Affiliate ”) is a member, a person associated, or affiliated with a member of FINRA.

 

2.18.4.        No Company Affiliate is an owner of stock or other securities of any member of FINRA (other than securities purchased in the open market).

 

2.18.5.        No Company Affiliate has made a subordinated loan to any member of FINRA.

 

2.18.6.        No proceeds from the sale of the Public Securities (excluding underwriting compensation) or the Placement Securities will be paid to any FINRA member, or any persons associated or affiliated with a member of FINRA, except as specifically authorized herein.

 

2.18.7.        Except with respect to the Representative, the Company has not issued any warrants or other securities, or granted any options, directly or indirectly to anyone who is a potential underwriter in the Offering or a related person (as defined by FINRA rules) of such an underwriter within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement.

 

2.18.8.        No person to whom securities of the Company have been privately issued within the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement has any relationship or affiliation or association with any member of the FINRA.

 

2.18.9.        No FINRA member intending to participate in the Offering has a conflict of interest with the Company. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” exists when a member of FINRA and its associated persons, parent or affiliates in the aggregate beneficially own 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding subordinated debt or common equity, or 10% or more of the Company’s preferred equity. “Members participating in the Offering” include managing agents, syndicate group members and all dealers which are members of the FINRA.

 

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2.18.10.        Except with respect to the Representative in connection with the Offering, the Company has not entered into any agreement or arrangement (including, without limitation, any consulting agreement or any other type of agreement) during the 180-day period prior to the initial filing date of the Registration Statement, which arrangement or agreement provides for the receipt of any item of value and/or the transfer of any warrants, options, or other securities from the Company to a FINRA member, any person associated with a member (as defined by FINRA rules), any potential underwriters in the Offering and any related persons.

 

2.19.       Foreign Corrupt Practices Act . Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any of the Initial Shareholders or any other person acting on behalf of the Company has, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any money, gift or similar benefit (other than legal price concessions to customers in the ordinary course of business) to any customer, supplier, employee or agent of a customer or supplier, or official or employee of any governmental agency or instrumentality of any government (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or any political party or candidate for office (domestic or foreign) or other person who was, is, or may be in a position to help or hinder the business of the Company (or assist it in connection with any actual or proposed transaction) that: (i) might subject the Company to any damage or penalty in any civil, criminal or governmental litigation or proceeding; (ii) if not given in the past, might have had a material adverse effect on the assets, business or operations of the Company as reflected in any of the financial statements contained in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus; or (iii) if not continued in the future, might adversely affect the assets, business, operations or prospects of the Company. The Company’s internal accounting controls and procedures are sufficient to cause the Company to comply with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

2.20.       Patriot Act . Neither the Company nor, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer, director or Initial Shareholder has violated: (i) the Bank Secrecy Act, as amended; (ii) the Money Laundering Control Act of 1986, as amended; or (iii) the Uniting and Strengthening of America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA PATRIOT ACT) Act of 2001, and/or the rules and regulations promulgated under any such law, or any successor law.

 

2.21.       Officers’ Certificate . Any certificate signed by any duly authorized officer of the Company and delivered to the Representative or to the Representative’s counsel shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to the Underwriters as to the matters covered thereby.

 

2.22.       Warrant Agreement . The Company has entered into a warrant agreement with respect to the Warrants, the Placement Warrants, and the Underwriters’ Warrants with CST substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ Warrant Agreement ”).

 

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2.23.       Agreements With Initial Shareholders .

 

2.23.1.         Insider Letter . The Company has caused to be duly executed a legally binding and enforceable agreement (except: (i) as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally; (ii) as enforceability of any indemnification, contribution or non-compete provision may be limited under the federal and state securities laws; and (iii) that the remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to the equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought) annexed as exhibits to the Registration Statement (the “ Insider Letter ”), pursuant to which each of the officers, directors and Initial Shareholders of the Company agree to certain matters.

 

2.23.2.         Warrants Purchase Agreement . Certain of the Company’s officers and directors and their respective designees, have executed and delivered an agreement, annexed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement (the “ Warrants Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which such persons, among other things, have purchased an aggregate of up to 7,650,000 Placement Warrants (or 8,430,000 Placement Warrants if the Over-allotment Option is exercised in full) in the Private Placement. Pursuant to the Warrants Purchase Agreement all of the proceeds from the sale of the Placement Warrants will be deposited by the Company in the Trust Account in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement prior to the Closing.

 

2.24.       Investment Management Trust Agreement . The Company has entered into the Trust Agreement with respect to certain proceeds of the Offering and the Private Placement substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

 

2.25.       Covenants Not to Compete . To the Company’s knowledge, no officers or directors of the Company is subject to any non-competition agreement or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or prior employer which could materially affect his or her ability to be an Initial Shareholder, employee, officer or director of the Company.

 

2.26.       Investments . No more than 45% of the “value” (as defined in Section 2(a)(41) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Investment Company Act”)) of the Company’s total assets consist of, and no more than 45% of the Company’s net income after taxes is derived from, securities other than “Government Securities” (as defined in Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act).

 

2.27.       Subsidiaries . The Company does not own an interest in any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other business entity.

 

2.28.       Related Party Transactions . No relationship, direct or indirect, exists between or among any of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the one hand, and any director, officer, shareholder, customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate, on the other hand, which is required by the Act, the Exchange Act or the Regulations to be described in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus which is not so described and described as required. There are no outstanding loans, advances (except normal advances for business expenses in the ordinary course of business) or guarantees of indebtedness by the Company to or for the benefit of any of the officers or directors of the Company or any of their respective family members, except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus. The Company has not extended or maintained credit, arranged for the extension of credit, or renewed an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any director or officer of the Company.

 

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2.29.       No Influence . The Company has not offered, or caused the Underwriters to offer, the Firm Units to any person or entity with the intention of unlawfully influencing: (i) a customer or supplier of the Company or any Company Affiliate to alter the customer’s or supplier’s level or type of business with the Company or such affiliate; or (ii) a journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or any such affiliate.

 

2.30.       Trading of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market. As of the Effective Date and the Closing Date, the Public Securities will have been authorized for listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market and no proceedings have been instituted or threatened which would effect, and no event or circumstance has occurred as of the Effective Date which is reasonably likely to effect, the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

2.31.       Definition of “Knowledge” . As used in herein, the term “ knowledge of the Company ” (or similar language) shall mean the knowledge of the officers and directors of the Company who are named in the Prospectus, with the assumption that such officers and directors shall have made reasonable and diligent inquiry of the matters presented.

 

3.             Covenants of the Company . The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

 

3.1.         Amendments to Registration Statement . The Company will deliver to the Representative, prior to filing, any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus proposed to be filed after the Effective Date and not file any such amendment or supplement to which the Representative shall reasonably object in writing.

 

3.2.         Federal Securities Laws .

 

3.2.1.         Compliance . During the time when a Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act, the Company will use all reasonable efforts to comply with all requirements imposed upon it by the Act, the Regulations and the Exchange Act and by the regulations under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in force, so far as necessary to permit the continuance of sales of or dealings in the Public Securities in accordance with the provisions hereof and the Prospectus. If at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Public Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any event shall have occurred as a result of which, in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the Underwriters, the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits 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, or if it is necessary during such period to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with the Act, the Company will notify the Representative promptly and prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3.1 hereof, an appropriate amendment to the Registration Statement or amendment or supplement to the Prospectus (at the expense of the Company) so as to correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

 

3.2.2.         Filing of Final Prospectus . The Company will file the Prospectus (in form and substance satisfactory to the Representative) with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Rule 424 of the Regulations.

 

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3.2.3.         Exchange Act Registration . For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company will use its best efforts to maintain the registration of the Units, Common Stock and Warrants under the provisions of the Exchange Act. The Company will not deregister the Units prior to the Business Combination under the Exchange Act without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

3.2.4.         Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance . As soon as it is legally required to do so, the Company shall take all actions necessary to obtain and thereafter maintain material compliance with each applicable provision of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and related or similar rules and regulations promulgated by any other governmental or self-regulatory entity or agency with jurisdiction over the Company.

 

3.3.         Blue Sky Filing . Unless the Public Securities are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or another national securities exchange, the Company at its expense will endeavor in good faith, in cooperation with the Representative, at or prior to the time the Registration Statement becomes effective, to qualify the Public Securities for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representative may reasonably designate, provided that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Company would be subject to service of general process or to taxation as a foreign corporation doing business in such jurisdiction. In each jurisdiction where such qualification shall be effected, the Company will, unless the Representative agrees that such action is not at the time necessary or advisable, use all reasonable efforts to file and make such statements or reports at such times as are or may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction.

 

3.4.         Delivery to Underwriters of Prospectuses . The Company will deliver to each of the several Underwriters, without charge, from time to time during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act such number of copies of each Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus and all amendments and supplements to such documents as such Underwriters may reasonably request and, as soon as the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement thereto becomes effective, deliver to the Representative two original executed Registration Statements, including exhibits, and all post-effective amendments thereto and copies of all exhibits filed therewith or incorporated therein by reference and all original executed consents of certified experts.

 

3.5.         Effectiveness and Events Requiring Notice to the Representative . The Company will use its best efforts to cause the Registration Statement to remain effective and will notify the Representative immediately and confirm the notice in writing: (i) of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto; (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any post-effective amendment thereto or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iii) of the issuance by any state securities commission of any proceedings for the suspension of the qualification of the Public Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or of the initiation, or the threatening, of any proceeding for that purpose; (iv) of the mailing and delivery to the Commission for filing of any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus; (v) of the receipt of any comments or request for any additional information from the Commission; and (vi) of the happening of any event during the period described in Section 3.4 hereof that, in the judgment of the Company, makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus untrue or that requires the making of any changes in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein (with respect to the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading. If the Commission or any state securities commission shall enter a stop order or suspend such qualification at any time, the Company will make every reasonable effort to obtain promptly the lifting of such order.

 

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3.6.         Review of Financial Statements . Until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until such earlier date upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company, at its expense, shall cause its regularly engaged independent certified public accountants to review (but not audit) the Company’s financial statements for each of the first three fiscal quarters prior to the announcement or filing of quarterly financial information, if any.

 

3.7.         Affiliated Transactions .

 

3.7.1.         Business Combinations . The Company will not consummate a Business Combination with any entity which is affiliated with any sponsor, officer and director of the Company unless the Company obtains an opinion from an independent investment banking firm regulated by FINRA or qualified accounting firm stating the Business Combination is fair to the Company’s shareholders from a financial perspective.

 

3.7.2.         Administrative Services . The Company has entered into an administrative services agreement (the “ Services Agreement ”) with Nautilus Energy Management Corp. (the “ Affiliate ”) in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement pursuant to which the Affiliate will make available to the Company general and administrative services including office space, utilities, receptionist and secretarial support for the Company’s use for $10,000 per month.

 

3.7.3.         Compensation . The Company shall not pay any of its affiliates any fees or compensation from the Company, for services rendered to the Company prior to, or in connection with, this Offering or the consummation of a Business Combination.

 

3.8.         Secondary Market Trading . In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange, (i) the Company will apply to be included in Mergent, Inc. Manual for a period of five (5) years from the consummation of a Business Combination, and (ii) the Company shall take such steps as may be necessary to obtain a secondary market trading exemption for the Company’s securities in the State of California. The Company shall also take such other action as may be reasonably requested by the Representative to obtain a secondary market trading exemption in such other states as may be requested by the Representative.

 

3.9.         Financial Public Relations Firm . Promptly after the execution of a definitive agreement for a Business Combination, the Company shall retain a financial public relations firm reasonably acceptable to the Representative for a term to be agreed upon by the Company and the Representative.

 

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3.10.       Reports to the Representative .

 

3.10.1.         Periodic Reports, Etc. For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company will furnish to the Representative and its counsel copies of such financial statements and other periodic and special reports as the Company from time to time furnishes generally to holders of any class of its securities, and promptly furnish to the Representative: (i) a copy of each periodic report the Company shall be required to file with the Commission; (ii) a copy of every press release and every news item and article with respect to the Company or its affairs which was released by the Company; (iii) a copy of each Form 8-K or Schedules 13D, 13G, 14D-1 or 13E-4 received or prepared by the Company; (iv) five copies of each Registration Statement; and (v) such additional documents and information with respect to the Company and the affairs of any future subsidiaries of the Company as the Representative may from time to time reasonably request; provided that the Representative shall sign, if requested by the Company, a Regulation FD compliant confidentiality agreement which is reasonably acceptable to the Representative and its counsel in connection with the Representative’s receipt of such information. Documents filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System ( “EDGAR” ) shall be deemed to have been delivered to the Representative pursuant to this section.

 

3.10.2.         Transfer Sheets . For a period of five (5) years following the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is dissolved, the Company shall retain a transfer and warrant agent acceptable to the Representative (the “ Transfer Agent ”). In the event the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange, the Company will furnish to the Underwriters at the Company’s sole cost and expense such transfer sheets of the Company’s securities as the Representative may request, including the daily and monthly consolidated transfer sheets of the Transfer Agent and DTC. CST is an acceptable Transfer Agent to the Representative.

 

3.10.3.         Trading Reports . If the Public Securities are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board (or any successor trading market) or a market operated by the OTC Market Group Inc. (or similar publisher of quotations), then during such time the Company shall provide to the Representative, at its expense, such reports published by the OTC Bulletin Board or the OTC Market Group Inc. relating to price trading of the Public Securities, as the Representative shall reasonably request. In addition to the requirements of the preceding sentence, if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange for a period of two (2) years from the Closing Date, the Company, at its expense, shall provide Maxim a subscription to the Company’s weekly Depository Transfer Company Security Position Reports.

 

3.11.       Disqualification of Form S-1 . For a period of seven (7) years from the date hereof, the Company will not take any action or actions which may prevent or disqualify the Company’s use of Form S-1 (or other appropriate form) for the registration of the Common Stock underlying the Warrants, the Representative’s Shares and the Underwriters’ Purchase Option and the securities underlying the Underwriters’ Purchase Option under the Act.

 

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3.12.       Payment of Expenses .

 

3.12.1.         General Expenses Related to the Offering . The Company hereby agrees to pay on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the extent not paid at Closing Date, all expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing (including the payment of postage with respect to such mailing) of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the final Prospectus and the printing and mailing of this Agreement and related documents, including the cost of all copies thereof and any amendments thereof or supplements thereto supplied to the Underwriters in quantities as may be required by the Underwriters; (ii) the printing, engraving, issuance and delivery of the Units, Common Stock and the Warrants included in the Units, the Underwriters’ Shares and the Underwriters’ Purchase Option, including any transfer or other taxes payable thereon; (iii) if the Public Securities are not listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange, the qualification of the Public Securities under state or foreign securities or Blue Sky laws, including the costs of printing and mailing the “Preliminary Blue Sky Memorandum,” and all amendments and supplements thereto, fees and disbursements for counsel of Maxim’s choice retained for such purpose; (iv) filing fees incurred in registering the Offering with the FINRA (including all Public Offering System filing fees); (v) fees and disbursements of the transfer and warrant agent; (vi) the Company’s expenses associated with “due diligence” meetings arranged by the Representative (none of which will be received or paid on behalf of an underwriter and related person); (vii) the preparation, binding and delivery of bound volumes in form and style reasonably satisfactory to Maxim and 12 transaction lucite cubes or similar commemorative items in a style as reasonably requested by Maxim; (viii) all costs and expenses associated with “road show” marketing and “due diligence” trips for the Company’s management to meet with prospective investors, including without limitation, all travel, food and lodging expenses associated with such trips; and (ix) all other reasonable costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section 3.12.1. The Representative may deduct from the net proceeds of the Offering payable to the Company on the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, if any, the expenses set forth above to be paid by the Company to the Representative and others, as agreed to by the Company in writing. Upon Closing, the Company shall reimburse the Representative in full for its out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the Representative, including, without limitation, its legal fees (less any amounts previously paid), up to an aggregate amount of $100,000.

 

3.12.2.         Fee on Termination of Offering . Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, upon termination of the Offering the Company shall: (A) reimburse the Representative for, or otherwise pay and bear, the expenses and fees to be paid and borne by the Company as provided for in Paragraph 3.12.1 above, as applicable, and (B) reimburse the Representative for the full amount of their accountable out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred to such date (which shall include, but shall not be limited to, all fees and disbursements of the Representative’s counsel, travel, lodging and other “road show” expenses, mailing, printing and reproduction expenses, and any expenses incurred by the Representative in conducting their due diligence), up to an aggregate amount of $50,000, less the amounts previously paid and any amounts previously paid to the Representative in reimbursement for such expenses. Additionally, upon any such termination, the Representative shall return to the Company any portion of the amounts advanced towards the Underwriters’ expenses (of which $15,000 has previously been paid) in excess of the out-of-pocket accountable expenses actually incurred by the Representative, including, without limitation, its legal fees.

 

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3.13.       Application of Net Proceeds . The Company will apply the net proceeds from the Offering received by it in a manner consistent with the application described under the caption “Use of Proceeds” in the Prospectus.

 

3.14.       Delivery of Earnings Statements to Security Holders . The Company will make generally available to its security holders as soon as practicable, but not later than the first day of the fifteenth (15th) full calendar month following the Effective Date, an earnings statement (which need not be certified by independent public or independent certified public accountants unless required by the Act or the Regulations, but which shall satisfy the provisions of Rule 158(a) under Section 11(a) of the Act) covering a period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months beginning after the Effective Date.

 

3.15.       Notice to FINRA .

 

3.15.1.         Business Combination . In the event that, within 90 days of the Offering, any person or entity (regardless of any FINRA affiliation or association) is engaged to assist the Company in its search for a merger candidate or to provide any other merger and acquisition services, the Company will provide the following to the FINRA and the Representative prior to the consummation of the Business Combination: (i) complete details of all services and copies of agreements governing such services; and (ii) justification as to why the person or entity providing the merger and acquisition services should not be considered an “underwriter and related person” with respect to the Company’s initial public offering, as such term is defined in Rule 5110 of FINRA’s Rules. The Company also agrees that proper disclosure of such arrangement or potential arrangement will be made in any proxy or tender offer statement which the Company files in connection with the Business Combination.

 

3.15.2.         Broker/Dealer . In the event the Company intends to register as a broker/dealer, merge with or acquire a registered broker/dealer, or otherwise become a member of FINRA, it shall promptly notify FINRA.

 

3.16.       Stabilization . Neither the Company, nor, to its knowledge, any of its employees, directors or shareholders (without the consent of the Representative) has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that has constituted or that might reasonably be expected to cause or result in, under the Exchange Act, or otherwise, stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company to facilitate the sale or resale of the Units.

 

3.17.       Internal Controls . The Company will maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that: (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary in order to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

 

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3.18.       Accountants . For a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until such earlier time upon which the Company is required to be liquidated, the Company shall retain Withum or other independent public accountants reasonably acceptable to the Representative.

 

3.19.       Form 8-K . The Company shall, on the date hereof, retain its independent public accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company as of the Closing Date (the “ Audited Financial Statements ”) reflecting the receipt by the Company of the proceeds of the initial public offering and the Private Placement, as well as the proceeds from the exercise of the Over-Allotment if such exercise has occurred on the date of the Prospectus. Within four (4) Business Days of the Closing Date, the Company will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission, which Report shall contain the Company’s Audited Financial Statements.

 

3.20.       FINRA . The Company shall advise FINRA if it is aware that any 5% or greater shareholder of the Company becomes an affiliate or associated person of a FINRA member participating in the distribution of the Company’s Public Securities.

 

3.21.       Corporate Proceedings . All corporate proceedings and other legal matters necessary to carry out the provisions of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall have been done to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel for the Underwriters.

 

3.22.       Investment Company . The Company shall cause the proceeds of the Offering to be held in the Trust Account to be invested only in “government securities” with specific maturity dates or in money market funds meeting certain conditions under Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act as set forth in the Trust Agreement and disclosed in the Prospectus. The Company will otherwise conduct its business in a manner so that it will not become subject to the Investment Company Act. Furthermore, once the Company consummates a Business Combination, it will be engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading securities.

 

3.23.       Business Combination Announcement . Within four (4) Business Days following the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the Company shall cause an announcement (“ Business Combination Announcement” ) to be issued by a press release service announcing the consummation of the Business Combination and indicating that the Representative was one of the co-managing underwriters in the Offering and also indicating the name and location of any other financial advisors engaged by the Company as its merger and acquisitions advisor. The Company shall supply the Representative with a draft of the Business Combination Announcement and provide the Representative with a reasonable advance opportunity to comment thereon. The Company will not issue the Business Combination Announcement without the final approval of the Representative, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

3.24.       [Intentionally Omitted].

