UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

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

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   May 18, 2017

 

Ecoark Holdings, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Nevada   000-53361   30-0680177

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

3333 S Pinnacle Hills Parkway, Suite 220, Rogers AR   72758
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (479) 259-2977

 

N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

On May 18, 2017, Ecoark Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with Zest Labs, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Zest”), 440labs, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“440labs”), SphereIt, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company (“SphereIt”) and three of 440labs’ executive employees. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company will acquire all of the shares of 440labs in exchange for 300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Transaction”) issued to SphereIt.

440labs is a cloud and mobile software developer which, after the Transaction, will become a subsidiary of Zest. 440labs’ three executive employees signed employment agreements pursuant to which each of the three executive employees received 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, will be employed by Zest and provide Zest with development and runtime operations expertise to help expand the depth and breadth of Zest Fresh deployments. 440labs has been a development partner of Zest for more than four years, contributing to the development of Zest’s scalable enterprise cloud solutions and mobile applications.

The Exchange Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, closing conditions and indemnification provisions. In connection with the issuance of the shares of common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company relied on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for transactions not involving a public offering.

The foregoing description of the Exchange Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Exchange Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference. 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

 

On May 23, 2017, the Company completed the Transaction whereby it acquired 440labs. The information included in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

The information included in Item 1.01 is incorporated herein by reference. 

 

Item 8.01. Other Events.

 

On May 24, 2017, the Company issued a press release regarding the Transaction described above under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information in this Item 8.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the United States Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)  

Exhibit
No.

 

Description.

     
    10.1   Exchange Agreement, dated May 18, 2017
    10.2   Form of Employment Agreement
    99.1   Press Release, dated May 24, 2017

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: May 24, 2017 ECOARK HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jay Puchir
  Name: Jay Puchir
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Copy

 

EXCHANGE AGREEMENT

 

This Exchange Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into on May 18, 2017 (the “Effective Date”) by and among Ecoark Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Ecoark”), Zest Labs, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Zest”), 440labs, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (“440labs”), SphereIt, LLC, a Massachusetts limited liability company (“SphereIt”), Kenneth Wilner, an individual (“Wilner”), David Crisafi, an individual (“Crisafi” and, together with SphereIt and Wilner, the “Sellers”), and Scott Durgin, an individual (“Durgin” and, together with Ecoark, Zest, 440labs and the Sellers, the “Parties”).

 

WHEREAS, SphereIt was formerly known as 440labs, LLC and recently changed its name in conjunction with its formation of 440labs, Inc. as a subsidiary and its conveyance to 440labs, Inc. of all of its historic assets related to its outsourced software development and operations business (the “Development Business”), leaving all of its historic assets related to its consumer oriented buying technology business in SphereIt (the “Remaining Business”);

 

WHEREAS, Wilner and Crisafi were integral in the development and success of the Development Business and, accordingly, were offered employment agreements containing a significant award of Ecoark common stock to induce them to become employees of Zest and enter into this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Sellers own all of the issued and outstanding stock of 440labs (the “440labs Stock”) as set forth on Exhibit A attached to this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Sellers desire to sell to Zest, and Zest desires to purchase from the Seller, all of the 440labs Stock in exchange for shares of Ecoark’s common stock (the “Ecoark Common Stock”) upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and

 

WHEREAS, Zest has no interest in acquiring the Remaining Business which SphereIt will continue to operate after the Effective Date.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the Parties to this Agreement, hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

SHARE EXCHANGE

 

Section 1.1       Share Exchange . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, SphereIt does hereby sell to Zest all of the 440labs Stock in exchange for 300,000 shares of Ecoark’s Common Stock (the “Exchange Shares”). On the Effective Date, (i) Ecoark shall issue a certificate representing the Exchange Shares, dated the Effective Date, and deliver such certificate to its counsel pending completion of the post-closing deliveries contemplated by Section 2.1, and (ii) Sphereit shall deliver to Ecoark’s counsel, pending completion of the post-closing deliveries the certificates evidencing the 440labs Stock duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed stock powers