 

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3.25.       Press Releases . The Company agrees that it will not issue press releases or engage in any other publicity, without Maxim’s prior written consent (not to be unreasonably withheld), for a period of forty-five (45) days after the Closing Date.

 

3.26.       Electronic Prospectus . The Company shall cause to be prepared and delivered to the Representative, at its expense, within one (1) Business Day from the Effective Date, an Electronic Prospectus to be used by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering. As used herein, the term “ Electronic Prospectus ” means a form of prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, that meets each of the following conditions: (i) it shall be encoded in an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that may be transmitted electronically by the other Underwriters to offerees and purchasers of the Units for at least the period during which a Prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Securities Act; (ii) it shall disclose the same information as the paper prospectus and prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent that graphic and image material cannot be disseminated electronically, in which case such graphic and image material shall be replaced in the electronic prospectus with a fair and accurate narrative description or tabular representation of such material, as appropriate; and (iii) it shall be in or convertible into a paper format or an electronic format, satisfactory to the Representative, that will allow recipients thereof to store and have continuously ready access to the prospectus at any future time, without charge to such recipients (other than any fee charged for subscription to the Internet as a whole and for on-line time). The Company hereby confirms that it has included or will include in the Prospectus filed pursuant to EDGAR or otherwise with the Commission and in the Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective an undertaking that, upon receipt of a request by an investor or his or her representative within the period when a prospectus relating to the Units is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, the Company shall transmit or cause to be transmitted promptly, without charge, a paper copy of the Prospectus.

 

3.27.       Reservation of Shares . The Company will reserve and keep available that maximum number of its authorized but unissued securities which are issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and the Underwriters’ Purchase Option, Underwriters’ Warrants and the Placement Warrants outstanding from time to time.

 

3.28.       Private Placement Proceeds . Immediately upon establishment of the Trust Account and prior to the Closing, the Company shall deposit all of the proceeds from the Private Placement in the Trust Account and shall provide the Representative with evidence of the same.

 

3.29.       No Amendment to Charter .

 

(i)        The Company covenants and agrees it will not seek to amend or modify Article IX of its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation without the prior approval of its Board of Directors and the affirmative vote of at least 65% of the voting power of the shares of Common Stock.

 

(ii)        The Company acknowledges that the purchasers of the Units in this Offering shall be deemed to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 3.29.

 

(iii)        The Representative and the Company specifically agree that this Section 3.29 shall not be modified or amended in any way without the approval of at least 65% of the voting power of the shares of Common Stock that were issued in the Offering.

 

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3.30.       Financial Printer . The Company shall retain a financial printer, reasonably acceptable to the Representative, for the purpose of facilitating the Company’s EDGAR filings and the printing of the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus.

 

3.31.       Listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market . The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Public Securities on the Nasdaq Capital Market or such other national securities exchange until the earlier of five (5) years from the Effective Date or until the Public Securities are no longer registered under the Exchange Act.

 

3.32.       Payment of Deferred Underwriting Commission on Business Combination . Upon the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company agrees that it will cause the Trustee to pay the Deferred Underwriting Commission directly from the Trust Account to Maxim, in accordance with Section 1.3.

 

3.33.       Right of First Refusal . Provided that the Firm Shares are sold in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Representative shall have the irrevocable right of first refusal (the “ Right of First Refusal ”) to act as lead book running manager for each and every future public and private equity and equity-linked offering and every future debt offering for a period of twelve months following the Business Combination (each, a “ Subject Transaction ”). The Company shall notify the Representative of its intention to pursue a Subject Transaction, including the material terms thereof, by providing written notice thereof by registered mail or overnight courier service addressed to the Representative. If the Representative fails to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction within ten (10) Business Days after the mailing of such written notice, then the Representative shall have no further claim or right with respect to the Subject Transaction. The Representative may elect, in its sole and absolute discretion, not to exercise its Right of First Refusal with respect to any Subject Transaction; provided that any such election by the Representative shall not adversely affect the Representative’s Right of First Refusal with respect to any other Subject Transaction; and provided, further that, pursuant to FINRA Rule 5110(f)(2)(F)(ii), the Representative shall not have more than one opportunity to waive or terminate the Right of First Refusal in consideration of any payment or fee. The terms and conditions of any such engagements shall be set forth in separate agreements and may be subject to, among other things, satisfactory completion of due diligence by the Representative, market conditions, the absence of a material adverse change to the Company’s business, financial condition and prospects, approval of the Representative’s internal committee and any other conditions that the Representative may deem appropriate for transactions of such nature. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Representative shall be entitled to receive as its compensation at least 50% of the compensation payable to the underwriting or placement agent group when serving as co-manager and at least 40% of the compensation payable to the underwriting placement agent group when serving as co-manager with respect to a proposed financing in which there are three co-managing or lead underwriters or co- placement agents.

 

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4.            Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligations of the several Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Units, as provided herein, shall be subject to the continuing accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company as of the date hereof and as of each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, to the accuracy of the statements of officers of the Company made pursuant to the provisions hereof and to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following conditions:

 

4.1.         Regulatory Matters .

 

4.1.1.         Effectiveness of Registration Statement . The Registration Statement shall have become effective not later than 5:00 P.M., New York time, on the date of this Agreement or such later date and time as shall be consented to in writing by the Representative, and, at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been issued and no proceedings for the purpose shall have been instituted or shall be pending or contemplated by the Commission and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of Loeb & Loeb LLP (“ Loeb ”).

 

4.1.2.         FINRA Clearance . By the Effective Date, the Representative shall have received clearance from the FINRA as to the amount of compensation allowable or payable to the Underwriters as described in the Registration Statement.

 

4.1.3.         No Commission Stop Order . At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, the Commission has not issued any order or threatened to issue any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any part thereof, and has not instituted or threatened to institute any proceedings with respect to such an order.

 

4.1.4.         No Blue Sky Stop Orders . No order suspending the sale of the Units in any jurisdiction designated by the Representative pursuant to Section 3.3 hereof, if any, shall have been issued on either the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been instituted or shall be contemplated.

 

4.1.5.         The Nasdaq Capital Market . By the Effective Date, the Securities shall have been approved for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

4.2.         Company Counsel Matters .

 

4.2.1.         Closing Date Opinion of Counsel . On the Closing Date, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of each of Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP (“ EGS ”), counsel to the Company, and Reeder & Simpson, P.C. (“ Reeder ”), Marshall Islands counsel to the Company, dated the Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and the other Underwriters and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative.

 

The opinion of EGS and Reeder shall further include a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and representatives of the Underwriters at which the contents of the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and related matters were discussed and although such counsel is not passing upon and does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus (except as otherwise set forth in this opinion), no facts have come to the attention of such counsel which lead them to believe that either the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the date of such opinion contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (it being understood that such counsel need express no opinion with respect to the financial statements and related notes and schedules and other financial and statistical data included in the Registration Statement, final Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus or matters relating to the sale of securities in any jurisdiction outside the U.S.). The opinion of counsel shall state that such counsel is not opining as to the Placement Securities with respect to any rights to rescind or the effect any exercise of such rights will have on any other securities of the Company or on the Offering.

 

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4.2.2.         Option Closing Date Opinion of Counsel . On each Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received the favorable opinion of EGS and Reeder, dated each Option Closing Date, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel to the Representative, confirming as of each Option Closing Date, the statements made by EGS and Reeder, as applicable, in its opinion delivered on the Closing Date.

 

4.2.3.         Reliance . In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely: (i) with respect to the opinion of EGS, as to matters involving the application of laws other than the laws of the United States and jurisdictions in which they are admitted, to the extent EGS deems proper and to the extent specified in such opinion, if at all, upon an opinion or opinions (in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representative) of other counsel reasonably acceptable to the Representative, familiar with the applicable laws; and (ii) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on certificates or other written statements of officers of the Company and officers of departments of various jurisdiction having custody of documents respecting the corporate existence or good standing of the Company, provided that copies of any such statements or certificates shall be delivered to the Underwriters’ counsel if requested. The opinion of EGS and Reeder and any opinion relied upon by such counsel for the Company shall include a statement to the effect that it may be relied upon by counsel for the Underwriters in its opinion delivered to the Underwriters.

 

4.3.         Cold Comfort Letter . At the time this Agreement is executed, and at each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a letter, addressed to the Representative and in form and substance satisfactory in all respects (including the nature of the changes or decreases, if any, referred to in clause (iii) below) to the Representative from Withum dated, respectively, as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any:

 

(i)        Confirming that they are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Act and the applicable Regulations;

 

(ii)        Stating that in their opinion the financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Regulations thereunder;

 

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(iii)        Stating that, on the basis of limited procedures which included a reading of the latest available minutes of the shareholders and board of directors and the various committees of the board of directors, consultations with officers and other employees of the Company responsible for financial and accounting matters and other specified procedures and inquiries, nothing has come to their attention which would lead them to believe that: (a) at a date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or, if there was any decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease; and (c) during the period from May 31, 2016 (balance sheet date) to a specified date not later than five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, Closing Date or Option Closing Date, as the case may be, there was any decrease in net earnings or net earnings per share of Common Stock, in each case as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year and as compared with the corresponding period in the preceding year, other than as set forth in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, or, if there was any such decrease, setting forth the amount of such decrease;

 

(iv)        Stating they have compared specific dollar amounts, numbers of shares, percentages of earnings, statements and other financial information pertaining to the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus in each case to the extent that such amounts, numbers, percentages, statements and information may be derived from the general accounting records, including work sheets, of the Company and excluding any questions requiring an interpretation by legal counsel, with the results obtained from the application of specified readings, inquiries and other appropriate procedures (which procedures do not constitute an examination in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB) set forth in the letter and found them to be in agreement; and

 

(v)        Statements as to such other matters incident to the transaction contemplated hereby as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

4.4.         Officers’ Certificates .

 

4.4.1.         Officers’ Certificate . At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Chairman of the Board or the President and the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, to the effect that the Company has performed all covenants and complied with all conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to and as of the Closing Date, or the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, and that the conditions set forth in Section 4.5 hereof have been satisfied as of such date and that, as of Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, as the case may be, the representations and warranties of the Company set forth in Section 2 hereof are true and correct. In addition, the Representative will have received such other and further certificates of officers of the Company as the Representative may reasonably request.

 

4.4.2.         Secretary’s Certificate . At each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any, the Representative shall have received a certificate of the Company signed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, dated the Closing Date or the Option Date, as the case may be, respectively, certifying: (i) that the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company are true and complete, have not been modified and are in full force and effect; (ii) that the board resolutions relating to the public offering contemplated by this Agreement are in full force and effect and have not been modified; (iii) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Commission; (iv) all correspondence between the Company or its counsel and the Nasdaq Stock Market; and (v) as to the incumbency of the officers of the Company. The documents referred to in such certificate shall be attached to such certificate.

 

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4.5.         No Material Changes . Prior to and on each of the Closing Date and the Option Closing Date, if any: (i) there shall have been no material adverse change or development that is likely to result in a material adverse change in the condition or prospects or the business activities, financial or otherwise, of the Company from the latest dates as of which such condition is set forth in the Registration Statement and Prospectus; (ii) no action suit or proceeding, at law or in equity, shall have been pending or threatened against the Company, its officers, or directors before or by any court or federal or state commission, board or other administrative agency wherein an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding may materially adversely affect the business, operations, prospects or financial condition or income of the Company, except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and Prospectus; (iii) no stop order shall have been issued under the Act and no proceedings therefor shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iv) the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto shall contain all material statements which are required to be stated therein in accordance with the Act and the Regulations and shall conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Regulations, and neither the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus nor the Prospectus nor any amendment or supplement thereto shall contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading.

 

4.6.         Delivery of Agreements .

 

4.6.1.         Effective Date Deliveries . On the Effective Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Representative executed copies of the Trust Agreement, the Warrant Agreement, the Services Agreement, all of the Insider Letters and the Warrants Purchase Agreement.

 

4.6.2.         Closing Date Deliveries . On the Closing Date, the Company shall have delivered to the Underwriters and their designees the Underwriters’ Shares and to the Underwriters and their designees executed copies of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option.

 

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5.             Indemnification .

 

5.1.         Indemnification of Underwriters .

 

5.1.1.         General . Subject to the conditions set forth below, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each of the Underwriters and each dealer selected by the Representative that participates in the offer and sale of the Units (each a “ Selected Dealer ”) and each of their respective directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any such Underwriter (“ Controlling Person ”) within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including but not limited to any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, whether arising out of any action between any of the Underwriters and the Company or between any of the Underwriters and any third party or otherwise) to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or any other federal, state or local statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or at common law or otherwise or under the laws, rules and regulation of foreign countries, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in: (i) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus (as from time to time each may be amended and supplemented); (ii) in any post-effective amendment or amendments or any new registration statement and prospectus in which is included the Underwriters’ Shares and/or securities of the Company issued or issuable upon exercise of the Underwriters’ Purchase Option; or (iii) any application or other document or written communication (in this Section 5 collectively called “ Application ”) executed by the Company or based upon written information furnished by the Company in any jurisdiction in order to qualify the Units under the securities laws thereof or filed with the Commission, any state securities commission or agency, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any securities exchange; or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company with respect to an Underwriter by or on behalf of such Underwriter expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereof. With respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in the Preliminary Prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter to the extent that any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense of such Underwriter results from the fact that a copy of the Prospectus was not given or sent to the person asserting any such loss, liability, claim or damage at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of the Securities to such person as required by the Act and the Regulations, and if the untrue statement or omission has been corrected in the Prospectus, unless such failure to deliver the Prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the Company with its obligations under Section 3.4 hereof. The Company agrees promptly to notify the Representative of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Company or any of its officers, directors or Controlling Persons in connection with the issue and sale of the Securities or in connection with the Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus.

 

5.1.2.         Procedure . If any action is brought against an Underwriter or Controlling Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to Section 5.1.1, such Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the institution of such action and the Company shall assume the defense of such action, including the employment and fees of counsel (subject to the reasonable approval of such Underwriter) and payment of actual expenses. Such Underwriter or Controlling Person shall have the right to employ its or their own counsel in any such case, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Underwriter or such Controlling Person unless: (i) the employment of such counsel at the expense of the Company shall have been authorized in writing by the Company in connection with the defense of such action within reasonable time under the circumstances; (ii) the Company shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such action; or (iii) such indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded that there may be defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional to those available to the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or parties), in any of which events the reasonable fees and expenses of not more than one additional firm of attorneys selected by the Underwriter and/or Controlling Person shall be borne by the Company. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Underwriter or Controlling Person shall assume the defense of such action as provided above, the Company shall have the right to approve the terms of any settlement of such action which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

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5.2.         Indemnification of the Company . Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers and employees and agents who control the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the foregoing indemnity from the Company to the several Underwriters, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Application, in reliance upon, and in strict conformity with, written information furnished to the Company with respect to such Underwriter by or on behalf of the Underwriter expressly for use in such Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or in any such Application, which furnished written information, it is expressly agreed, consists solely of the information described in the last sentence of Section 2.3.1. In case any action shall be brought against the Company or any other person so indemnified based on any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto or any Application, and in respect of which indemnity may be sought against any Underwriter, such Underwriter shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and each other person so indemnified shall have the rights and duties given to the several Underwriters by the provisions of Section 5.1.2.

 

5.3.         Contribution .

 

5.3.1.         Contribution Rights . In order to provide for just and equitable contribution under the Act in any case in which: (i) any person entitled to indemnification under this Section 5 makes claim for indemnification pursuant hereto but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such indemnification may not be enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact that this Section 5 provides for indemnification in such case; or (ii) contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise may be required on the part of any such person in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section 5, then, and in each such case, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses of the nature contemplated by said indemnity agreement incurred by the Company and the Underwriters, as incurred, in such proportions that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount appearing on the cover page of the Prospectus bears to the initial offering price appearing thereon and the Company is responsible for the balance; provided , that, no person guilty of a fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.3.1, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Public Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay in respect of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses. For purposes of this Section, each director, officer and employee of an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, and each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter or the Company, as applicable, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Underwriters or the Company, as applicable.

 

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5.3.2.         Contribution Procedure . Within fifteen (15) days after receipt by any party to this Agreement (or its representative) of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, such party will, if a claim for contribution in respect thereof is to be made against another party (“ Contributing Party ”), notify the Contributing Party of the commencement thereof, but the omission to so notify the Contributing Party will not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any other party other than for contribution hereunder. In case any such action, suit or proceeding is brought against any party, and such party notifies a Contributing Party or its representative of the commencement thereof within the aforesaid fifteen (15) days, the Contributing Party will be entitled to participate therein with the notifying party and any other Contributing Party similarly notified. Any such Contributing Party shall not be liable to any party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution on account of any settlement of any claim, action or proceeding effected by such party seeking contribution without the written consent of such Contributing Party. The contribution provisions contained in this Section are intended to supersede, to the extent permitted by law, any right to contribution under the Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise available. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 5.3 are several and not joint.

 

6.             Default by an Underwriter .

 

6.1.         Default Not Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units . If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligations to purchase the Firm Units or the Option Units, if the over-allotment option is exercised, hereunder, and if the number of the Firm Units or Option Units with respect to which such default relates does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the number of Firm Units or Option Units that all Underwriters have agreed to purchase hereunder, then such Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates shall be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder.

 

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6.2.         Default Exceeding 10% of Firm Units or Option Units . In the event that the default addressed in Section 6.1 above relates to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative may in its discretion arrange for itself or for another party or parties to purchase such Firm Units or Option Units to which such default relates on the terms contained herein. If, within one (1) Business Day after such default relating to more than 10% of the Firm Units or Option Units, the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of such Firm Units or Option Units, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of one (1) Business Day within which to procure another party or parties satisfactory to the Company and the Representative to purchase said Firm Units or Option Units on such terms. In the event the Representative does not arrange for the purchase of the Firm Units or Option Units to which a default relates as provided in this Section 6, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company without liability on the part of the Company (except as provided in Sections 3.12 and 5 hereof) or the several Underwriters (except as provided in Section 5 hereof); provided , however , that if such default occurs with respect to the Option Units, this Agreement will not terminate as to the Firm Units; and provided further that nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of its liability, if any, to the other several Underwriters and to the Company for damages occasioned by its default hereunder.

 

6.3.         Postponement of Closing Date . In the event the Firm Units or Option Units to which the default relates are to be purchased by the non-defaulting Underwriters, or are to be purchased by another party or parties as aforesaid, the Representative or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date or Option Closing Date for a reasonable period, but not in any event exceeding five (5) Business Days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, or in any other documents and arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendment to, or to supplement, the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and/or the Prospectus, as the case may be, that in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any party substituted under this Section 6 with like effect as if it had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Securities.

 

7.             Additional Covenants .

 

7.1.         Additional Shares or Options . The Company hereby agrees that until the Company consummates a Business Combination, it shall not issue any shares of Common Stock or any options or other securities convertible into Common Stock, or any shares of Preferred Stock which participate in any manner in the Trust Account or which vote as a class with the Common Stock on a Business Combination.

 

7.2.         Trust Account Waiver Acknowledgments . The Company hereby agrees that it will not commence its due diligence investigation of any operating business or businesses which the Company seeks to acquire (each, a “ Target Business ”) unless and until such Target Business acknowledges in writing, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) it has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $66,300,000 for the benefit of the Public Shareholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate such Target Business for purposes of consummating a Business Combination with it, such Target Business agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies of the Trust Account (“ Claim ”) and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Company further agrees that it will use its best efforts, prior to obtaining the services of any vendor, to obtain a written acknowledgment from such vendor, whether through a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other similar document (and subsequently acknowledges the same in any definitive document replacing any of the foregoing), that: (i) such vendor has read the Prospectus and understands that the Company has established the Trust Account, initially in an amount of $66,300,000 for the benefit of the Public Shareholders, and that (ii) for and in consideration of the Company agreeing to engage the services of the vendor, such vendor agrees that it does not have any Claim and waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The foregoing letters shall substantially be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and B , respectively. Furthermore, each officer and director of the Company shall execute a waiver letter in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C .

 

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7.3.         Insider Letters . The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action which would cause a material breach of any of the Insider Letters executed between each Initial Shareholder or the Warrants Purchase Agreement and will not allow any amendments to, or waivers of, such Insider Letters or the Warrants Purchase Agreement without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.4.         Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation . The Company shall not take any action or omit to take any action that would cause the Company to be in material breach or violation of its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation. Except as provided in Section 3.29, prior to the consummation of a Business Combination, the Company will not amend its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, without the prior written consent of the Representative.

 

7.5.         Tender Offer Documents, Proxy Materials and Other Information . The Company shall provide counsel to the Representative with copies of all tender offer documents or proxy information and all related material filed with the Commission in connection with a Business Combination concurrently with such filing with the Commission. In addition, the Company shall furnish any other state in which its initial public offering was registered, such information as may be requested by such state.

 

7.6.         Acquisition/Liquidation Procedure . The Company agrees that it will comply with Article IX of its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination or the failure to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months from the Effective Date (subject to extension as described in the Prospectus).

 

7.7.         Rule 419 . The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to prevent the Company from becoming subject to Rule 419 under the Act prior to the consummation of any Business Combination, including, but not limited to, using its best efforts to prevent any of the Company’s outstanding securities from being deemed to be a “penny stock” as defined in Rule 3a-51-1 under the Exchange Act during such period.

 

7.8.         Presentation of Potential Target Businesses . The Company shall cause each of its officers and directors to agree that, in order to minimize potential conflicts of interest which may arise from multiple affiliations, the officers and directors will present to the Company for its consideration, prior to presentation to any other person or company, any suitable opportunity to acquire an operating business, until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of a Business Combination, the liquidation of the Company, subject to any pre-existing fiduciary obligations the officers and directors might have.

 

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8.             Representations and Agreements to Survive Delivery . Except as the context otherwise requires, all representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be deemed to be representations, warranties and agreements at the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, and such representations, warranties and agreements of the Underwriters and Company, including the indemnity agreements contained in Section 5 hereof, shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter, the Company or any Controlling Person, and shall survive termination of this Agreement or the issuance and delivery of the Units to the several Underwriters until the earlier of the expiration of any applicable statute of limitations and the seventh anniversary of the later of the Closing Date or the Option Closing Date, if any, at which time the representations, warranties and agreements shall terminate and be of no further force and effect.

 

9.             Effective Date of This Agreement and Termination Thereof .

 

9.1.         Effective Date . This Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date at the time the Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission.

 

9.2.         Termination . The Representative shall have the right to terminate this Agreement at any time prior to any Closing Date: (i) if any domestic or international event or act or occurrence has materially disrupted, or in the Representative’s opinion will in the immediate future materially disrupt, general securities markets in the United States; or (ii) if trading on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or on the OTC Bulletin Board (or successor trading market) shall have been suspended, or minimum or maximum prices for trading shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices for securities shall have been required on the OTC Bulletin Board or by order of the Commission or any other government authority having jurisdiction; or (iii) if the United States shall have become involved in a war or an initiation or increase in major hostilities, or (iv) if a banking moratorium has been declared by a New York State or federal authority, or (v) if a moratorium on foreign exchange trading has been declared which materially adversely impacts the United States securities markets; or (vi) if the Company shall have sustained a material loss by fire, flood, accident, hurricane, earthquake, theft, sabotage or other calamity or malicious act which, whether or not such loss shall have been insured, will, in the Representative’s opinions, make it inadvisable to proceed with the delivery of the Units; or (vii) if any of the Company’s representations, warranties or covenants hereunder are breached; or (viii) if the Representative shall have become aware after the date hereof of such a material adverse change in the conditions or prospects of the Company, or such adverse material change in general market conditions, including, without limitation, as a result of terrorist activities after the date hereof, as in the Representative’s judgment would make it impracticable to proceed with the offering, sale and/or delivery of the Units or to enforce contracts made by the Underwriters for the sale of the Units.

 

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9.3.         Expenses . In the event this Agreement shall not be carried out for any reason whatsoever, except as a result of the Representative’s or any Underwriters’ breach or default with respect to any of its material obligations pursuant to this Agreement, within the time specified herein or any extensions thereof pursuant to the terms herein, the obligations of the Company to pay the out-of-pocket expenses actually incurred by the Representative related to the transactions contemplated herein shall be governed by Section 3.12 hereof.

 

9.4.         Indemnification . Notwithstanding any contrary provision contained in this Agreement, any election hereunder or any termination of this Agreement, and whether or not this Agreement is otherwise carried out, the provisions of Section 5 shall not be in any way affected by, such election or termination or failure to carry out the terms of this Agreement or any part hereof.

 

10.           Miscellaneous .

 

10.1.        Notices . All communications hereunder, except as herein otherwise specifically provided, shall be in writing and shall be mailed, delivered by hand or reputable overnight courier or delivered by facsimile transmission (with printed confirmation of receipt) and confirmed and shall be deemed given when so mailed, delivered or faxed (or if mailed, two (2) days after such mailing):

 

If to the Representative:

 

Maxim Group LLC

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10174

Attn.: Larry Glassberg

Fax: (212) 895-3783

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Representative):

 

Loeb & Loeb

345 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10154

Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum, Esq. and Giovanni Caruso, Esq.

Fax: (212) 407-4000

 

If to the Company:

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Fax: 30 (210) 876-4877

Attn: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis and George Syllantavos

 

Copy to (which copy shall not be deemed to constitute notice to the Company):

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq. and Barry I. Grossman, Esq.
Fax: (212)
370-7889

 

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10.2.        Headings . The headings contained herein are for the sole purpose of convenience of reference, and shall not in any way limit or affect the meaning or interpretation of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

 

10.3.        Amendment . This Agreement may only be amended by a written instrument executed by each of the parties hereto.

 

10.4.        Entire Agreement . This Agreement (together with the other agreements and documents being delivered pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof (and thereof), and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings of the parties, oral and written, with respect to the subject matter hereof (and thereof).

 

10.5.        Binding Effect . This Agreement shall inure solely to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Representative, the Underwriters, the Company and the Controlling Persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 5 hereof, and their respective successors, legal representatives and assigns, and no other person shall have or be construed to have any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of or by virtue of this Agreement or any provisions herein contained.

 

10.6.        Governing Law, Venue, etc .

 

10.6.1.        This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Any such process or summons to be served upon the Company may be served by transmitting a copy thereof by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to it at the address set forth in Section 10.1 hereof. Such mailing shall be deemed personal service and shall be legal and binding upon the Company in any action, proceeding or claim. The Company waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any other requirements of or objections to personal jurisdiction with respect thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action based on this Agreement may be instituted by the Representative in any competent court.

 

10.6.2.        THE COMPANY (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ON BEHALF OF ITS EQUITY HOLDERS AND CREDITORS) HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS.

 

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10.6.3.        The Company agrees that the prevailing party(ies) in any such action shall be entitled to recover from the other party(ies) all of its reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses relating to such action or proceeding and/or incurred in connection with the preparation therefor.

 

10.7.        Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement, and shall become effective when one or more counterparts has been signed by each of the parties hereto and delivered to each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by fax or email/.pdf transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

10.8.        Waiver, Etc . The failure of any of the parties hereto to at any time enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any such provision, nor to in any way effect the validity of this Agreement or any provision hereof or the right of any of the parties hereto to thereafter enforce each and every provision of this Agreement. No waiver of any breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument executed by the party or parties against whom or which enforcement of such waiver is sought; and no waiver of any such breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment shall be construed or deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach, non-compliance or non-fulfillment.

 

10.9.        No Fiduciary Relationship . The Company hereby acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting solely as underwriters in connection with the offering of the Company’s securities. The Company further acknowledges that the Underwriters are acting pursuant to a contractual relationship created solely by this Agreement entered into on an arm’s length basis and in no event do the parties intend that the Underwriters act or be responsible as a fiduciary to the Company, its management, shareholders, creditors or any other person in connection with any activity that the Underwriters may undertake or have undertaken in furtherance of the offering of the Company’s securities, either before or after the date hereof. The Underwriters hereby expressly disclaim any fiduciary or similar obligations to the Company, either in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions, and the Company hereby confirms its understanding and agreement to that effect. The Company and the Underwriters agree that they are each responsible for making their own independent judgments with respect to any such transactions, and that any opinions or views expressed by the Underwriters to the Company regarding such transactions, including but not limited to any opinions or views with respect to the price or market for the Company’s securities, do not constitute advice or recommendations to the Company. The Company hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that the Company may have against the Underwriters with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any fiduciary or similar duty to the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any matters leading up to such transactions.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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If the foregoing correctly sets forth the understanding between the Underwriters and the Company, please so indicate in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon this letter shall constitute a binding agreement between us.

 

  Very truly yours,
       
  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
       
  By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
    Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Title: Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

Agreed to and accepted on

the date first above written.

 

MAXIM GROUP LLC ,  
as Representative of the several Underwriters  
       
By: /s/ Clifford Teller  
  Name: Clifford Teller  
  Title: Executive Managing Director, Investment Banking  

 

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SCHEDULE A

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

 

6,500,000 Units

 

Underwriter  

Number of Firm Units

to be Purchased

 
Maxim Group LLC     5,037,500  
Chardan Capital Markets, LLC     812,500  
EarlyBirdCapital, Inc.     650,000  
         
TOTAL     6,500,000  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Target Business Letter

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Attn.:

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the “ Company ”), dated ______, 2016 (the “ Prospectus ”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $66,300,000 for the benefit of the “public shareholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “ Underwriters ”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to evaluate the undersigned for purposes of consummating a business combination or other form of acquisition with it, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “ Claim ”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

   
  Print Name of Target Business
   
   
  Authorized Signature of Target Business

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Form of Vendor Letter

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Attn.:

 

Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to the Final Prospectus of Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the “ Company ”), dated ______, 2016 (the “ Prospectus ”). Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in Prospectus.

 

We have read the Prospectus and understand that the Company has established a “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $66,300,000 for the benefit of the “public shareholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “ Underwriters ”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

For and in consideration of the Company agreeing to use the products or services of the undersigned, the undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “ Claim ”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

   
  Print Name of Vendor
   
   
  Authorized Signature of Vendor

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

Form of Director/Officer Letter

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Attn.:

 

Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned officer or director of Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the “ Company ”) hereby acknowledges that the Company has established the “trust account”, initially in an amount of at least $66,300,000 for the benefit of the “public shareholders” and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (the “ Underwriters ”) and that, except for (i) interest earned on the trust account that may be released to the Company to pay any taxes it incurs, and (ii) interest earned by the trust account that may be released to the Company from time to time to fund the Company’s working capital and general corporate requirements, proceeds in the trust account will not be released until (a) the consummation of a Business Combination, or (b) the dissolution and liquidation of the Company if it is unable to consummate a Business Combination within the allotted time.

 

The undersigned hereby agrees that it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the trust account (the “ Claim ”) and hereby waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any contracts or agreements with the Company and will not seek recourse against the trust account for any reason whatsoever.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, such waiver shall not apply to any shares acquired by the undersigned in the public market.

 

   
  Print Name of Officer/Director
   
   
  Authorized Signature of Officer/Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

STELLAR ACQUSITION III INC.

 

August 18, 2016

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “ Corporation ”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY AS FOLLOWS:

 

1. The name of the Corporation is “Stellar Acquisition III Inc.”. The original articles of incorporation were filed with the Republic of the Marshall Islands Registrar of Corporations on December 8, 2015 and subsequently amended and restated on January 29, 2016 (the “ Original Articles ”).

 

2. These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (the “ Amended and Restated Articles ”), were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “ Board ”), and the shareholders of the Corporation in accordance with Sections 90 and 93 of Division 9 of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act.

 

3. These Amended and Restated Articles restate, integrate, and amend the provisions of the Original Articles of Incorporation. Certain capitalized terms used in these Amended and Restated Articles are defined where appropriate herein.

 

4. The text of the Original Articles of Incorporation are hereby restated and amended in their entirety to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

NAME

 

The name of the corporation is Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

 

ARTICLE II

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Business Corporations Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (the “ BCA ”). In addition to the powers and privileges conferred upon the Corporation by law and those incidental thereto, the Corporation shall possess and may exercise all the powers and privileges that are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion or attainment of the business or purposes of the Corporation including, but not limited to, effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Corporation and one or more businesses (a “ Business Combination ”).

 

ARTICLE III

REGISTERED AGENT

 

The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the Republic of the Marshall Islands is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, MH 96960 Marshall Islands, and the name of the Corporation’s registered agent at such address is The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands.

  

 

 

 

ARTICLE IV

CAPITALIZATION

 

Section 4.1  Authorized Capital Stock . The total number of shares of all classes of capital stock which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 210,000,000 registered shares, consisting of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Preferred Stock ”). 

 

Section 4.2  Preferred Stock . Subject to  Article IX  of this Amended and Restated Articles, the Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series and to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series and to fix the voting rights, if any, designations, powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, if any, of each such series and any qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, as shall be stated in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issuance of such series and included in a certificate of designation (a “ Preferred Stock Designation ”) filed pursuant to the BCA and the Board is hereby expressly vested with the authority to the full extent provided by law, now or hereafter, to adopt any such resolution or resolutions.

 

Section 4.3  Common Stock .

 

(a) Subject to the provisions in Article IX hereof, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each such share on each matter properly submitted to the shareholders on which the holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote. Except as otherwise required by law or the Amended and Restated Articles (including any Preferred Stock Designation), at any annual or special meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and on all other matters properly submitted to a vote of the shareholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law or the Amended and Restated Articles (including a Preferred Stock Designation), the holders of the Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles (including any amendment to any Preferred Stock Designation) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of the Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the Amended and Restated Articles (including any Preferred Stock Designation).

 

(b) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of  Article IX  hereof, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions (payable in cash, property or capital stock of the Corporation) when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor, and shall share equally on a per share basis in such dividends and distributions.

 

(c) Subject to the rights, if any, of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock and the provisions of  Article IX  hereof, in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Corporation, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive all the remaining assets of the Corporation available for distribution to its shareholders, ratably in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock held by them.

 

Section 4.4  Rights and Options . The Corporation has the authority to create and issue rights, warrants and options entitling the holders thereof to purchase shares of any class or series of the Corporation’s capital stock or other securities of the Corporation, and such rights, warrants and options shall be evidenced by instrument(s) approved by the Board. The Board is empowered to set the exercise price, duration, times for exercise and other terms and conditions of such rights, warrants or options;  provided however , that the consideration to be received for any shares of capital stock subject thereto may not be less than the par value thereof.

 

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ARTICLE V

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 5.1  Board Powers . The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by, or under the direction of, the Board. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon the Board by statute, the Amended and Restated Articles or the Bylaws (“ Bylaws ”) of the Corporation, the Board is hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Corporation, subject, nevertheless, to the provisions of the BCA and the Amended and Restated Articles.

 

Section 5.2  Number, Election and Term .

 

(a) The number of directors of the Corporation, other than those who may be elected by the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock voting separately by class or series, shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board.

 

(b) Subject to  Section 5.5  hereof, the Board shall be divided into two classes, as nearly equal in number as possible and designated Class I and Class II. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to Class I or Class II. The term of the initial Class I Directors shall expire at the first annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Articles; the term of the initial Class II Directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Articles. At each succeeding annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation, beginning with the first annual meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation following the effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Articles , successors to the class of directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a two-year term. Subject to  Section 5.5  hereof, if the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

(c) Subject to  Section 5.5  hereof, a director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

(d) Unless and except to the extent that the Bylaws or the BCA shall so require, the election of directors need not be by written ballot.

 

Section 5.3  Newly Created Directorships and Vacancies . Subject to  Section 5.5  hereof, newly created directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal or other cause may be filled solely by a majority vote of the remaining directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director (and not by shareholders), and any director so chosen shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the class of directors to which the new directorship was added or in which the vacancy occurred and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified, subject, however, to such director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal.

 

Section 5.4  Removal . Subject to  Section 5.5  hereof, any or all of the directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

 

Section 5.5  Preferred Stock – Directors . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, and except as otherwise required by law, whenever the holders of one or more series of the Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect one or more directors, the term of office, the filling of vacancies, the removal from office and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of such series of the Preferred Stock as set forth in the Amended and Restated Articles (including any Preferred Stock Designation) and such directors shall not be included in any of the classes created pursuant to this Article V unless expressly provided by such terms.

  

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ARTICLE VI

BYLAWS

 

In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred upon it by law, the Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the shareholders;  provided however , that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by law or by the Amended and Restated Articles (including any Preferred Stock Designation), the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the shareholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws; and  provided further however , that no Bylaws hereafter adopted by the shareholders shall invalidate any prior act of the Board that would have been valid if such Bylaws had not been adopted.

  

ARTICLE VII

MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS; ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Section 7.1  Meetings . Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the Preferred Stock, and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of shareholders of the Corporation may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and the ability of the shareholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied.

 

Section 7.2  Advance Notice . Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by shareholders before any meeting of the shareholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws.

 

Section 7.3  Action by Written Consent . Subsequent to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial public offering of securities (the “ Offering ”), any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation must be effected by a duly called annual or special meeting of such holders and may not be effected by written consent of the shareholders.

  

ARTICLE VIII

LIMITED LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1  Limitation of Director Liability . A director of the Corporation shall not be liable to the Corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the BCA as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. Any amendment, modification or repeal of the foregoing sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Corporation hereunder in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such amendment, modification or repeal. 

 

Section 8.2  Indemnification and Advancement of Expenses .

 

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who is or was made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “ proceeding ”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (an “ indemnitee ”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes and penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such indemnitee in connection with such proceeding. The Corporation shall to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an indemnitee in defending or otherwise participating in any proceeding in advance of its final disposition;  provided however , that, to the extent required by applicable law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this  Section 8.2  or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this  Section 8.2  shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this  Section 8.2(a) , except for proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses, the Corporation shall indemnify and advance expenses to an indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.

  

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(b) The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred on any indemnitee by this  Section 8.2  shall not be exclusive of any other rights that any indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under law, the Amended and Restated Articles, the Bylaws, an agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise.

 

(c) Any repeal or amendment of this  Section 8.2  by the shareholders of the Corporation or by changes in law, or the adoption of any other provision of the Amended and Restated Articles inconsistent with this  Section 8.2 , shall, unless otherwise required by law, be prospective only (except to the extent such amendment or change in law permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights on a retroactive basis than permitted prior thereto), and shall not in any way diminish or adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision in respect of any proceeding (regardless of when such proceeding is first threatened, commenced or completed) arising out of, or related to, any act or omission occurring prior to such repeal or amendment or adoption of such inconsistent provision.

 

(d) This Section 8.2 shall not limit the right of the Corporation, to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law, to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than indemnitees.

 

ARTICLE IX

BUSINESS COMBINATION REQUIREMENTS; EXISTENCE

 

Section 9.1  General .

 

(a) The provisions of this  Article IX  shall apply during the period commencing upon the effectiveness of the Amended and Restated Articles and terminating upon the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination and no amendment to this  Article IX  shall be effective prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all then outstanding shares of the Common Stock.

 

(b) Immediately after the Offering, a certain amount of the net offering proceeds received by the Corporation in the Offering (including the proceeds of any exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option) and certain other amounts specified in the Corporation’s registration statement on Form S-1, as initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 30, 2016, as amended (the “ Registration Statement ”), shall be deposited in a trust account (the “ Trust Account ”), established for the benefit of the Public Shareholders (as defined below) pursuant to a trust agreement described in the Registration Statement (the “ Trust Agreement ”). Except for the withdrawal of interest to pay taxes and for working capital purposes (including repayment from interest of loans made to the Corporation by the Sponsor or application of withdrawn or accrued interest to the Sponsors’ obligation to loan the Corporation money in connection with an extension described in Section 9.1(c) below), none of the funds held in the Trust Account (including the interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account) will be released from the Trust Account until the earlier of (i) the completion of the initial Business Combination and (ii) the redemption of 100% of the Offering Shares (as defined below) if the Corporation is unable to complete its initial Business Combination by the applicable Termination Date (as defined below). Holders of shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock included as part of the units sold in the Offering (the “ Offering Shares ”) (whether such Offering Shares were purchased in the Offering or in the secondary market following the Offering and whether or not such holders are affiliates of Astra Maritime Corp., Dominium Investments Inc., Magellan Investments Corp. or Firmus Investments Inc. (the “ Sponsors ”) or officers or directors of the Corporation) are referred to herein as “ Public Shareholders .”