 

Section 1.2       Lock Up and Leak Out . The Exchange Shares issued to SphereIt shall be subject to a lock-up agreement (the “Lock-Up Agreement”) that releases shares from the Lock-Up Agreement over a period of one year (the “Lock-Up Period”). Under the Lock-Up Agreement SphereIt shall be permitted to sell 50% of the Exchange Shares it receives after the six-month anniversary of the Effective Date. Thereafter, an additional 25% of the Exchange Shares shall be released from the provisions of the Lock-Up Agreement at the end of each subsequent three-month period until the end of the Lock-Up Period.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

POST-CLOSING DELIVERIES

 

Section 2.1       Post-Closing Deliveries . On or before May 31, 2017, each party shall deliver to the other all documents and certificates contemplated by Section 6.1 and Ecoark’s counsel shall deliver the Exchange Shares to SphereIt and the 440labs Stock to Ecoark and Zest.

 

ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF ECOARK AND ZEST

 

Ecoark and Zest each represent and warrant to the Sellers and Durgin that the statements contained this Article III are true and correct as of the date Effective Date.

 

Section 3.1       Existence and Power . Ecoark and Zest have the power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Ecoark and Zest have been duly authorized. The Board of Directors of Ecoark and Zest have authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Ecoark and Zest, and constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of Ecoark and Zest.

 

Section 3.2       No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by Ecoark and Zest of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not: (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of either Zest or Ecoark; (b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable law; or (c) require any additional consents, notices or other actions. No consent, approval, permit, governmental order, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any governmental authority is required by or with respect to Ecoark and Zest in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 3.3       Brokers . No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 3.4       Litigation. There are no actions pending or, to Ecoark and Zest’s knowledge, threatened against or by Ecoark or Zest that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No event has occurred or circumstances exist that may give rise or serve as a basis for any such action.

 

Section 3.5       Valid Issuance of Exchange Shares . The Exchange Shares have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action. When issued and sold against receipt of the consideration therefor, the Exchange Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, will not subject the holders thereof to personal liability and will not be issued in violation of preemptive rights. Ecoark has no plan or intention to reacquire any of the Exchange Shares.

 

Section 3.6       Continuation of Business . Ecoark and Zest currently plan to continue the operation of 440labs business including using a significant portion of its historic assets. Ecoark and Zest have no present plan or intention to liquidate 440labs; to merge 440labs into another corporation; to cause 440labs to sell or otherwise dispose of any of its assets, except for dispositions made in the ordinary course of business; or to sell or otherwise dispose of any of the 440labs Stock acquired in this transaction.

 

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Section 3.7      Rule 144 Requirements . At all times subsequent to the Effective Date, the Company agrees to:

 

a. make and keep available “adequate current public information” regarding the Company as such term is used, defined and made applicable to reporting issuers by SEC Rule 144(c)(1) (17 CFR § 230.144(c)(1)), and

 

b. furnish to each of the Sellers promptly upon written request (i) a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and, generally, the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended and (ii) such other reports and documents of the Company as the Sellers, and each of them, may reasonably request to avail themselves of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing them to sell Exchange Shares without registration.

 

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF 440labs AND SELLERS

 

The Sellers, Durgin and 440labs jointly represent and warrant to Ecoark and Zest as of the Effective Date that:

 

Section 4.1      Existence and Power . 440labs is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of Massachusetts. 440labs has the corporate power and is duly authorized under all applicable laws to carry on its business in all material respects as it is now being conducted, including qualifications to do business as a foreign corporation in the states or countries in which the character and location of the assets owned by it or the nature of the business transacted by it requires qualification, except where failure to be so qualified would not have a material adverse effect on its business. 440labs has provided Ecoark and Zest with complete and correct copies of organizational documents as in effect on the date hereof. Sellers and 440labs have the power and authority to enter into this Agreement, to carry out its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by 440labs has been duly authorized by each of the Sellers respectively. The Board of Directors of 440labs has authorized the execution and delivery of this Agreement by 440labs and approved this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Sellers and 440labs, and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Sellers and 440labs.