  

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(c) In the event that the Corporation has not consummated an initial Business Combination within 12 months from the date of the closing of the Offering, the Board of Directors may extend the period of time to consummate a Business Combination up to three times (the latest such date, the “ Termination Date ”), each by an additional three months, for an aggregate of nine additional months, provided that (i) for each such extension the Sponsors (or their designees) must deposit into the Trust Account $379,167 (or up to $436,042 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) per extension in exchange for a non-interest bearing, unsecured promissory note, for maximum aggregate proceeds to the Corporation of $1,137,501 (or up to $1,308,126 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) if three extensions occur and (ii) the procedures relating to any such extension, as set forth in the Trust Agreement, shall have been complied with. The gross proceeds from the issuance of such promissory notes will be added to the proceeds from the Offering to be held in the Trust Account and shall be used to fund the redemption of the Offering Shares in accordance with Section 9.2. In the event that interest in the trust is available for withdrawal for working capital purposes, and has not been used to pay taxes or other working capital expenses, the Corporation may apply accrued interest in the trust account or such withdrawn interest to the Sponsors' obligation to loan money to the Corporation in connection with an extension of the period of time during which the Corporation must consummate a Business Combination, and the amount that the Sponsors would be obligated to loan to the Corporation in connection with such extension would be reduced by the amount of interest so applied.

 

Section 9.2  Redemption and Repurchase Rights .

 

(a) Prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall provide all holders of Offering Shares with the opportunity to have their Offering Shares redeemed or repurchased upon the consummation of the initial Business Combination pursuant to, and subject to the limitations of,  Sections 9.2(b)  and  9.2(c)  (such rights of such holders to have their Offering Shares redeemed or repurchased pursuant to such Sections, the “ Redemption Rights ”) hereof for cash equal to the applicable redemption or repurchase price per share determined in accordance with  Section 9.2(b)  hereof (the “ Redemption Price ”);  provided however , that the Corporation shall not redeem or repurchase Offering Shares to the extent that such redemption or repurchase would result in the Corporation having net tangible assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) of less than $5,000,001 (such limitation hereinafter called the “ Redemption Limitation ”) upon consummation of the Business Combination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Amended and Restated Articles, there shall be no Redemption Rights or liquidating distributions with respect to any warrant issued pursuant to the Offering.

 

(b) (i) Repurchase Rights . Unless the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares as described in Section 9.2(b)(ii), it shall offer to repurchase the Offering Shares pursuant to a tender offer in accordance with Rule 13e-4 and Regulation 14E of the Exchange Act (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “ Tender Offer Rules ”) which it shall commence prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination and shall file tender offer documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission that contain substantially the same financial and other information about the initial Business Combination and the Redemption Rights as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act (such rules and regulations hereinafter called the “ Proxy Solicitation Rules ”), even if such information is not required under the Tender Offer Rules. If the Corporation offers to repurchase the Offering Shares (and has not otherwise withdrawn the tender offer), the Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares tendering their Offering Shares pursuant to such tender offer shall be equal to, subject to the Redemption Limitation, the quotient obtained by dividing: (i) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the date of the commencement of the tender offer, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Corporation), by (ii) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares. 

 

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(ii) Redemption Rights . If a stockholder vote is required by law to approve the proposed initial Business Combination or the Corporation decides to hold a stockholder vote on the proposed initial Business Combination for business or other legal reasons, the Corporation shall offer to redeem the Offering Shares at a Redemption Price per share of the Common Stock payable to holders of the Offering Shares exercising their Redemption Rights (irrespective of whether they voted in favor or against the Business Combination) equal to, subject to the Redemption Limitation, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account as of two business days prior to the consummation of the initial Business Combination, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Corporation), by (b) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares.

  

(c) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination pursuant to a proxy solicitation, a Public Stockholder, together with any affiliate of such stockholder or any other person with whom such stockholder is acting in concert or as a “ group ” (as defined under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), shall be restricted from seeking Redemption Rights with respect to 26% or more of the Offering Shares.

  

(d) In the event that the Corporation has not consummated a Business Combination by the applicable Termination Date, the Corporation shall (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than ten business days thereafter subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Offering Shares in consideration of a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Corporation and less up to $50,000 of such net interest to pay dissolution expenses), by (B) the total number of then outstanding Offering Shares, which redemption will completely extinguish rights of the Public Shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the remaining shareholders and the Board in accordance with applicable law, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Corporation’s obligations under the BCA to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law.

 

(e) If the Corporation offers to redeem the Offering Shares in conjunction with a stockholder vote on an initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall consummate the proposed Business Combination only if (i) such initial Business Combination is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of the Common Stock that are voted at a stockholder meeting held to consider such initial Business Combination and (ii) the Redemption Limitation is not exceeded.

 

Section 9.3  Distributions from the Trust Account .

 

(a) A Public Stockholder shall be entitled to receive funds from the Trust Account only as provided in  Sections 9.2(a) 9.2(b) 9.2(d)  or  9.7  hereof. In no other circumstances shall a Public Stockholder have any right or interest of any kind in or to distributions from the Trust Account, and no stockholder other than a Public Stockholder shall have any interest in or to the Trust Account.

 

(b) Each Public Stockholder that does not exercise its Redemption Rights shall retain its interest in the Corporation and shall be deemed to have given its consent to the release of the remaining funds in the Trust Account to the Corporation, and following payment to any Public Shareholders exercising their Redemption Rights, the remaining funds in the Trust Account shall be released to the Corporation.

 

(c) The exercise by a Public Stockholder of the Redemption Rights shall be conditioned on such Public Stockholder following the specific procedures for redemptions set forth by the Corporation in any applicable tender offer or proxy materials sent to the Corporation’s Public Shareholders relating to the proposed initial Business Combination. Payment of the amounts necessary to satisfy the Redemption Rights properly exercised shall be made as promptly as practical after the consummation of the initial Business Combination. A Public Shareholder must follow any procedures specified in the Registration Statement or proxy solicitation, or tender offer, materials in order to redeem any Offering Shares.

 

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Section 9.4  Share Issuances . Prior to the consummation of the Corporation’s initial Business Combination, the Corporation shall not issue any additional shares of capital stock of the Corporation that would entitle the holders thereof to receive funds from the Trust Account or vote on any Business Combination. 

 

Section 9.5  Transactions with Affiliates . In the event the Corporation enters into an initial Business Combination with a target business that is affiliated with the Sponsor, or the directors or officers of the Corporation, the Corporation, or a committee of the independent directors of the Corporation, shall obtain an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or a qualified independent accounting firm that such Business Combination is fair to the Corporation from a financial point of view.

 

Section 9.6  No Transactions with Other Blank Check Companies . The Corporation shall not enter into a Business Combination with another blank check company or a similar company with nominal operations.

  

Section 9.7  Additional Redemption Rights . If, in accordance with  Section 9.1(a) , any amendment is made to  Section 9.2(d)  that would affect the substance or timing of the Corporation’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Corporation has not consummated a Business Combination by the applicable Termination Date, the Public Shareholders shall be provided with the opportunity to redeem their Offering Shares upon the approval of any such amendment, at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Corporation), divided by the number of then outstanding Offering Shares.  No such amendment may be made to Section 9.2(d) if the redemption of Offering Shares provided pursuant to this Section 9.7 would result in the Corporation having net tangible assets of less than the Redemption Limitation.

 

Section 9.8  Minimum Value of Target . So long as the Corporation’s securities are listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Corporation’s Business Combination must occur with one or more target businesses that together have a fair market value of at least 80% of the assets held in the Trust Account (excluding the deferred underwriting commissions and taxes payable on the income earned on the Trust Account) at the time of the agreement to enter into the Business Combination.

 

ARTICLE X

CORPORATE OPPORTUNITY

 

The doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any other analogous doctrine, shall not apply with respect to the Corporation or any of its officers or directors in circumstances where the application of any such doctrine would conflict with any fiduciary duties or contractual obligations they may have as of the date of the Amended and Restated Articles or in the future.

 

ARTICLE XI

AMENDMENT OF AMENDED AND RESTATED

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

 

The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in the Amended and Restated Articles (including any Preferred Stock Designation), in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by the Amended and Restated Articles and the BCA; and, except as set forth in  Article VIII , all rights, preferences and privileges herein conferred upon shareholders, directors or any other persons by and pursuant to the Amended and Restated Articles in its present form or as hereafter amended are granted subject to the right reserved in this  Article XI provided however , that  Article IX  of the Amended and Restated Articles may be amended only as provided therein. 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Stellar Acquisition III Inc. has caused the Amended and Restated Articles to be duly executed in its name and on its behalf by an authorized officer as of the date first set forth above.

 

  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
     
  By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Title:   co-Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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Exhibit 4.1

 

STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.

 

and

 

CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY

 

WARRANT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of August 18, 2016

 

THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of August 18, 2016, is by and between Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Company ”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (the “ Warrant Agent ”, also referred to herein as the “ Transfer Agent ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Sponsors Warrants Purchase Agreement dated as of August 12, 2016 (the “ Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement ”), with Astra Maritime Corp., Dominium Investments Inc., Magellan Investments Corp. and Firmus Investments Inc. (the “ Sponsors ”), pursuant to which the Sponsors will purchase an aggregate of 7,650,000 warrants (or up to 8,430,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) simultaneously with the closing of the Offering (as defined below) bearing the legend set forth in  Exhibit B  hereto (the “ Private Placement Warrants ”) at a purchase price of $0.50 per Private Placement Warrant; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company is engaged in an initial public offering (the “ Offering ”) of units of the Company’s equity securities, each such unit comprised of one share of Common Stock (as defined below) and one Public Warrant (as defined below) (the “ Units ”) and, in connection therewith, has determined to issue and deliver (i) up to 7,475,000 warrants (including up to 975,000 warrants subject to the Over-allotment Option) to public investors in the Offering (the “ Public Warrants ”) and (ii) 130,000 warrants (underlying a unit purchase option) to the underwriters of the Offering (the “ Underwriters’ Warrants ” and, together with the Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants, the “ Warrants ”). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (“ Common Stock ”), for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) a registration statement on Form S-1, No. 333—212377 (the “ Registration Statement ”) and prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”), for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), of the Units, the Public Warrants and the Common Stock included in the Units; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent, as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.  Appointment of Warrant Agent . The Company hereby appoints the Warrant Agent to act as agent for the Company for the Warrants, and the Warrant Agent hereby accepts such appointment and agrees to perform the same in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

2.  Warrants .

 

2.1  [Reserved].

 

2.2  Effect of Countersignature . If a physical certificate is issued, unless and until countersigned by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement, a Warrant shall be invalid and of no effect and may not be exercised by the holder thereof.

 

2.3  Registration .

 

2.3.1  Warrant Register . The Warrant Agent shall maintain books (the “ Warrant Register ”), for the registration of original issuance and the registration of transfer of the Warrants. Upon the initial issuance of the Warrants in book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall issue and register the Warrants in the names of the respective holders thereof in such denominations and otherwise in accordance with instructions delivered to the Warrant Agent by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in the Public Warrants shall be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership shall be effected through, records maintained by institutions that have accounts with the Depository Trust Company (the “ Depository ”) (such institution, with respect to a Warrant in its account, a “ Participant ”).

 

If the Depository subsequently ceases to make its book-entry settlement system available for the Public Warrants, the Company may instruct the Warrant Agent regarding making other arrangements for book-entry settlement. In the event that the Public Warrants are not eligible for, or it is no longer necessary to have the Public Warrants available in, book-entry form, the Warrant Agent shall provide written instructions to the Depository to deliver to the Warrant Agent for cancellation each book-entry Public Warrant, and the Company shall instruct the Warrant Agent to deliver to the Depository definitive certificates in physical form evidencing such Warrants which shall be in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A.

 

The certificates, if issued, shall be signed by, or bear the facsimile signature of, the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or other principal officer of the Company. In the event the person whose facsimile signature has been placed upon any Warrant shall have ceased to serve in the capacity in which such person signed the Warrant before such Warrant is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she had not ceased to be such at the date of issuance.

 

2.3.2  Registered Holder . Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Warrant, the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the person in whose name such Warrant is registered in the Warrant Register (the “ Registered Holder ”) as the absolute owner of such Warrant and of each Warrant represented thereby, for the purpose of any exercise thereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

2.4  Detachability of Warrants . The Common Stock and Public Warrants comprising the Units shall begin separate trading on the 52nd day following the date of the Prospectus or, if such 52nd day is not on a day, other than a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, on which banks in New York City are generally open for normal business (a “ Business Day ”), then on the immediately succeeding Business Day following such date, or earlier (the “ Detachment Date ”) with the consent of Maxim Group LLC, as representative of the several underwriters, but in no event shall the Common Stock and the Public Warrants comprising the Units be separately traded until (A) the Company has filed a current report on Form 8-K with the Commission containing an audited balance sheet reflecting the receipt by the Company of the gross proceeds of the Offering, including the proceeds received by the Company from the exercise by the underwriters of their right to purchase additional shares of Common Stock in the Offering (the “ Over-allotment Option ”), if the Over-allotment Option is exercised prior to the filing of the Form 8-K, and (B) the Company issues a press release and files with the Commission a current report on Form 8-K announcing when such separate trading shall begin.

 

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2.5  Warrant Attributes .

 

2.5.1 Private Placement Warrants . The Private Placement Warrants shall be identical to the Public Warrants, except that so long as they are held by the Sponsors or any of their Permitted Transferees (as defined below) the Private Placement Warrants: (i) may be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis, pursuant to  subsection 3.3.1(c)  hereof, (ii) may not be transferred, assigned or sold until thirty (30) days after the completion by the Company of an initial Business Combination (as defined below), and (iii) shall not be redeemable by the Company;  provided however , that in the case of (ii), the Private Placement Warrants and any shares of Common Stock held by the members of any Sponsor and issued upon exercise of the Private Placement Warrants may be transferred by the holders thereof:

 

(a) in the case of an individual, by gift to such person’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such person’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization,

 

(b) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors or any member of any Sponsor, or any affiliate of any Sponsor or its members,

 

(c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of the laws of descent and distribution upon death of such person,

 

(d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order,

 

(e) through private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the Warrants were originally purchased, or

 

(f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of the initial Business Combination,

 

(g) in the event that, subsequent to the consummation of the Company’s initial Business Combination, the Company consummates a merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the holders of the Company’s equity securities issued in the Offering having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property;  provided however , that, in the case of clauses (a) through (e), these transferees (the “ Permitted Transferees ”) enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions in this Agreement.

 

2.5.2 Underwriters’ Warrants. The Underwriters’ Warrants, when issued, shall have the same terms and be in the same form as the Public Warrants.

 

3.  Terms and Exercise of Warrants .

 

3.1  Warrant Price . Each Warrant shall, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, entitle the Registered Holder thereof, subject to the provisions of such Warrant and of this Agreement, to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock stated therein, at the price of $11.50 per share, subject to the adjustments provided in  Section 4  hereof and in the last sentence of this  Section 3.1 . The term “Warrant Price” as used in this Agreement shall mean the price per share at which shares of Common Stock may be purchased at the time a Warrant is exercised. The Company in its sole discretion may lower the Warrant Price at any time prior to the Expiration Date (as defined below) for a period of not less than twenty (20) Business Days, provided, that the Company shall provide at least twenty (20) days prior written notice of such reduction to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such reduction shall be identical among all of the Warrants.

 

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3.2  Duration of Warrants . A Warrant may be exercised only during the period (the “ Exercise Period ”) commencing on the later of: (i) the date that is thirty (30) days after the first date on which the Company completes a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “ Business Combination ”), or (ii) the date that is twelve (12) months from the date of the closing of the Offering, and terminating at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on the earlier to occur of: (x) the date that is five (5) years after the date on which the Company completes its initial Business Combination, (y) the liquidation of the Company’s trust account in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended from time to time, if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination, or (z) other than with respect to the Private Placement Warrants, the Redemption Date (as defined below) as provided in  Section 6.2  hereof (the “ Expiration Date ”);  provided however , that the exercise of any Warrant shall be subject to the satisfaction of any applicable conditions, as set forth in  subsection 3.3.2  below, with respect to an effective registration statement. Except with respect to the right to receive the Redemption Price (as defined below) (other than with respect to a Private Placement Warrant) in the event of a redemption (as set forth in  Section 6  hereof), each Warrant (other than a Private Placement Warrant in the event of a redemption) not exercised on or before the Expiration Date shall become void, and all rights thereunder and all rights in respect thereof under this Agreement shall cease at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Expiration Date. The Company in its sole discretion may extend the duration of the Warrants by delaying the Expiration Date;  provided , that the Company shall provide at least twenty (20) days prior written notice of any such extension to Registered Holders of the Warrants and, provided further that any such extension shall be identical in duration among all the Warrants.

 

3.3  Exercise of Warrants .

 

3.3.1  Payment . Subject to the provisions of the Warrant and this Agreement, a Warrant, when countersigned by the Warrant Agent, may be exercised by the Registered Holder thereof by surrendering it, at the office of the Warrant Agent, or at the office of its successor as Warrant Agent, in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, with the subscription form, as set forth in the Warrant, duly executed, and by paying in full the Warrant Price for each full share of Common Stock as to which the Warrant is exercised and any and all applicable taxes due in connection with the exercise of the Warrant, the exchange of the Warrant for the shares of Common Stock and the issuance of such Common Stock, as follows:

 

(a) in lawful money of the United States, in good certified check or good bank draft payable to the order of the Warrant Agent;

 

(b) in the event of a redemption pursuant to  Section 6  hereof in which the Company’s board of directors (the “ Board ”) has elected to require all holders of the Warrants to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market Value”, as defined in this  subsection 3.3.1(b)  by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this  subsection 3.3.1(b)  and  Section 6.3 , the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average last sale price of the Common Stock for the ten (10) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which the notice of redemption is sent to the holders of the Warrants, pursuant to  Section 6 hereof;

 

(c) with respect to any Private Placement Warrant, so long as such Private Placement Warrant is held by any Sponsor or a Permitted Transferee, by surrendering the Warrants for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market Value”, as defined in this  subsection 3.3.1(c) , by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this  subsection 3.3.1(c) , the “Fair Market Value” shall mean the average last sale price of the Common Stock for the ten (10) trading days ending on the third trading day prior to the date on which notice of exercise of the Warrant is sent to the Warrant Agent; or

 

(d) as provided in Section 7.4 hereof.

 

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3.3.2  Issuance of Shares of Common Stock on Exercise . As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant and the clearance of the funds in payment of the Warrant Price (if payment is pursuant to  subsection 3.3.1(a)) , the Company shall issue to the Registered Holder of such Warrant a book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for the number of full shares of Common Stock to which he, she or it is entitled, registered in such name or names as may be directed by him, her or it, and if such Warrant shall not have been exercised in full, a new book-entry position or countersigned Warrant, as applicable, for the number of shares as to which such Warrant shall not have been exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Warrant and shall have no obligation to settle such Warrant exercise unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants is then effective and a prospectus relating thereto is current, subject to the Company’s satisfying its obligations under  Section 7.4 . No Warrant shall be exercisable and the Company shall not be obligated to issue shares of Common Stock upon exercise of a Warrant unless the Common Stock issuable upon such Warrant exercise has been registered, qualified or deemed to be exempt under the securities laws of the state of residence of the Registered Holder of the Warrants. In the event that the conditions in the two immediately preceding sentences are not satisfied with respect to a Warrant, the holder of such Warrant shall not be entitled to exercise such Warrant and such Warrant may have no value and expire worthless, in which case the purchaser of a Unit containing such Public Warrants shall have paid the full purchase price for the Unit solely for the shares of Common Stock underlying such Unit. Subject to  Section 4.6  of this Agreement, a Registered Holder of Warrants may exercise its Warrants only for a whole number of shares of Common Stock. In no event will the Company be required to net cash settle the Warrant exercise. The Company may require holders of Public Warrants to settle the Warrant on a “cashless basis” pursuant to  Section 7.4 . If, by reason of any exercise of warrants on a “cashless basis”, the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall round down to the nearest whole number, the number of shares to be issued to such holder. 

 

3.3.3  Valid Issuance . All shares of Common Stock issued upon the proper exercise of a Warrant in conformity with this Agreement shall be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

3.3.4  Date of Issuance . Each person in whose name any book-entry position or certificate, as applicable, for shares of Common Stock is issued shall for all purposes be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares of Common Stock on the date on which the Warrant, or book-entry position representing such Warrant, was surrendered and payment of the Warrant Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate in the case of a certificated Warrant, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the share transfer books of the Company or book-entry system of the Warrant Agent are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the share transfer books or book-entry system are open.

 

3.3.5  Maximum Percentage . A holder of a Warrant may notify the Company in writing in the event it elects to be subject to the provisions contained in this  subsection 3.3.5 however , no holder of a Warrant shall be subject to this  subsection 3.3.5  unless he, she or it makes such election. If the election is made by a holder, the Warrant Agent shall not effect the exercise of the holder’s Warrant, and such holder shall not have the right to exercise such Warrant, to the extent that after giving effect to such exercise, such person (together with such person’s affiliates), to the Warrant Agent’s actual knowledge, would beneficially own in excess of 9.8% (the “ Maximum Percentage ”) of the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise. For purposes of the foregoing sentence, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates shall include the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrant with respect to which the determination of such sentence is being made, but shall exclude shares of Common Stock that would be issuable upon (x) exercise of the remaining, unexercised portion of the Warrant beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates and (y) exercise or conversion of the unexercised or unconverted portion of any other securities of the Company beneficially owned by such person and its affiliates (including, without limitation, any convertible notes or convertible preferred stock or warrants) subject to a limitation on conversion or exercise analogous to the limitation contained herein. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence, for purposes of this paragraph, beneficial ownership shall be calculated in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”). For purposes of the Warrant, in determining the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder may rely on the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock as reflected in (1) the Company’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly report on Form 10-Q, current report on Form 8-K or other public filing with the Commission as the case may be, (2) a more recent public announcement by the Company or (3) any other notice by the Company or Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Transfer Agent”) setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding. For any reason at any time, upon the written request of the holder of the Warrant, the Company shall, within two (2) Business Days, confirm orally and in writing to such holder the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding. In any case, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be determined after giving effect to the conversion or exercise of equity securities of the Company by the holder and its affiliates since the date as of which such number of outstanding shares of Common Stock was reported. By written notice to the Company, the holder of a Warrant may from time to time increase or decrease the Maximum Percentage applicable to such holder to any other percentage specified in such notice;  provided however , that any such increase shall not be effective until the sixty-first (61st) day after such notice is delivered to the Company.

 

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4.  Adjustments .

 

4.1  Stock Dividends .

 

4.1.1  Split-Ups . If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of  Section 4.6  below, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is increased by a stock dividend payable in shares of Common Stock, or by a split-up of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such stock dividend, split-up or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be increased in proportion to such increase in the outstanding shares of Common Stock. A rights offering to holders of the Common Stock entitling holders to purchase shares of Common Stock at a price less than the “Fair Market Value” (as defined below) shall be deemed a stock dividend of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock actually sold in such rights offering (or issuable under any other equity securities sold in such rights offering that are convertible into or exercisable for the Common Stock) multiplied by (ii) one (1) minus the quotient of (x) the price per share of Common Stock paid in such rights offering divided by (y) the Fair Market Value. For purposes of this  subsection 4.1.1 , (i) if the rights offering is for securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, in determining the price payable for Common Stock, there shall be taken into account any consideration received for such rights, as well as any additional amount payable upon exercise or conversion and (ii) “Fair Market Value” means the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the first date on which the shares of Common Stock trade on the applicable exchange or in the applicable market, regular way, without the right to receive such rights.

 

4.1.2  Extraordinary Dividends . If the Company, at any time while the Warrants are outstanding and unexpired, shall pay a dividend or make a distribution in cash, securities or other assets to the holders of the Common Stock on account of such shares of Common Stock (or other shares of the Company’s capital stock into which the Warrants are convertible), other than (a) as described in  subsection 4.1.1  above, (b) Ordinary Cash Dividends (as defined below), (c) to satisfy the redemption rights of the holders of the Common Stock in connection with a proposed initial Business Combination, (d) as a result of the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the Company if a proposed initial Business Combination is presented to the shareholders of the Company for approval or (e) in connection with the Company’s liquidation and the distribution of its assets upon its failure to consummate a Business Combination (any such non-excluded event being referred to herein as an “ Extraordinary Dividend ”), then the Warrant Price shall be decreased, effective immediately after the effective date of such Extraordinary Dividend, by the amount of cash and/or the fair market value (as determined by the Board, in good faith) of any securities or other assets paid on each share of Common Stock in respect of such Extraordinary Dividend. For purposes of this  subsection 4.1.2 , “ Ordinary Cash Dividends ” means any cash dividend or cash distribution which, when combined on a per share basis, with the per share amounts of all other cash dividends and cash distributions paid on the Common Stock during the 365-day period ending on the date of declaration of such dividend or distribution (as adjusted to appropriately reflect any of the events referred to in other subsections of this  Section 4  and excluding cash dividends or cash distributions that resulted in an adjustment to the Warrant Price or to the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant) does not exceed $0.50 (being 5% of the offering price of the Units in the Offering).

 

4.2  Aggregation of Shares . If after the date hereof, and subject to the provisions of  Section 4.6  hereof, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock is decreased by a consolidation, combination, reverse stock split or reclassification of shares of Common Stock or other similar event, then, on the effective date of such consolidation, combination, reverse stock split, reclassification or similar event, the number of shares of Common Stock issuable on exercise of each Warrant shall be decreased in proportion to such decrease in outstanding shares of Common Stock.

 

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4.3  Adjustments in Exercise Price . Whenever the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants is adjusted, as provided in  subsection 4.1.1  or  4.2  above, the Warrant Price shall be adjusted (to the nearest cent) by multiplying such Warrant Price immediately prior to such adjustment by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to such adjustment, and (y) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock so purchasable immediately thereafter. 

 

4.4  Replacement of Securities upon Reorganization, etc . In case of any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change under  subsections 4.1.1  or  4.1.2  or  Section 4.2 hereof or that solely affects the par value of such shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another corporation (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and that does not result in any reclassification or reorganization of the outstanding shares of Common Stock), or in the case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation or entity of the assets or other property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety in connection with which the Company is dissolved, the holders of the Warrants shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in the Warrants and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented thereby, the kind and amount of shares of stock or other securities or property (including cash) receivable upon such reclassification, reorganization, merger or consolidation, or upon a dissolution following any such sale or transfer, that the holder of the Warrants would have received if such holder had exercised his, her or its Warrant(s) immediately prior to such event (the “ Alternative Issuance ” );  provided however , that (i) if the holders of the Common Stock were entitled to exercise a right of election as to the kind or amount of securities, cash or other assets receivable upon such consolidation or merger, then the kind and amount of securities, cash or other assets constituting the Alternative Issuance for which each Warrant shall become exercisable shall be deemed to be the weighted average of the kind and amount received per share by the holders of the Common Stock in such consolidation or merger that affirmatively make such election, and (ii) if a tender, exchange or redemption offer shall have been made to and accepted by the holders of the Common Stock (other than a tender, exchange or redemption offer made by the Company in connection with redemption rights held by shareholders of the Company as provided for in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or as a result of the repurchase of shares of Common Stock by the Company if a proposed initial Business Combination is presented to the shareholders of the Company for approval) under circumstances in which, upon completion of such tender or exchange offer, the maker thereof, together with members of any group (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act) of which such maker is a part, and together with any affiliate or associate of such maker (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act) and any members of any such group of which any such affiliate or associate is a part, own beneficially (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, the holder of a Warrant shall be entitled to receive as the Alternative Issuance, the highest amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would actually have been entitled as a shareholder if such Warrant holder had exercised the Warrant prior to the expiration of such tender or exchange offer, accepted such offer and all of the Common Stock held by such holder had been purchased pursuant to such tender or exchange offer, subject to adjustments (from and after the consummation of such tender or exchange offer) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in this  Section 4 provided further , that if less than 70% of the consideration receivable by the holders of the Common Stock in the applicable event is payable in the form of common stock in the successor entity that is listed for trading on a national securities exchange or is quoted in an established over-the-counter market, or is to be so listed for trading or quoted immediately following such event, and if the Registered Holder properly exercises the Warrant within thirty (30) days following the public disclosure of the consummation of such applicable event by the Company pursuant to a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC, the Warrant Price shall be reduced by an amount (in dollars) equal to the difference of (i) the Warrant Price in effect prior to such reduction minus (ii) (A) the Per Share Consideration (as defined below) (but in no event less than zero) minus (B) the Black-Scholes Warrant Value (as defined below). The “Black-Scholes Warrant Value” means the value of a Warrant immediately prior to the consummation of the applicable event based on the Black-Scholes Warrant Model for a Capped American Call on Bloomberg Financial Markets (“Bloomberg”). For purposes of calculating such amount, (1)  Section 6  of this Agreement shall be taken into account, (2) the price of each share of Common Stock shall be the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the applicable event, (3) the assumed volatility shall be the 90 day volatility obtained from the HVT function on Bloomberg determined as of the trading day immediately prior to the day of the announcement of the applicable event , and (4) the assumed risk-free interest rate shall correspond to the U.S. Treasury rate for a period equal to the remaining term of the Warrant. “Per Share Consideration” means (i) if the consideration paid to holders of the Common Stock consists exclusively of cash, the amount of such cash per share of Common Stock, and (ii) in all other cases, the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the effective date of the applicable event. If any reclassification or reorganization also results in a change in shares of Common Stock covered by  subsection 4.1.1 , then such adjustment shall be made pursuant to  subsection 4.1.1  or  Sections 4.2 4.3  and this  Section 4.4 . The provisions of this  Section 4.4  shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, reorganizations, mergers or consolidations, sales or other transfers. In no event will the Warrant Price be reduced to less than the par value per share issuable upon exercise of such Warrant.

 

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4.5  Notices of Changes in Warrant . Upon every adjustment of the Warrant Price or the number of shares issuable upon exercise of a Warrant, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Warrant Agent, which notice shall state the Warrant Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares purchasable at such price upon the exercise of a Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based. Upon the occurrence of any event specified in  Sections 4.1 4.2 4.3  or  4.4 , the Company shall give written notice of the occurrence of such event to each holder of a Warrant, at the last address set forth for such holder in the Warrant Register, of the record date or the effective date of the event. Failure to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such event. 

 

4.6  No Fractional Shares . Notwithstanding any provision contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall not issue fractional shares upon the exercise of Warrants. If, by reason of any adjustment made pursuant to this  Section 4 , the holder of any Warrant would be entitled, upon the exercise of such Warrant, to receive a fractional interest in a share, the Company shall, upon such exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to such holder.

 

4.7  Form of Warrant . The form of Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment pursuant to this  Section 4 , and Warrants issued after such adjustment may state the same Warrant Price and the same number of shares as is stated in the Warrants initially issued pursuant to this Agreement;  provided however , that the Company may at any time in its sole discretion make any change in the form of Warrant that the Company may deem appropriate and that does not affect the substance thereof, and any Warrant thereafter issued or countersigned, whether in exchange or substitution for an outstanding Warrant or otherwise, may be in the form as so changed.

 

4.8  Other Events . In case any event shall occur affecting the Company as to which none of the provisions of preceding subsections of this  Section 4  are strictly applicable, but which would require an adjustment to the terms of the Warrants in order to (i) avoid an adverse impact on the Warrants and (ii) effectuate the intent and purpose of this  Section 4 , then, in each such case, the Company shall appoint a firm of independent public accountants, investment banking or other appraisal firm of recognized national standing, which shall give its opinion as to whether or not any adjustment to the rights represented by the Warrants is necessary to effectuate the intent and purpose of this  Section 4  and, if they determine that an adjustment is necessary, the terms of such adjustment. The Company shall adjust the terms of the Warrants in a manner that is consistent with any adjustment recommended in such opinion.

 

5.  Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.

 

5.1  Registration of Transfer . The Warrant Agent shall register the transfer, from time to time, of any outstanding Warrant upon the Warrant Register, upon surrender of such Warrant for transfer, properly endorsed with signatures properly guaranteed and accompanied by appropriate instructions for transfer. Upon any such transfer, a new Warrant representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants shall be issued and the old Warrant shall be cancelled by the Warrant Agent. The Warrants so cancelled shall be delivered by the Warrant Agent to the Company from time to time upon request.

 

5.2  Procedure for Surrender of Warrants . Warrants may be surrendered to the Warrant Agent, together with a written request for exchange or transfer, and thereupon the Warrant Agent shall issue in exchange therefor one or more new Warrants as requested by the Registered Holder of the Warrants so surrendered, representing an equal aggregate number of Warrants;  provided however , that in the event that a Warrant surrendered for transfer bears a restrictive legend (as in the case of the Private Placement Warrants), the Warrant Agent shall not cancel such Warrant and issue new Warrants in exchange thereof until the Warrant Agent has received an opinion of counsel for the Company stating that such transfer may be made and indicating whether the new Warrants must also bear a restrictive legend.

 

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5.3  Fractional Warrants . The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any registration of transfer or exchange which shall result in the issuance of a warrant certificate or book-entry position for a fraction of a warrant.

 

5.4  Service Charges . No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Warrants.

 

5.5  Warrant Execution and Countersignature . The Warrant Agent is hereby authorized to countersign and to deliver, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Warrants required to be issued pursuant to the provisions of this  Section 5 , and the Company, whenever required by the Warrant Agent, shall supply the Warrant Agent with Warrants duly executed on behalf of the Company for such purpose.

 

5.6  Transfer of Warrants . Prior to the Detachment Date, the Public Warrants may be transferred or exchanged only together with the Unit in which such Warrant is included, and only for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, a transfer or exchange of such Unit. Furthermore, each transfer of a Unit on the register relating to such Units shall operate also to transfer the Warrants included in such Unit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this  Section 5.6  shall have no effect on any transfer of Warrants on and after the Detachment Date.

 

6.  Redemption .

 

6.1  Redemption . Subject to  Section 6.4  hereof, not less than all of the outstanding Warrants may be redeemed, at the option of the Company, at any time while they are exercisable and prior to their expiration, at the office of the Warrant Agent, upon notice to the Registered Holders of the Warrants, as described in  Section 6.2  below, at the price of $0.01 per Warrant (the “ Redemption Price ”), provided that the last sales price of the Common Stock reported has been at least $21.00 per share (subject to adjustment in compliance with  Section 4  hereof),   on each of twenty (20) trading days within the thirty (30) trading-day period ending on the third Business Day prior to the date on which notice of the redemption is given and provided that there is an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, and a current prospectus relating thereto, available throughout the 30-day Redemption Period ( as defined in  Section 6.2  below ) or the Company has elected to require the exercise of the Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to  subsection 3.3.1 .

 

6.2  Date Fixed for, and Notice of, Redemption . In the event that the Company elects to redeem all of the Warrants, the Company shall fix a date for the redemption (the “ Redemption Date ”). Notice of redemption shall be mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, by the Company not less than thirty (30) days prior to the Redemption Date (such 30-day period, the “ Redemption Period ”) to the Registered Holders of the Warrants to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear on the registration books. Any notice mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the Registered Holder received such notice.

 

6.3  Exercise After Notice of Redemption . The Warrants may be exercised, for cash (or on a “cashless basis” in accordance with  subsection 3.3.1(b)  of this Agreement) at any time after notice of redemption shall have been given by the Company pursuant to  Section 6.2  hereof and prior to the Redemption Date. In the event that the Company determines to require all holders of Warrants to exercise their Warrants on a “cashless basis” pursuant to  subsection 3.3.1 , the notice of redemption shall contain the information necessary to calculate the number of shares of Common Stock to be received upon exercise of the Warrants, including the “Fair Market Value” (as such term is defined in  subsection 3.3.1(b)  hereof) in such case. On and after the Redemption Date, the record holder of the Warrants shall have no further rights except to receive, upon surrender of the Warrants, the Redemption Price.

 

6.4  Exclusion of Private Placement Warrants . The Company agrees that the redemption rights provided in this  Section 6  shall not apply to the Private Placement Warrants if at the time of the redemption such Private Placement Warrants continue to be held by any Sponsor or its Permitted Transferees.  However , once such Private Placement Warrants are transferred (other than to Permitted Transferees under  subsection 2.5 ), the Company may redeem the Private Placement Warrants, provided that the criteria for redemption are met, including the opportunity of the holder of such Private Placement Warrants to exercise the Private Placement Warrants prior to redemption pursuant to  Section 6.3 . Private Placement Warrants that are transferred to persons other than Permitted Transferees shall upon such transfer cease to be Private Placement Warrants and shall become Public Warrants under this Agreement.

 

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7.  Other Provisions Relating to Rights of Holders of Warrants .

 

7.1  No Rights as Shareholder . A Warrant does not entitle the Registered Holder thereof to any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right to receive dividends, or other distributions, exercise any preemptive rights to vote or to consent or to receive notice as shareholders in respect of the meetings of shareholders or the election of directors of the Company or any other matter.

 

7.2  Lost, Stolen, Mutilated, or Destroyed Warrants . If any Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed, the Company and the Warrant Agent may on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as they may in their discretion impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination, tenor, and date as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute a substitute contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated, or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

7.3  Reservation of Common Stock . The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available a number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Warrants issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

7.4  Registration of Common Stock; Cashless Exercise at Company’s Option .

 

7.4.1  Registration of the Common Stock . The Company agrees that as soon as practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days after the closing of its initial Business Combination, it shall use its best efforts to file with the Commission a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act’ ), of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the same to become effective and to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement, and a current prospectus relating thereto, until the expiration of the Warrants in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement. If any such registration statement has not been declared effective by the 90th day following the closing of the Business Combination, holders of the Warrants shall have the right, during the period beginning on the 91st day after the closing of the Business Combination and ending upon such registration statement being declared effective by the Commission, and during any other period when the Company shall fail to have maintained an effective registration statement covering the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, to exercise such Warrants on a “cashless basis,” by exchanging the Warrants (in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act or another exemption) for that number of shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product of the number of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants, multiplied by the difference between the Warrant Price and the “Fair Market Value” (as defined below) by (y) the Fair Market Value. Solely for purposes of this  subsection 7.4.1 , “Fair Market Value” shall mean the volume weighted average price of the Common Stock as reported during the ten (10) trading day period ending on the trading day prior to the date that notice of exercise is received by the Warrant Agent from the holder of such Warrants or its securities broker or intermediary. The date that notice of cashless exercise is received by the Warrant Agent shall be conclusively determined by the Warrant Agent. In connection with the “cashless exercise” of a Public Warrant, the Company shall, upon request, provide the Warrant Agent with an opinion of counsel for the Company (which shall be an outside law firm with securities law experience) stating that (i) the exercise of the Warrants on a cashless basis in accordance with this  subsection 7.4.1  is not required to be registered under the Securities Act and (ii) the shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall be freely tradable under United States federal securities laws by anyone who is not an affiliate (as such term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act) of the Company and, accordingly, shall not be required to bear a restrictive legend. Except as provided in  subsection 7.4.2 , for the avoidance of any doubt, unless and until all of the Warrants have been exercised, the Company shall continue to be obligated to comply with its registration obligations under the first three sentences of this  subsection 7.4.1 .

 

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7.4.2  Cashless Exercise at Company’s Option . If the Common Stock is at the time of any exercise of a Warrant not listed on a national securities exchange such that it satisfies the definition of a “covered security” under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act, the Company may, at its option, (i) require holders of Public Warrants who exercise Public Warrants to exercise such Public Warrants on a “cashless basis” in accordance with Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Act as described in  subsection 7.4.1  and (ii) in the event the Company so elects, the Company shall not be required to file or maintain in effect a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act, of the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary. If the Company does not elect at the time of exercise to require a holder of Public Warrants who exercises Public Warrants to exercise such Public Warrants on a “cashless basis,” it agrees to use its best efforts to register or qualify for sale the Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Public Warrant under the blue sky laws of the state of residence in those states in which the Warrants were initially offered by the Company of the exercising Public Warrant holder to the extent an exemption is not available.

 

8.  Concerning the Warrant Agent and Other Matters .

 

8.1  Payment of Taxes . The Company shall from time to time promptly pay all taxes and charges that may be imposed upon the Company or the Warrant Agent in respect of the issuance or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrants, but the Company shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in respect of the Warrants or such shares.

 

8.2  Resignation, Consolidation, or Merger of Warrant Agent .

 

8.2.1  Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent . The Warrant Agent, or any successor to it hereafter appointed, may resign its duties and be discharged from all further duties and liabilities hereunder after giving sixty (60) days’ notice in writing to the Company. If the office of the Warrant Agent becomes vacant by resignation or incapacity to act or otherwise, the Company shall appoint in writing a successor Warrant Agent in place of the Warrant Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such appointment within a period of thirty (30) days after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of a Warrant (who shall, with such notice, submit his Warrant for inspection by the Company), then the holder of any Warrant may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York for the County of New York for the appointment of a successor Warrant Agent at the Company’s cost. Any successor Warrant Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by such court, shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal office in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. After appointment, any successor Warrant Agent shall be vested with all the authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations of its predecessor Warrant Agent with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder, without any further act or deed; but if for any reason it becomes necessary or appropriate, the predecessor Warrant Agent shall execute and deliver, at the expense of the Company, an instrument transferring to such successor Warrant Agent all the authority, powers, and rights of such predecessor Warrant Agent hereunder; and upon request of any successor Warrant Agent the Company shall make, execute, acknowledge, and deliver any and all instruments in writing for more fully and effectually vesting in and confirming to such successor Warrant Agent all such authority, powers, rights, immunities, duties, and obligations.