 

Section 4.2       No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by Durgin, each of the Sellers and 440labs of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, do not and will not: (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, or default under, any provision of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents of 440labs; (b) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any provision of any applicable law; or (c) require any additional consents, notices or other actions. No consent, approval, permit, governmental order, declaration or filing with, or notice to, any governmental authority is required by or with respect to Seller and 440labs in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 4.3       Brokers. No broker, finder or investment banker is entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 

Section 4.4       Litigation. There are no actions pending or, to each of the Durgin’s, Seller’s and 440labs’s knowledge, threatened against Durgin, any of the Sellers or 440labs that challenge or seek to prevent, enjoin or otherwise delay the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. No event has occurred or circumstances exist that may give rise or serve as a basis for any such action. There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Durgin or any of the Sellers after reasonable investigation, threatened by or against Durgin, any of the Sellers or 440labs, at law or in equity, before any court or other governmental agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or before any arbitrator of any kind. None of Durgin, the Sellers or 440labs has any knowledge of any material default with respect to any judgment, order, injunction, decree, award, rule, or regulation of any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency or instrumentality or of any circumstances which, after reasonable investigation, would result in the discovery of such a default.

 

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Section 4.5       Valid Issuance . The issuance of 440labs Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary action.

 

Section 4.6       Contracts . (a) Other than those schedules listed on Schedule 4.6 , there are no material contracts, agreements, franchises, license agreements, debt instruments or other commitments to which 440labs is a party or by which any of its assets, products, technology, or properties are bound other than those incurred in the ordinary course of business (as used in this Agreement, a “ material ” contract, agreement, franchise, license agreement, debt instrument or commitment is one which (i) will remain in effect for more than six months after the date of this Agreement and (ii) involves obligations of at least $10,000).

 

(b)       All contracts, agreements, franchises, license agreements, and other commitments, if any, to which 440labs is a party and which are material to the operations or proposed operations of 440labs taken as a whole are valid and enforceable by 440labs in all material respects, except as limited by bankruptcy and insolvency laws and by other laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

Section 4.7       Capitalization . The authorized and issued stock of 440labs is one thousand (1,000) shares of common stock, no par value, of which six hundred (600) shares are issued and outstanding.

 

Section 4.8       Other Information . (a) 440labs has no liabilities with respect to the payment of any federal, provincial, state, county, local or other Taxes (including any deficiencies, interest or penalties), except for taxes accrued but not yet due and payable or as provided in 440labs’s balance sheet.

 

(b)       440labs has filed all federal, provincial, state or local income and/or franchise tax returns required to be filed by it from inception to the date hereof. Each of such income tax returns reflects the taxes due for the period covered thereby, except for amounts which, in the aggregate, are immaterial.

 

(c)       440labs has provided Ecoark and Zest Labs an unaudited balance sheet as of March 31, 2017. The books and records and unaudited balance sheet of 440labs are in all material respects complete and correct and have been maintained in accordance with good business and accounting practices.

 

(d)       440labs has no material liabilities, direct or indirect, matured or unmatured, contingent or otherwise in excess of $5,000 except as disclosed in writing to Ecoark and Zest Labs on Schedule 4.8 , which liabilities in aggregate shall not exceed $15,000, including payables, on the Effective Date.