 

8.2.2  Notice of Successor Warrant Agent . In the event a successor Warrant Agent shall be appointed, the Company shall give notice thereof to the predecessor Warrant Agent and the Transfer Agent for the Common Stock not later than the effective date of any such appointment.

 

8.2.3  Merger or Consolidation of Warrant Agent . Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent may be merged or with which it may be consolidated or any corporation resulting from any merger or consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Agreement without any further act.

 

8.3  Fees and Expenses of Warrant Agent .

 

8.3.1  Remuneration . The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and shall, pursuant to its obligations under this Agreement, reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all expenditures that the Warrant Agent may reasonably incur in the execution of its duties hereunder.

 

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8.3.2  Further Assurances . The Company agrees to perform, execute, acknowledge, and deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged, and delivered all such further and other acts, instruments, and assurances as may reasonably be required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.4  Liability of Warrant Agent .

 

8.4.1  Reliance on Company Statement . Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement, the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking or suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a statement signed by the President, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board of the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent. The Warrant Agent may rely upon such statement for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement.

 

8.4.2  Indemnity . The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Company agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent and save it harmless against any and all liabilities, including judgments, costs and reasonable counsel fees, for anything done or omitted by the Warrant Agent in the execution of this Agreement, except as a result of the Warrant Agent’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

 

8.4.3  Exclusions . The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility with respect to the validity of this Agreement or with respect to the validity or execution of any Warrant (except its countersignature thereof). The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant. The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible to make any adjustments required under the provisions of  Section 4  hereof or responsible for the manner, method, or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any shares of Common Stock shall, when issued, be valid and fully paid and nonassessable.

 

8.5  Acceptance of Agency . The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions herein set forth and among other things, shall account promptly to the Company with respect to Warrants exercised and concurrently account for, and pay to the Company, all monies received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of shares of Common Stock through the exercise of the Warrants.

 

8.6  Waiver . The Warrant Agent has no right of set-off or any other right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“ Claim ”) in, or to any distribution of, the Trust Account (as defined in that certain Investment Management Trust Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and the Warrant Agent as trustee thereunder) and hereby agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction for any Claim against the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever. The Warrant Agent hereby waives any and all Claims against the Trust Account and any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account.

 

9.  Miscellaneous Provisions .

 

9.1  Successors . All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Warrant Agent shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.

 

9.2  Notices . Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Warrant Agent or by the holder of any Warrant to or on the Company shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Company with the Warrant Agent), as follows:

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Attention: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

 

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Any notice, statement or demand authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent shall be sufficiently given when so delivered if by hand or overnight delivery or if sent by certified mail or private courier service within five (5) days after deposit of such notice, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing by the Warrant Agent with the Company), as follows:

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, NY 10004

Attention: Compliance Department

 

9.3  Applicable Law . The validity, interpretation, and performance of this Agreement and of the Warrants shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The Company hereby agrees that any action, proceeding or claim against it arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of the State of New York or the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction, which jurisdiction shall be exclusive. The Company hereby waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

 

9.4  Persons Having Rights under this Agreement . Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the parties hereto and the Registered Holders of the Warrants any right, remedy, or claim under or by reason of this Agreement or of any covenant, condition, stipulation, promise, or agreement hereof. All covenants, conditions, stipulations, promises, and agreements contained in this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns and of the Registered Holders of the Warrants.

 

9.5  Examination of the Warrant Agreement . A copy of this Agreement shall be available at all reasonable times at the office of the Warrant Agent in the Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, for inspection by the Registered Holder of any Warrant. The Warrant Agent may require any such holder to submit his Warrant for inspection by it.

 

9.6  Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

 

9.7  Effect of Headings . The section headings herein are for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the interpretation thereof.

 

9.8  Amendments . This Agreement may be amended by the parties hereto without the consent of any Registered Holder for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective provision contained herein or adding or changing any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Agreement as the parties may deem necessary or desirable and that the parties deem shall not adversely affect the interest of the Registered Holders. All other modifications or amendments, including any amendment to increase the Warrant Price or shorten the Exercise Period and any amendment to the terms of only the Private Placement Warrants, shall require the vote or written consent of the Registered Holders of 65% of the then outstanding Public Warrants. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may lower the Warrant Price or extend the duration of the Exercise Period pursuant to  Sections 3.1  and  3.2 , respectively, without the consent of the Registered Holders.

 

9.9  Severability . This Agreement shall be deemed severable, and the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or provision hereof shall not affect the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or of any other term or provision hereof. Furthermore, in lieu of any such invalid or unenforceable term or provision, the parties hereto intend that there shall be added as a part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be valid and enforceable.

 

Exhibit A — Form of Warrant Certificate

Exhibit B Legend — Sponsors’ Warrants

 

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

 

  STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.
     
  By /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Title:   co-Chief Executive Officer

 

  CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST
COMPANY, as Warrant Agent
     
  By /s/ Kevin Jennings
   

Name: Kevin Jennings

Title:   Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Warrant Agreement]

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

[Form of Warrant Certificate]

 

See Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1.

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

LEGEND

 

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. IN ADDITION, SUBJECT TO ANY ADDITIONAL LIMITATIONS ON TRANSFER DESCRIBED IN THE LETTER AGREEMENTS BY AND AMONG STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC. (THE “COMPANY”), ASTRA MARITIME CORP., DOMINIUM INVESTMENTS INC., MAGELLAN INVESTMENTS CORP., FIRMUS INVESTMENTS INC. AND THE OTHER PARTIES THERETO, THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO THE DATE THAT IS THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE UPON WHICH THE COMPANY COMPLETES ITS INITIAL BUSINESS COMBINATION (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT REFERRED TO HEREIN) EXCEPT TO A PERMITTED TRANSFEREE (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 2 OF THE WARRANT AGREEMENT) WHO AGREES IN WRITING WITH THE COMPANY TO BE SUBJECT TO SUCH TRANSFER PROVISIONS.

 

SECURITIES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE AND SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE COMPANY ISSUED UPON EXERCISE OF SUCH SECURITIES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REGISTRATION RIGHTS UNDER A REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT TO BE EXECUTED BY THE COMPANY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Management Trust Agreement (this “ Agreement ”) is made effective as of August 18, 2016 by and between Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Company ”), and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (the “ Trustee ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, No. 333-212377 (the “ Registration Statement ”) and prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) for the initial public offering of the Company’s units (the “ Units ”), each of which consists of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and one warrant, each warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one share of Common Stock (such initial public offering hereinafter referred to as the “ Offering ”), has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an Underwriting Agreement with Maxim Group LLC as representative of the several underwriters (the “ Underwriters ”) named therein (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”); and

 

WHEREAS, if a Business Combination is not consummated within the initial 12 month period following the closing of the Offering, the Company’s sponsors may extend such period by three three-month periods, up to a maximum of 21 months in the aggregate, by depositing $379,167 (or $436,042 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) into the Trust Account no later than the 12 month anniversary of the Offering, the 15 month anniversary of the Offering, or the 18 month anniversary of the Offering (each, an “ Applicable Deadline ”) for each three month extension (each, an “ Extension ”), in exchange for which they will receive promissory notes (unless accrued or withdrawn interest is applied pursuant to the terms hereof); and

 

WHEREAS, as described in the Registration Statement, $66,300,000 of the gross proceeds of the Offering and sale of the Private Placement Warrants (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) (or $76,245,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full, plus any amount eventually deposited on account of any Extension) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a segregated trust account located in the United States (the “ Trust Account ”) for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Common Stock included in the Units issued in the Offering as hereinafter provided (the amount to be delivered to the Trustee (and any interest subsequently earned thereon), including the proceeds from any loans in connection with an Extension, if any, is referred to herein as the “ Property , ” the stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be referred to as the “ Public Stockholders ,” and the Public Stockholders and the Company will be referred to together as the “ Beneficiaries ”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, a portion of the Property equal to $1,625,000, or $1,868,750 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full (in each case subject to reduction as set forth therein), is attributable to deferred underwriting discounts and commissions that may be payable by the Company to the Underwriters upon the consummation of the Business Combination (as defined below) (the “ Deferred Discount ”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth the terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the Property.

 

 

 

 

NOW THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED:

 

1.  Agreements and Covenants of Trustee . The Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Hold the Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this Agreement in the Trust Account established by the Trustee at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and at a brokerage institution selected by the Trustee that is reasonably satisfactory to the Company;

 

(b) Manage, supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein;

 

(c) In a timely manner, upon the written instruction of the Company, invest and reinvest the Property in United States government securities within the meaning of Section 2(a)(16) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, having a maturity of 180 days or less, or in money market funds meeting the conditions of paragraphs (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5) of Rule 2a-7 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which invest only in direct U.S. government treasury obligations, as determined by the Company; it being understood that the Trust Account will earn no interest while account funds are uninvested awaiting the Company’s instructions hereunder;

 

(d) Collect and receive, when due, all interest or other income arising from the Property, which shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;

 

(e) Promptly notify the Company and Maxim Group LLC of all communications received by the Trustee with respect to any Property requiring action by the Company;

 

(f) Supply any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company (or its authorized agents) in connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns relating to assets held in the Trust Account;

 

(g) Participate in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do so;

 

(h) Render to the Company monthly written statements of the activities of, and amounts in, the Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;

 

(i) Commence liquidation of the Trust Account only after and promptly after (x) receipt of, and only in accordance with, the terms of a letter from the Company (“ Termination Letter ”) in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or Exhibit B signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chairman of the board of directors (the “ Board ”) or other authorized officer of the Company, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute the Property in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of any taxes payable and working capital released to us and less up to $50,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), only as directed in the Termination Letter and the other documents referred to therein, or (y) upon the date which is 12 months after the closing of the Offering (or 15, 18, or 21 months after the closing of the Offering, if extended), if a Termination Letter has not been received by the Trustee prior to such date, in which case the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B and the Property in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of any taxes payable and working capital released to us and less up to $50,000 of interest that may be released to the Company to pay dissolution expenses), shall be distributed to the Public Stockholders of record as of such date; provided, however, that in the event the Trustee receives a Termination Letter in a form substantially similar to Exhibit B hereto, or if the Trustee begins to liquidate the Property because it has received no such Termination Letter by the date which is 12 months after the closing of this Offering (or 15, 18, or 21 months after the closing of the Offering, if extended), the Trustee shall keep the Trust Account open until 12 months following the date the Property has been distributed to the Public Stockholders;

 

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(j) Upon written request from the Company, which may be given from time to time in a form substantially similar to that attached hereto as Exhibit C (a “ Withdrawal Instruction ”), withdraw from the Trust Account and distribute to the Company the amount of interest earned on the Property requested by the Company to cover any tax obligation owed by the Company as a result of assets of the Company or interest or other income earned on the Property or for working capital purposes (including repayment of loans made to the Company by the Company’s sponsors or application of withdrawn or accrued interest to the sponsors’ obligation to loan the Company money in connection with an extension), which amount shall be delivered directly to the Company by electronic funds transfer or other method of prompt payment, and the Company shall forward such payment to the relevant taxing authority;  provided however , that to the extent there is not sufficient cash in the Trust Account to pay such tax obligation, the Trustee shall liquidate such assets held in the Trust Account as shall be designated by the Company in writing to make such distribution; so long as there is no reduction in the principal amount initially deposited in the Trust Account;  provided however , that if the tax to be paid is a franchise tax, the written request by the Company to make such distribution shall be accompanied by a copy of the franchise tax bill from the Republic of Marshall Islands for the Company and a written statement from the principal financial officer of the Company setting forth the actual amount payable (it being acknowledged and agreed that any such amount in excess of interest income earned on the Property shall not be payable from the Trust Account). The written request of the Company referenced above shall constitute presumptive evidence that the Company is entitled to said funds, and the Trustee shall have no responsibility to look beyond said request; 

 

(k) Not make any withdrawals or distributions from the Trust Account other than pursuant to Section 1(i) or (j) above; and

 

(l) Upon receipt of an extension letter (“ Extension Letter ”) substantially similar to Exhibit D hereto at least five business days prior to the Applicable Deadline, signed on behalf of the Company by an executive officer, and receipt of the dollar amount specified in the Extension Letter on or prior to the Applicable Deadline, to follow the instructions set forth in the Extension Letter.

 

2.  Agreements and Covenants of the Company . The Company hereby agrees and covenants to:

 

(a) Give all instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. In addition, except with respect to its duties under  Sections 1(i) 1(j)  and 1(m) hereof, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction which it, in good faith and with reasonable care, believes to be given by any one of the persons authorized above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly confirm such instructions in writing;

 

(b) Subject to Section 4 hereof, hold the Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against any and all expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or losses suffered by the Trustee in connection with any action taken by it hereunder and in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim or demand, which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any interest earned on the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification under this  Section 2(b) , it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim (hereinafter referred to as the “ Indemnified Claim ”). The Trustee shall have the right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim;  provided  that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Trustee may not agree to settle any Indemnified Claim without the prior written consent of the Company, which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;

 

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(c) Pay the Trustee the fees set forth on Schedule A hereto, including an initial acceptance fee, annual administration fee, and transaction processing fee which fees shall be subject to modification by the parties from time to time. It is expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such fees unless and until it is distributed to the Company pursuant to  Sections 1(i)  through  1(j)  hereof. The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and the first annual administration fee at the consummation of the Offering. The Trustee shall refund to the Company the monthly fee (on a pro rata basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation of the Trust Account. The Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee except as set forth in this  Section 2(c)  and as may be provided in  Section 2(b)  hereof;

 

(d) In connection with any vote of the Company’s stockholders regarding a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination involving the Company and one or more businesses (a “Business Combination”), provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a designated Inspector of Elections from a firm regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies and/or tabulating stockholder votes for stockholder meetings verifying the vote of the Company’s stockholders regarding such Business Combination;

 

(e) Provide Maxim Group LLC with a copy of any Termination Letter(s) and/or any other correspondence that is sent to the Trustee with respect to any proposed withdrawal from the Trust Account promptly after it issues the same;

 

(f) Instruct the Trustee to make only those distributions that are permitted under this Agreement, and refrain from instructing the Trustee to make any distributions that are not permitted under this Agreement;

 

(g) Within four (4) business days after the Underwriters exercise the over-allotment option (or any unexercised portion thereof) or such over-allotment expires, provide the Trustee with a notice in writing of the total amount of the Deferred Discount, which shall in no event be less than $1,625,000;

 

(h) If applicable, issue a press release at least three days prior to the Applicable Deadline announcing that, at least five days prior to the Applicable Deadline, the Company received notice from the Company’s sponsors that the sponsors intend to extend the Applicable Deadline;

 

(i) Promptly following the Applicable Deadline, disclose whether or not the term the Company has to consummate a Business Combination has been extended;

 

(j) Not, by amendment of its amended and restated articles of incorporation, bylaws or other agreement, through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, scheme of arrangement, dissolution, issue or sale of securities, or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of the rights of the Public Stockholders, and will at all times in good faith carry out all of the provisions described in the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation, herein and in any other agreement described in the Registration Statement, in each case, as of the date hereof, and take all action as may be required to protect the rights of the Public Stockholders. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company will not impair the redemption rights of the Public Stockholders as described in its amended and restated articles of incorporation and in the Registration Statement, in each case, as of the date hereof, through the amendment of the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation or any of the agreements or arrangements described herein or otherwise, and the Company will ensure that the Public Stockholders shall at all times be granted the redemption rights as described in the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation, herein and in the Registration Statement, in each case, as of the date hereof.

 

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(k) Upon receiving the written request of a Public Stockholder to do so at any time after the date hereof, provide such Public Stockholder with a copy of any instruction provided to the Trustee pursuant to Section 1(i) or Section 1(j) along with any Notification (as defined in Exhibit A), Instruction Letter (as defined in Exhibit A),  applicable flow of funds memorandum (or similar document), or any other notice delivered to the Trustee by the Company regarding the disbursement of Property from the Trust Account resulting in the Property left in the Trust Account being less than $66,300,000 (or $76,245,000 if the Underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) plus any amount eventually deposited on account of any Extension, which, in each case, shall specify to whom the Property shall be disbursed (such written notice, a " Disbursement Notice " and the date such Public Shareholder receives a Disbursement Notice, a " Disbursement Notice Date "). Each Disbursement Notice shall be delivered to such Public Shareholder at least two business days prior to the disbursement of any Property pursuant to Section 1(i) or Section 1(j) and no Property shall be disbursed from the Trust Account prior to the date that is two business days from the applicable Disbursement Notice Date.

 

3.  Limitations of Liability . The Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:

 

(a) Imply obligations, perform duties, inquire or otherwise be subject to the provisions of any agreement or document other than this agreement and that which is expressly set forth herein;

 

(b) Take any action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in Section 1 hereof, and the Trustee shall have no liability to any party except for liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct;

 

(c) Institute any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from, or institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to, any of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from the Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have advanced or guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident thereto;

 

(d) Refund any depreciation in principal of any Property;

 

(e) Assume that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation, or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such authority to the Trustee;

 

(f) The other parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or any action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the Trustee’s best judgment, except for the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including counsel chosen by the Trustee, which counsel may be the Company’s counsel), statement, instrument, report or other paper or document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness of its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information therein contained) which the Trustee believes, in good faith and with reasonable care, to be genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification, termination or rescission of this Agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee, signed by the proper party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected, unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;

 

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(g) Verify the accuracy of the information contained in the Registration Statement;

 

(h) Provide any assurance that any Business Combination entered into by the Company or any other action taken by the Company is as contemplated by the Registration Statement;

 

(i) File information returns with respect to the Trust Account with any local, state or federal taxing authority or provide periodic written statements to the Company documenting the taxes payable by the Company, if any, relating to any interest income earned on the Property;

 

(j) Prepare, execute and file tax reports, income or other tax returns and pay any taxes with respect to any income generated by, and activities relating to, the Trust Account, regardless of whether such tax is payable by the Trust Account or the Company, including, but not limited to, income tax obligations, except pursuant to Section 1(j) hereof; or

 

(k) Verify calculations, qualify or otherwise approve the Company’s written requests for distributions pursuant to Sections 1(i) and 1(j) hereof.

 

4.  Trust Account Waiver . The Trustee has no right of set-off or any right, title, interest or claim of any kind (“ Claim ”) to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account, and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim to, or to any monies in, the Trust Account that it may have now or in the future. In the event the Trustee has any Claim against the Company under this Agreement, including, without limitation, under  Section 2(b)  or  Section 2(c)  hereof, the Trustee shall pursue such Claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Property or any monies in the Trust Account.

 

5.  Termination . This Agreement shall terminate as follows:

 

(a) If the Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under this Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor trustee, pending which the Trustee shall continue to act in accordance with this Agreement. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor trustee has been appointed and has agreed to become subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of the Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account, whereupon this Agreement shall terminate;  provided however , that in the event that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety (90) days of receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit an application to have the Property deposited with any court in the State of New York or with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee shall be immune from any liability whatsoever; or

 

(b) At such time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account and its obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1(i) hereof (which section may not be amended under any circumstances) and distributed the Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Section 2(b).

 

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6.  Miscellaneous .

 

(a) The Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from the Trust Account. The Company and the Trustee will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained access to such confidential information, or of any change in its authorized personnel. In executing funds transfers, the Trustee shall rely upon all information supplied to it by the Company, including, account names, account numbers, and all other identifying information relating to a Beneficiary, Beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank. Except for any liability arising out of the Trustee’s gross negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense resulting from any error in the information or transmission of the funds.

 

(b) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. This Agreement may be executed in several original or facsimile counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an original, and together shall constitute but one instrument.

 

(c) This Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. Except for  Sections 1(i)  and 1(m) hereof (which may not be modified, amended or deleted without the affirmative vote of sixty five percent (65%) of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock; provided that no such amendment will affect any Public Stockholder who has otherwise indicated his election to redeem his shares of Common Stock in connection with a stockholder vote sought to amend this Agreement), this Agreement or any provision hereof may only be changed, amended or modified (other than to correct a typographical error) by a writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

(d) The parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal court located in the City of New York, State of New York, for purposes of resolving any disputes hereunder. AS TO ANY CLAIM, CROSS-CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

(e) Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or by facsimile or electronic mail transmission:

 

if to the Trustee, to:

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Steven G. Nelson or Sharmin Carter

Fax No.: (212) 509-5150

 

if to the Company, to:

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

Attn: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Fax No.: 30 (210) 876-4877

 

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in each case, with copies to:

 

Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10105

Attn: Stuart Neuhauser, Esq.

Fax No.: (212) 370-7889

 

and

Maxim Group LLC

405 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10174

Attn: Larry Glassberg

Fax No.: (212) 895-3783

 

and

Loeb & Loeb LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154

Attn: Mitchell S. Nussbaum

Fax No.: (212) 407-4990

 

(f) This Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior consent of the Company.

 

(g) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby represents that it has the full right and power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds in the Trust Account under any circumstance.

 

(h) This Agreement is the joint product of the Trustee and the Company and each provision hereof has been subject to the mutual consultation, negotiation and agreement of such parties and shall not be construed for or against any party hereto.

 

(i) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of a signed counterpart of this Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute valid and sufficient delivery thereof.

 

(j) Each of the Company and the Trustee hereby acknowledges and agrees that Maxim Group LLC on behalf of the Underwriters, is a third party beneficiary of this Agreement and that the Public Stockholders are third party beneficiaries of Section 3(j) and 3(k) hereof.

 

(k) Except as specified herein, no party to this Agreement may assign its rights or delegate its obligations hereunder to any other person or entity.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have duly executed this Investment Management Trust Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Trustee
     
  By: /s/Sharmin Carter
   

Name: Sharmin Carter

Title:    Vice President, Controller

 

  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
     
  By: /s/Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
   

Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Title:   co-Chief Executive Officer

 

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SCHEDULE A

 

Fee Item   Time and method of payment   Amount  
Initial set-up fee.   Initial closing of Offering by wire transfer.   $ 1,500  
Trustee administration fee   Payable annually. First year fee payable, at initial closing of Offering by wire transfer, thereafter by wire transfer or check.   $ 10,000  
Transaction processing fee for disbursements to Company under Sections 1(i) and 1(j)   Deduction by Trustee from accumulated income following disbursement made to Company under Section 1   $ 250  
Paying Agent services as required pursuant to Section 1(i)   Billed to Company upon delivery of service pursuant to Section 1(i)     Prevailing rates  

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Steven G. Nelson or Frank Di Paolo

 

  Re: Trust Account No.      Termination Letter

 

Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to  Section 1(i)  of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (“ Company ”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“ Trustee ”), dated as of August 18, 2016 (“ Trust Agreement ”), this is to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement with ____________ (“ Target Business ”) to consummate a business combination with Target Business (“ Business Combination ”) on or about [insert date] . The Company shall notify you at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the actual date of the consummation of the Business Combination (“ Consummation Date ”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence to liquidate all of the assets of the Trust Account on  [insert date] , and to transfer the proceeds into the trust checking account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of funds held in the Trust Account will be immediately available for transfer to the account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation Date. It is acknowledged and agreed that while the funds are on deposit in the trust checking account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. awaiting distribution, the Company will not earn any interest or dividends.

 

On the Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written notification that the Business Combination has been consummated, or will be consummated concurrently with your transfer of funds to the accounts as directed by the Company (the “ Notification ”) and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you (a) a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer, which verifies that the Business Combination has been approved by a vote of the Company’s stockholders, if a vote is held and (b) joint written instruction signed by the Company and Maxim Group LLC with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account, including payment of the Deferred Discount from the Trust Account (the “ Instruction Letter ”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the Notification and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust Account may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will notify the Company in writing of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such funds should remain in the Trust Account and be distributed after the Consummation Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, net of any payments necessary for reasonable unreimbursed expenses related to liquidating the Trust Account, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

 

In the event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation Date described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before the original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then upon receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Company, the funds held in the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in Section 1(c) of the Trust Agreement on the business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in the notice as soon thereafter as possible.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

cc: Maxim Group LLC

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Steven G. Nelson or Frank Di Paolo

 

  Re: Trust Account No.      Termination Letter

 

Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to  Section 1(i)  of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (“ Company ”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“ Trustee ”), dated as of August 18, 2016 (“ Trust Agreement ”), this is to advise you that the Company has been unable to effect a business combination with a Target Business (“ Business Combination ”) within the time frame specified in the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as described in the Company’s Prospectus relating to the Offering. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to liquidate all of the assets in the Trust Account on [●], 20__ and to transfer the total proceeds into the trust checking account at JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. to await distribution to the Public Stockholders. The Company has selected [●], 20__, as the record date for the purpose of determining the Public Stockholders entitled to receive their share of the liquidation proceeds. You agree to be the Paying Agent of record and, in your separate capacity as Paying Agent, agree to distribute said funds directly to the Company’s Public Stockholders in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds, your obligations under the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
     
  By:  
    Name:
    Title:

 

cc: Maxim Group LLC

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, New York 10004

Attn: Cynthia Jordan, Vice President

 

  Re: Trust Account No.      Withdrawal Instruction

 

Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to  Section 1(j)  of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (“ Company ”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“ Trustee ”), dated as of August 18, 2016 (“ Trust Agreement ”), the Company hereby requests that you deliver to the Company $[●] of the interest income earned on the Property as of the date hereof. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement.

 

The Company needs such funds [to pay for the tax obligations as set forth on the attached tax return or tax statement] [for working capital purposes]. In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, you are hereby directed and authorized to transfer (via wire transfer) such funds promptly upon your receipt of this letter to the Company’s operating account at:

 

[WIRE INSTRUCTION INFORMATION]

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
     
  By:     
    Name:
    Title:

 

cc: Maxim Group LLC 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[Letterhead of Company]

 

[Insert date]

 

Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company

17 Battery Place

New York, New York 10004

Attn:  Steven Nelson and Frank Di Paolo

 

  Re: Trust Account No. [     ] Extension Letter

 

Gentlemen:

 

Pursuant to Section 1(l) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (“ Company ”) and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, dated as of August 18, 2016 (“Trust Agreement”), this is to advise you that the Company is extending the time available in order to consummate a Business Combination with the Target Businesses for an additional three (3) months, from _______ to _________ (the “ Extension ”).

 

This Extension Letter shall serve as the notice required with respect to Extension prior to the Applicable Deadline. Capitalized words used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Trust Agreement.

 

In accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to (i) deposit [$376,167 (or $436,042 if the underwriters’ over-allotment option was exercised in full)], which will be wired to you, into the Trust Account investments upon receipt and (ii) apply [           ] of accrued interest held in the trust account toward the obligation of the Company’s sponsors to lend the Company $376,167 (or $436,042) in connection with such extension.

 

This is the ____ of up to three Extension Letters.

  

  Very truly yours,
   
  STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.
     
  By:                                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

cc: Maxim Group LLC

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of August 18, 2016, is made and entered into by and among Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Company ”), Astra Maritime Corp., Dominium Investments Inc., Magellan Investments Corp. and Firmus Investments Inc. (the “ Sponsors ”), and the undersigned parties listed under Holders on the signature page hereto (each such party, together with the Sponsors and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to  Section 5.2  of this Agreement, a “ Holder ” and collectively the “ Holders ”).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS , the Company and certain officers of the Company have entered into that certain Securities Subscription Agreement (the “ Founder Shares Purchase Agreement ”), dated as of January 29, 2016, pursuant to which such officers purchased an aggregate of 2,170,161 (as adjusted for share cancellation) shares (283,064 of which are subject to forfeiture) (the “ Founder Shares ”) of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”); and

 

WHEREAS ,   the Sponsors, and certain of the officers, director nominees and advisors of the Company entered into that certain Securities Assignment Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2016, pursuant to which certain officers of the Company transferred an aggregate of 1,150,000 Founder Shares (as adjusted for share cancellation) to the Sponsors and certain director nominees and certain initial shareholders of the Company for an aggregate purchase price of $12,500.00; and

 

WHEREAS , on August 12, 2016, the Company and the Sponsors entered into that certain Second Amended and Restated Sponsors Warrants Purchase Agreement (the “ Private Placement Warrants Purchase Agreement ”), pursuant to which the Sponsors agreed to purchase 7,650,000 warrants (or up to 8,430,000 warrants if the underwriters’ over-allotment option is exercised in full) (the “ Private Placement Warrants ”), in a private placement transaction occurring simultaneously with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering; and

 

WHEREAS , the Company and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

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

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

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

 

Adverse Disclosure ” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or principal financial officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

Agreement ” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

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

 

 

 

Business Combination ” shall mean any merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses, involving the Company.

 

Commission ” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

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

 

Company ” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Demand Registration ” shall have the meaning given in  subsection 2.1.1 .

 

Demanding Holder ” shall have the meaning given in  subsection 2.1.1 .

 

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

 

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

 

Form S-3 ” shall have the meaning given in  subsection 2.3 .

 

Founder Lock-up Period ” shall mean, with respect to the Founder Shares, the period ending on the earlier of one year after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination or earlier if, subsequent to the Business Combination, the last sale price of the Common Stock (x) equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Company’s initial Business Combination or (y) the date following the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property, except in each case (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any members of any Sponsor, or any affiliates of such person or any Sponsor, (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of one of the members of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the shares were originally purchased; or (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to its completion of its initial Business Combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions.

 

Founder Shares ” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Founder Shares Purchase Agreement ” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Holders ” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble.

 

Maximum Number of Securities ” shall have the meaning given in  subsection 2.1.4 .

 

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

 

Permitted Transferees ” shall mean a person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Founder Lock-up Period or Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, under this Agreement and any letter agreement with the Company and to any transferee thereafter.

  

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

 

Private Placement Lock-up Period ” shall mean, with respect to Private Placement Warrants that are held by the initial purchasers of such Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, and any of the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of the Private Placement Warrants and that are held by the initial purchasers of the Private Placement Warrants or their Permitted Transferees, the period ending 30 days after the completion of the Company’s initial Business Combination except in each case for transfers (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any members of any Sponsor, or any affiliates of such person or any Sponsor, (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of one of the members of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to its completion of its initial Business Combination; or (g) in the event of the Company’s completion of a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of common stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Company’s completion of its initial Business Combination; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (e) these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Prospectus Date ” shall mean the date of the final prospectus filed with the Commission and relating to the Company’s initial public offering.

 

 “ Registrable Security ” shall mean (a) the Founder Shares, (b) the Private Placement Warrants (including any shares of the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement Warrants), (c) any outstanding share of the Common Stock or any other equity security (including the shares of the Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (d) any equity securities (including the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any such equity security) of the Company issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans made to the Company by a Holder, and (e) any other equity security of the Company issued or issuable with respect to any such share of the Common Stock by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization;  provided however , that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (B) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations); or (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(F) reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Registration.

 

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

 

Requesting Holder ” shall have the meaning given in  subsection 2.1.1 .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

UPO ” shall mean that certain Unit Purchase Option to be granted to the Underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering, and their designees, on or about August 24, 2016.

 

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ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS

 

2.1  Demand Registration .

 

2.1.1  Request for Registration . Subject to the provisions of  subsection 2.1.4  and  Section 2.4  hereof, at any time and from time to time on or after the date the Company consummates the Business Combination, the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the then outstanding number of Registrable Securities (the “ Demanding Holders ”) may make a written demand for Registration under the Securities Act of all or part of their Registrable Securities, which written demand shall describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such Registration and the intended method(s) of distribution thereof (such written demand a “ Demand Registration ”). The Company shall, within ten (10) days of the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration, a “ Requesting Holder ”) shall so notify the Company, in writing, within five (5) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. Upon receipt by the Company of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s) to the Company, such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their Registrable Securities included in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration and the Company shall effect, as soon thereafter as practicable, but not more than forty five (45) days immediately after the Company’s receipt of the Demand Registration, the Registration of all Registrable Securities requested by the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders pursuant such the Demand Registration. Under no circumstances shall the Company be obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Registrations pursuant to a Demand Registration under this  subsection 2.1.1  with respect to any or all Registrable Securities;  provided however , that a Registration shall not be counted for such purposes unless a Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“ Form S-1 ”) has become effective and all of the Registrable Securities requested by the Requesting Holders to be registered on behalf of the Requesting Holders in such Form S-1 Registration have been sold, in accordance with  Section 3.1  of this Agreement.

 

2.1.2  Effective Registration . Notwithstanding the provisions of  subsection 2.1.1  above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (i) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (ii) the Company has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto;  provided further , that if, after such Registration Statement has been declared effective, an offering of Registrable Securities in a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration is subsequently interfered with by any stop order or injunction of the Commission, federal or state court or any other governmental agency the Registration Statement with respect to such Registration shall be deemed not to have been declared effective, unless and until, (i) such stop order or injunction is removed, rescinded or otherwise terminated, and (ii) a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Demand Registration thereafter affirmatively elect to continue with such Registration and accordingly notify the Company in writing, but in no event later than three (3) days, of such election;  provided further , that the Company shall not be obligated or required to file another Registration Statement until the Registration Statement that has been previously filed with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration becomes effective or is subsequently terminated.

 

2.1.3  Underwritten Offering . Subject to the provisions of  subsection 2.1.4  and  Section 2.4  hereof, if a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders so advise the Company as part of their Demand Registration that the offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten Offering, then the right of such Demanding Holder or Requesting Holder (if any) to include its Registrable Securities in such Registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such Underwritten Offering and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering to the extent provided herein. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this  subsection 2.1.3  shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating the Demand Registration.

 

2.1.4  Reduction of Underwritten Offering . If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and the Common Stock, if any, as to which a Registration has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “ Maximum Number of Securities ”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (i) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Registration and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Registration (such proportion is referred to herein as “ Pro Rata ”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders (Pro Rata, based on the respective number or Registrable Securities that each Holder has so requested exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to  subsection 2.2.1  hereof, without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), the Common Stock or other equity securities registrable pursuant to the terms of the UPO (such securities, the “ Option Securities ”) as to which “piggy-back” registration has been requested by the holders thereof; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), the Common Stock or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (v) fifth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), the Common Stock or other equity securities of other persons or entities that the Company is obligated to register in a Registration pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

4

 

 

2.1.5  Demand Registration Withdrawal . A majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating a Demand Registration or a majority-in-interest of the Requesting Holders (if any), pursuant to a Registration under  subsection 2.1.1  shall have the right to withdraw from a Registration pursuant to such Demand Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to the Registration of their Registrable Securities pursuant to such Demand Registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration prior to its withdrawal under this  subsection 2.1.5 .

 

2.2  Piggyback Registration .

 

2.2.1  Piggyback Rights . If, at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination, the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, pursuant to  Section 2.1  hereof), other than a Registration Statement (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) for an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to the Company’s existing stockholders, (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company or (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed filing to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such Registration a “  Piggyback Registration ”). The Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this  subsection 2.2.1  shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Company.

 

5

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

2.2.3  Piggyback Registration Withdrawal . Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this  subsection 2.2.3 .

 

2.2.4  Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights . For purposes of clarity, any Registration effected pursuant to  Section 2.2  hereof shall not be counted as a Registration pursuant to a Demand Registration effected under  Section 2.1  hereof.

 

2.3  Registrations on Form S-3 . The Holders of Registrable Securities may at any time, and from time to time, request in writing that the Company, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), register the resale of any or all of their Registrable Securities on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement that may be available at such time (“ Form S-3 ”);  provided however , that the Company shall not be obligated to effect such request through an Underwritten Offering. Within five (5) days of the Company’s receipt of a written request from a Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall promptly give written notice of the proposed Registration on Form S-3 to all other Holders of Registrable Securities, and each Holder of Registrable Securities who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Registration on Form S-3 shall so notify the Company, in writing, within ten (10) days after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from the Company. As soon as practicable thereafter, but not more than twelve (12) days after the Company’s initial receipt of such written request for a Registration on Form S-3, the Company shall register all or such portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities as are specified in such written request, together with all or such portion of Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in the written notification given by such Holder or Holders;  provided however , that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such Registration pursuant to  Section 2.3  hereof if (i) a Form S-3 is not available for such offering; or (ii) the Holders of Registrable Securities, together with the Holders of any other equity securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Registration, propose to sell the Registrable Securities and such other equity securities (if any) at any aggregate price to the public of less than $5,000,000.

 

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2.4  Restrictions on Registration Rights . If (A) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company initiated Registration and provided that the Company has delivered written notice to the Holders prior to receipt of a Demand Registration pursuant to  subsection 2.1.1  and it continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to cause the applicable Registration Statement to become effective; (B) the Holders have requested an Underwritten Registration and the Company and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offer; or (C) in the good faith judgment of the Board such Registration would be seriously detrimental to the Company and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement at such time, then in each case the Company shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to the Company for such Registration Statement to be filed in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement. In such event, the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than thirty (30) days;  provided however , that the Company shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any 12-month period.

 

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

 

3.1  General Procedures . If at any time on or after the date the Company consummates a Business Combination the Company is required to effect the Registration of Registrable Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel;

 

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

 

3.1.10 permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration;  provided however , that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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3.1.15 if the Registration involves the Registration of Registrable Securities involving gross proceeds in excess of $25,000,000, use its reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in any Underwritten Offering; and

 

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

 

3.2  Registration Expenses . The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

3.3  Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings . No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

3.4  Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure . Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. The Company shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this  Section 3.4 .

 

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

 

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ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

 

4.1  Indemnification .

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

 

5.1  Notices . Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed to the Company at 700 Louisiana Street, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77002 and to the Holder, at such Holder’s address as found in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this  Section 5.1 .

 

5.2  Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries .

 

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

 

5.2.2 Prior to the expiration of the Founder Lock-up Period or the Private Placement Lock-up Period, as the case may be, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee, but only if such Permitted Transferee agrees to become bound by the transfer restrictions set forth in this Agreement and other applicable letter agreements.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5.4  Governing Law; Venue . NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

 

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

 

5.6  Other Registration Rights . The Company represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities or the UPO, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

5.7  Term . This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (ii) the date as of which (A) all of the Registrable Securities have been sold pursuant to a Registration Statement (but in no event prior to the applicable period referred to in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act and Rule 174 thereunder) or (B) the Holders of all Registrable Securities are permitted to sell the Registrable Securities under Rule 144 (or any similar provision) under the Securities Act without limitation on the amount of securities sold or the manner of sale. The provisions of  Section 3.5  and  Article IV  shall survive any termination.

 

 [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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

 

COMPANY:  
   

STELLAR ACQUISTION III INC.

a Marshall Islands corporation

 
     
By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
  Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
  Title:   Co-Chief Executive Officer  

 

HOLDERS:

 

ASTRA MARITIME CORP.  
     
By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
 

Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Title:   President

 

 

DOMINIUM INVESTMENTS INC.     
   
/s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  

Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Title:   President

 

 

MAGELLAN INVESTMENTS CORP.

 
   
/s/ George Syllantavos  

Name: George Syllantavos

Title:   President

 

 

FIRMUS INVESTMENTS INC.     
   
/s/ George Syllantavos  

Name: George Syllantavos

Title:   President

 

 

By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
  Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  

 

By: /s/ George Syllantavos  
  George Syllantavos  

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By: /s/ Alexandros Argyros  
  Alexandros Argyros  

 

By: /s/ Tiziano Paravagna  
  Tiziano Paravagna  

 

By: /s/ Eleonora (Liona) Bacha  
  Eleonora (Liona) Bacha  

 

By: /s/ Nikolas Tsirigakis  
  Nikolas Tsirigakis  

 

By: /s/ Nicolas Bornozis  
  Nicolas Bornozis  

 

By: /s/ Stylianos Anastopoulos  
  Stylianos Anastopoulos  

 

CENTARUS METAL CORP.     
   
/s/Anastasios Chrysostomidis  

Name: Anastasios Chrysostomidis

Title:   Director

 

 

[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]

 

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

August 18, 2016

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc. 

90 Kifissias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

  

Re: Initial Public Offering

 

Gentlemen:

 

This letter (this “ Letter Agreement ”) is being delivered to you in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement (the “ Underwriting Agreement ”) proposed to be entered into by and between Stellar Acquisition III Inc., a Marshall Islands corporation (the “ Company ”), and Maxim Group LLC, as representative of the several underwriters named therein (the “ Underwriters ”), relating to an underwritten initial public offering (the “ Public Offering ”), of 6,500,000 of the Company’s units (the “ Units ”), each Unit comprised of one share of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), and one warrant (each, a “ Warrant ”). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of the Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The Units shall be sold in the Public Offering pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 and prospectus (the “ Prospectus ”) filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Commission ”) and the Company shall apply to have the Units listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in paragraph 11 hereof.

 

In order to induce the Company and the Underwriters to enter into the Underwriting Agreement and to proceed with the Public Offering and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Astra Maritime Corp., Dominium Investments Inc., Magellan Investments Corp. and Firmus Investments Inc. (each, a “ Sponsor ” and collectively, the “ Sponsors ”) and the undersigned individuals, each of whom is a director, officer or initial shareholder to the Company (each, an “ Insider ” and collectively, the “ Insiders ”), hereby agrees with the Company as follows:

 

1. Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees that if the Company seeks shareholder approval of a proposed Business Combination, then in connection with such proposed Business Combination, it, he or she shall (i) vote any shares of Common Stock owned by it, him or her in favor of such proposed Business Combination and (ii) not redeem any shares of Common Stock owned by it, him or her in connection with such shareholder approval. Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees not to tender any Shares of Common Stock in connection with a tender offer conducted in conjunction with a Business Combination.

 

2. Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees that in the event that the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) within 12 months from the date of the closing of the Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination in accordance with the Company’s amended and restated articles of incorporation (the “ Charter ”)), or such later period approved by the Company’s shareholders in accordance with the Charter, the Sponsors and Insiders shall take all reasonable steps to cause the Company to (i) cease all operations except for the purpose of winding up, (ii) as promptly as reasonably possible but not more than 10 business days thereafter, subject to lawfully available funds therefor, redeem 100% of the Common Stock sold as part of the Units in the Public Offering (the “ Offering Shares ”), at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the Trust Account, including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Company, including repayment from interest of loans made to the Company by the Sponsors or application of withdrawn or accrued interest to the Sponsors’ obligation to loan the Company money in connection with an extension as described in the Charter, and less up to $50,000 of interest to pay dissolution expenses), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares, which redemption will completely extinguish Public Shareholders’ rights as shareholders (including the right to receive further liquidation distributions, if any), subject to applicable law, and (iii) as promptly as reasonably possible following such redemption, subject to the approval of the Company’s remaining shareholders and the Company’s board of directors, dissolve and liquidate, subject in each case to the Company’s obligations under Marshall Islands law to provide for claims of creditors and other requirements of applicable law. Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees not to propose any amendment to the Charter that would affect the substance or timing of the Company’s obligation to redeem 100% of the Offering Shares if the Company does not complete a Business Combination within 12 months from the closing of the Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination in accordance with the Charter), unless the Company provides its public shareholders with the opportunity to redeem their shares of Common Stock upon approval of any such amendment at a per-share price, payable in cash, equal to the aggregate amount then on deposit in the trust account including interest (which interest shall be net of taxes payable and working capital released to the Company), divided by the number of then outstanding public shares.

 

 

 

 

Each Sponsor and each Insider acknowledges that it, he or she has no right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies held in the Trust Account or any other asset of the Company as a result of any liquidation of the Company with respect to the Founder Shares. Each Sponsor and each Insider further waives, with respect to any shares of the Common Stock held by it, him or her, if any, any redemption rights it, he or she may have in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination, including, without limitation, any such rights available in the context of a shareholder vote to approve such Business Combination or in the context of a tender offer made by the Company to purchase shares of the Common Stock (although the Sponsors and Insiders shall be entitled to redemption and liquidation rights with respect to any shares of the Common Stock (other than the Founder Shares) they hold if the Company fails to consummate a Business Combination within 12 months from the date of the closing of the Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination in accordance with the Charter).

 

3. Subject to the provisions set forth in paragraphs 7(a) and (b) below, during the period commencing on the effective date of the Underwriting Agreement and ending 180 days after such date, each Sponsor and each Insider shall not (i) sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, file (or participate in the filing of) a registration statement with the Commission or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, with respect to any Units, shares of Common Stock, Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock owned by it, if any, (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any Units, shares of Common Stock, Warrants or any securities convertible into, or exercisable, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock owned by it, if any, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to the registration of the offer and sale of Units contemplated by the Underwriting Agreement and the sale of the Units to the Underwriters. Each Sponsor and each Insider acknowledges and agrees that, prior to the effective date of any release or waiver, of the restrictions set forth in this paragraph 3 or paragraph 7 below, the Company shall announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (i) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer of securities that is not for consideration and (ii) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Letter Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

 

4. In the event of the liquidation of the Trust Account, Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis and George Syllantavos (the “ Indemnitors ”) agree to jointly indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, whether pending or threatened, or any claim whatsoever) to which the Company may become subject as a result of any claim by (i) any third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company or (ii) a prospective target business with which the Company has entered into an acquisition agreement (a “ Target ”);  provided however , that such indemnification of the Company by the Indemnitors shall apply only to the extent necessary to ensure that such claims by a third party for services rendered or products sold to the Company or a Target do not reduce the amount of funds in the Trust Account to below (i) $10.20 per Offering Share (or up to $10.374 per Offering Share if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination in accordance with the Charter) or (ii) such lesser amount per share of the Offering Shares held in the Trust Account due to reductions in the value of the trust assets as of the date of the liquidation of the Trust Account, in each case, net of the amount of interest earned on the property in the Trust Account which may be withdrawn to pay taxes and for working capital purposes, except as to any claims by a third party who executed a waiver of any and all rights to seek access to the Trust Account and except as to any claims under the Company’s indemnity of the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In the event that any such executed waiver is deemed to be unenforceable against such third party, the Indemnitors shall not be responsible to the extent of any liability for such third party claim. The Indemnitors shall have the right to defend against any such claim with counsel of their choice reasonably satisfactory to the Company if, within 15 days following written receipt of notice of the claim to the Indemnitors, the Indemnitors notify the Company in writing that they shall undertake such defense.

 

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5. To the extent that the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option to purchase an additional 975,000 Units within 45 days from the date of the Prospectus (and as further described in the Prospectus), the Sponsors and Insiders agree that they shall forfeit, at no cost, a number of Founder Shares in the aggregate equal to 283,064 multiplied by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is 975,000 minus the number of Units purchased by the Underwriters upon the exercise of their over-allotment option, and (ii) the denominator of which is 975,000. The forfeiture will be adjusted to the extent that the over-allotment option is not exercised in full by the Underwriters so that the shareholders prior to the Public Offering will own an aggregate of 22.5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock after the Public Offering (not including shares issued to the Underwriters). The Sponsors and Insiders further agree that to the extent that the size of the Public Offering is increased or decreased, the Company will purchase or sell shares of Common Stock or effect a stock dividend or share contribution back to capital, as applicable, immediately prior to the consummation of the Public Offering in such amount as to maintain the ownership of the shareholders prior to the Public Offering at 22.5% of its issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock upon the consummation of the Public Offering (not including shares issued to the Underwriters). In connection with such increase or decrease in the size of the Public Offering, then (A) the references to 975,000 in the numerator and denominator of the formula in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be changed to a number equal to 15% of the number of shares included in the Units issued in the Public Offering and (B) the reference to 283,064 in the formula set forth in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be adjusted to such number of shares of the Common Stock that the Sponsors and Insiders would have to return to the Company in order to hold an aggregate of 22.5% of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares after the Public Offering (not including shares issued to the Underwriters).

 

6. (a) Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees not to participate in the formation of, or become an officer or director of, any other blank check company until the Company has entered into a definitive agreement with respect to a Business Combination or the Company has failed to complete a Business Combination within 12 months after the closing of the Public Offering (or up to 21 months from the closing of the Public Offering if the Company extends the period of time to consummate a Business Combination in accordance with the Charter).

 

(b) Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees and acknowledges that: (i) each of the Underwriters and the Company would be irreparably injured in the event of a breach by such Sponsor or Insider of his, her or its obligations (as applicable) under paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6(a), 7(a), 7(b), and 9 of this Letter Agreement, (ii) monetary damages may not be an adequate remedy for such breach, and (iii) the non-breaching party shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy that such party may have in law or in equity, in the event of such breach. 

 

7. (a) Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not Transfer (as defined below) any Founder Shares until the earlier of (i) one year after the completion of a Business Combination or earlier if, subsequent to a Business Combination, (x) the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after a Business Combination or (y) the date following the completion of a Business Combination on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s shareholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “ Founder Shares Lock-up Period ”).

 

(b) Each Sponsor and each Insider agrees that it, he or she shall not effectuate any Transfer of Private Placement Warrants or Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants, until 30 days after the completion of a Business Combination (the “ Private Placement Warrants Lock-up Period ”, together with the Founder Shares Lock-up Period, the “ Lock-up Periods ”).

 

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(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in paragraphs 7(a) and (b), Transfers of the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants are permitted to (a)  the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliates or family members of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any members of any Sponsor or any affiliates of any Sponsor or any of its members; (b) in the case of an individual, by a gift to a member of one of the members of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of one of the individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such person or to a charitable organization; (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual; (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (e) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of a Business Combination at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; or (f) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of a Business Combination;  provided however , that in the case of clauses (a) through (e), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement agreeing to be bound by these transfer restrictions.

 

8. Each Sponsor and each Insider represents and warrants that it, he or she has never been suspended or expelled from membership in any securities or commodities exchange or association or had a securities or commodities license or registration denied, suspended or revoked. Each Insider’s biographical information furnished to the Company is true and accurate in all respects and does not omit any material information with respect to the undersigned’s background. Each Insider’s questionnaire furnished to the Company and the information about the Insider in the Prospectus is true and accurate in all respects. Each Insider represents and warrants that: the undersigned is not subject to or a respondent in any legal action for, any injunction, cease-and-desist order or order or stipulation to desist or refrain from any act or practice relating to the offering of securities in any jurisdiction; the undersigned has never been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any crime (i) involving fraud, (ii) relating to any financial transaction or handling of funds of another person, or (iii) pertaining to any dealings in any securities and the undersigned is not currently a defendant in any such criminal proceeding. 

 

9. Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, neither any Sponsor or any Insider nor any affiliate of any Sponsor or any Insider, nor any director or officer of the Company, shall receive from the Company any finder’s fee, reimbursement, consulting fee, monies in respect of any repayment of a loan or other compensation prior to, or in connection with any services rendered in order to effectuate the consummation of a Business Combination (regardless of the type of transaction that it is), other than the following, none of which will be made from the proceeds of the Public Offering held in the Trust Account prior to the completion of a Business Combination: (a) repayment of loans of up to an aggregate of $250,000 made to the Company by the Sponsors; (b) payment to an affiliate of the Company’s executive officers for office space, utilities and secretarial support for a total of $10,000 per month; (c) reimbursement for any reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to identifying, investigating and consummating a Business Combination, and (d) repayment of loans, if any, and on such terms as to be determined by the Company from time to time, made by the Sponsors or certain of the Company’s officers and directors to finance transaction costs in connection with an intended Business Combination, provided, that, if the Company does not consummate a Business Combination, a portion of the working capital held outside the Trust Account may be used by the Company to repay such loaned amounts so long as no other proceeds from the Trust Account are used for such repayment. In the event that the Company does not consummate a Business Combination, each Sponsor of the Company hereby waives its right to be repaid for any loan such Sponsor has made to the Company, including loans to extend the period of time during which the Company must consummate a Business Combination (other than from funds available to the Company not held in the Trust Account, including interest permitted to be withdrawn). Up to $2,000,000 of such loans (including any loans made in connection with the extension of the time available for the Company to consummate a Business Combination) may be convertible into warrants of the post Business Combination entity at a price of $0.50 per warrant at the option of the lender. Such warrants would be identical to the Private Placement Warrants.

 

10. Each Sponsor and each Insider has full right and power, without violating any agreement to which it is bound (including, without limitation, any non-competition or non-solicitation agreement with any employer or former employer), to enter into this Letter Agreement and, as applicable, to serve as a director on the board of directors of the Company and hereby consents to being named in the prospectus as a director or director nominee of the Company.

 

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11. As used herein, (i) “ Business Combination ” shall mean a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination, involving the Company and one or more businesses; (ii) “ Founder Shares ” shall mean the 1,887,097 shares of the Common Stock of the Company initially acquired by the Sponsors and Insiders for an aggregate purchase price of $25,000, or approximately $0.0001 per share, prior to the consummation of the Public Offering; (iii) “ Private Placement Warrants  “ shall mean the Warrants to purchase up to 7,650,000 shares of the Common Stock of the Company that are to be acquired by the Sponsors for an aggregate purchase price of $3.825 million in the aggregate, or $0.50 per Warrant, in a private placement that shall occur simultaneously with the consummation of the Public Offering; (iv) “ Public Shareholders ” shall mean the holders of securities issued in the Public Offering; (v) “ Trust Account ” shall mean the trust fund into which a portion of the net proceeds of the Public Offering shall be deposited; and (vi) “ Transfer ” shall mean the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).

 

12. This Letter Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby. This Letter Agreement may not be changed, amended, modified or waived (other than to correct a typographical error) as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

13. No party hereto may assign either this Letter Agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee. This Letter Agreement shall be binding on the Sponsors and Insiders and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Any transfer made in contravention of this Letter Agreement shall be null and void.

 

14. This Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflicts of law principles that would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. The parties hereto (i) all agree that any action, proceeding, claim or dispute arising out of, or relating in any way to, this Letter Agreement shall be brought and enforced in the courts of New York City, in the State of New York, and irrevocably submits to such jurisdiction and venue, which jurisdiction and venue shall be exclusive and (ii) waives any objection to such exclusive jurisdiction and venue or that such courts represent an inconvenient forum.

 

15. Any notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms or provisions of this Letter Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand delivery or facsimile transmission.

 

16. This Letter Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the Lock-up Periods or (ii) the liquidation of the Company;  provided however , that this Letter Agreement shall earlier terminate in the event that the Public Offering is not consummated and closed by August 31, 2016, provided further  that paragraph 4 of this Letter Agreement shall survive such liquidation.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

  5  

 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

ASTRA MARITIME CORP.

 
     
By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
 

Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Title:   President

 

 

DOMINIUM INVESTMENTS INC.     
   
/s/ Prokopios (Aki) Tsirigakis  

Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis

Title:   President

 
   
MAGELLAN INVESTMENTS CORP.  
   
/s/ George Syllantavos  

Name: George Syllantavos

Title:   President

 

 

FIRMUS INVESTMENTS INC.     
   
 /s/ George Syllantavos  

Name: George Syllantavos

Title:   President

 

 

By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
  Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis  
     
By: /s/ George Syllantavos  
  George Syllantavos  
     
By: /s/ Alexandros Argyros  
  Alexandros Argyros  
     
By: /s/ Tiziano Paravagana  
  Tiziano Paravagna  
     
By: /s/ Eleonora (Liona) Bacha  
  Eleonora (Liona) Bacha  
     
By: /s/ Nikolas Tsirgakis  
  Nikolas Tsirigakis  
     
By: /s/ Nicolas Bornozis  
  Nicolas Bornozis  
     
By: /s/ Stylianos Anastopoulos  
  Stylianos Anastopoulos  

 

CENTARUS METAL CORP.     
     
/s/ Anastasios Chrysostamidis  
Name:   Anastasios Chrysostamidis  
Title:    Director  
     
Acknowledged and Agreed:  

 

STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.    
     
By: /s/ George Syllantavos  
  Name:    George Syllantavos  
  Title:  co-Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

6

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
90 Kifi ssias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

August 18, 2016

Nautilus Energy Management Corp.

90 Kifi ssias Avenue

Maroussi 15125

Athens, Greece

 

Re: Administrative Services Agreement

 

Gentlemen:

 

This letter will confirm our agreement that, commencing on the date the securities of Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the “ Company ”) are first listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (the “ Listing Date ”), pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 and prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ Registration Statement ”) and continuing until the earlier of the consummation by the Company of an initial business combination or the Company’s liquidation (in each case as described in the Registration Statement) (such earlier date hereinafter referred to as the “ Termination Date ”), Nautilus Energy Management Corp. (“ Nautilus ”), an affiliate of certain of our executive officers, shall make available to the Company, at 90 Kifissias Avenue, Maroussi 15125, Athens, Greece (or any successor location), certain office space, utilities, and general office, receptionist and secretarial support as may be reasonably required by the Company. In exchange therefor, the Company shall pay Nautilus the sum of $10,000 per month on the Listing Date and continuing monthly thereafter.

 

Nautilus hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title, interest, causes of action and claims of any kind (each, a “ Claim ”) in or to, and any and all right to seek payment of any amounts due to it out of, the trust account established for the benefit of the public shareholders of the Company and into which substantially all of the proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering will be deposited (the “ Trust Account ”), and hereby irrevocably waives any Claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, this agreement, which Claim would reduce, encumber or otherwise adversely affect the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account, and further agrees not to seek recourse, reimbursement, payment or satisfaction of any Claim against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account for any reason whatsoever.

 

This letter agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior understandings, agreements, or representations by or among the parties hereto, written or oral, to the extent they relate in any way to the subject matter hereof or the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

This letter agreement may not be amended, modified or waived as to any particular provision, except by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.

 

No party hereto may assign either this letter agreement or any of its rights, interests, or obligations hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party. Any purported assignment in violation of this paragraph shall be void and ineffectual and shall not operate to transfer or assign any interest or title to the purported assignee.

 

This letter agreement, the entire relationship of the parties hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

   

 

 

  Very truly yours,
   
  STELLAR ACQUISITION III INC.
     
  By: /s/ Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Name: Prokopios (Akis) Tsirigakis
    Title: co-Chief Executive Officer

 

AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED BY:

 

NAUTILUS ENERGY MANAGEMENT CORP.

 

By: /s/ George Syllantavos  
  Name: George Syllantavos  
  Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

[Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc. Announces Pricing of $65,000,000 Initial Public Offering

 

ATHENS, August 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the "Company" or "Stellar"), today announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 6,500,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units are expected to be listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market ("NASDAQ") and trade under the ticker symbol "STLRU" beginning today. The closing of the Company's initial public offering is expected to be consummated on or about August 24, 2016. Each unit consists of one share of the Company's common stock and one warrant, enabling the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the common stock and warrants are expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the symbols "STLR" and "STLRW," respectively.

 

Maxim Group LLC is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering. Chardan Capital Markets, LLC and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. are acting as co-managers for the offering. The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 975,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. When available, copies of the prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 405 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10174, Attn: Prospectus Department or by Tel: (800) 724-0751.

 

A registration statement relating to the securities has been declared effective by the SEC on August 18, 2016. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.  

 

About Stellar

 

Stellar is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company's efforts to identify a target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although it intends to focus efforts on seeking a business combination with a company or companies in the international oil and gas logistics, land and maritime oil and gas transportation, terminal and energy storage industries.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," including with respect to the initial public offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the offering discussed above will be completed on the terms described, or at all, or that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's registration statement and final prospectus for the Company's offering to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Copies will be available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

 

SOURCE Stellar Acquisition III Inc.

 

 

Exhibit 99.2

 

Stellar Acquisition III Inc. Completes $65,000,000 Initial Public Offering

 

ATHENS, August 24, 2016 — Stellar Acquisition III Inc. (the "Company" or "Stellar") today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 6,500,000 units. The offering was priced at $10.00 per unit, resulting in gross proceeds of $65,000,000 before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses by the Company.

 

The Company’s units began trading on the NASDAQ Capital Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “STLRU” on August 19, 2016. Each unit consists of one share of the Company’s common stock and one warrant, enabling the holder thereof to purchase one share of common stock at a price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the common stock and warrants are expected to be listed on NASDAQ under the symbols “STLR” and “STLRW,” respectively.

 

Maxim Group LLC served as sole book-running manager for the offering. Chardan Capital Markets, LLC and EarlyBirdCapital, Inc. served as co-managers for the offering. Stellar has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 975,000 additional units to cover over-allotments, if any.

 

Of the proceeds received from the consummation of the initial public offering and a simultaneous private placement, $66,300,000 (or $10.20 per unit sold in the public offering) was placed in trust. An audited balance sheet of the Company as of August 24, 2016 reflecting receipt of the proceeds upon consummation of the initial public offering and the private placement will be included as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The offering was made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the prospectus related to this offering may be obtained from Maxim Group LLC, 405 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10174, Attn: Prospectus Department or by Tel: (800) 724-0761. Copies of the registration statement can be accessed through the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

A registration statement relating to the securities has been declared effective by the SEC on August 18, 2016. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

 

About Stellar

 

Stellar is a blank check company, also commonly referred to as a Special Purpose Acquisition Company, or SPAC, formed for the purpose of entering into a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. The Company's efforts to identify a target business will not be limited to a particular industry or geographic region, although it intends to focus efforts on seeking a business combination with a company or companies in the international oil and gas logistics, land and maritime oil and gas transportation, terminal and energy storage industries.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements,” including with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds. No assurance can be given that the net proceeds of the offering will be used as indicated. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Copies are available on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

 

Company Contact:

George Syllantavos
co-CEO & CFO
Stellar Acquisition III Inc.
90 Kifissias Avenue
Maroussi 15123, Athens, Greece
Email: gs@stellaracquisition.com

Investor Relations / Media Contact:
Daniela Guerrero
Capital Link, Inc.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1536
New York, N.Y. 10169
Tel.: (212) 661-7566
Fax: (212) 661-7526
E-Mail: stellaracquisition@capitallink.com