 

Section 4.9       Intellectual Property . (a) 440labs owns all right, title and interest in the intellectual property assets set forth in Schedule 4.9 and such ownership is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, obligatory payments to others and the obligation to grant rights to others. 440labs owns all right, title and interest in, or possesses adequate licenses or other valid rights to use (without the making of any payment to others or the obligation to grant rights to others in exchange), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, all Intellectual Property owned by 440labs or used in connection with the operation of its business as currently conducted. For the purposes of this Agreement, “ Intellectual Property ” means (i) all inventions, whether patentable or not patentable, all improvements thereto, and all patents, patent applications and patent disclosures, together with all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, revisions, utility models, extensions and reexaminations thereof, (ii) the websites, URLs, domain names, trade names and trademarks, (iii) all copyrightable works, all copyrights and all applications, registrations, renewals and derivatives in connection therewith, (iv) all trade secrets and confidential business information (including ideas, research and development, know-how, formulas, certifications, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs including advertising designs, logos, drawings, packaging, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals, (v) all other proprietary rights, and (vi) all copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium).

 

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(b)       440labs has not interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual Property rights of any other person, and none of the directors and officers (and employees with responsibility for Intellectual Property matters) of 440labs has ever received any charge, complaint, claim, demand or notice from any governmental body or other person alleging any such interference, infringement, misappropriation or conflict (including any claim that 440labs must license or refrain from using any Intellectual Property rights of any other person). To Seller and 440labs’s knowledge, no person has interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual Property rights of 440labs.

 

(c)       440labs has delivered to Ecoark and Zest correct and complete copies of all such patents, registrations and applications (as amended to date) and has made available to Ecoark and Zest correct and complete copies of all other written documentation evidencing prosecution (if applicable) of each such item of Intellectual Property (the “ Patents ”).

 

(d)       Schedule 4.9 identifies each registered and unregistered trademark, including product names and domain names, used by 440labs in connection with its business. 440labs has delivered to 440labs correct and complete copies of all written documentation evidencing ownership and use of each such product name and domain name.

 

(e)       440labs represents that it does not use any computer software or Intellectual Property owned by any person other than 440labs pursuant to any license, sublicense, agreement or permission and that no such licenses, sublicenses, agreements or permissions exist.

 

(f)       No third party has any right to, and 440labs has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to, any product, technology, data, trade secrets, know-how, proprietary techniques, trademarks, service marks, trade names, or copyrights which, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a materially adverse effect on the proposed business, operations, financial condition, income, or business prospects of 440labs or any material portion of its properties, assets, or rights.

 

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

 

The Sellers and Durgin hereby represent and warrant to Zest and Ecoark as of the Effective Date (other than the representations and warranties which are as of a specified date, which speak only as of such date) as follows:

 

Section 5.1      Good Title . The 440labs Stock held by the Sellers are owned free and clear of any liens, restriction on sale, transfer or voting (other than restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws), preemptive right, option or other right to purchase of any person.  Upon the consummation of the sale of such the 440labs Stock by Sellers as contemplated hereby, Zest shall have valid title to such the 440labs Stock and shall be the record owner thereof, free and clear of any lien, restriction on sale, transfer or voting (other than restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws), preemptive right, option or other right to purchase of any person

 

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Section 5.2      Access to Information; Disclaimer . Sellers and Durgin acknowledge and agree that each of them (a) has had an opportunity to discuss the business and affairs of Ecoark and Zest with appropriate management, (b) has had reasonable access to the books and records of Ecoark and Zest, (c) has been afforded the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers from officers of Ecoark and Zest, and (d) conducted their own independent investigation of Ecoark and Zest, their respective businesses and the transactions contemplated hereby, and has not relied on any representation, warranty or other statement by any person on behalf of Ecoark and Zest, other than the representations and warranties of Ecoark and Zest expressly contained in Article III , and that all other representations and warranties are specifically disclaimed.  Without limiting the foregoing, Sellers and Durgin further acknowledge and agree that none of Ecoark and Zest or any of their employees, affiliates, advisors, agents or other representatives has made any representation or warranty concerning any estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans or other forward-looking information regarding Ecoark and Zest or their businesses and operations.  Sellers and Durgin hereby acknowledge that there are uncertainties inherent in attempting to develop such estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans and other forward-looking information with which Sellers and Durgin are familiar, that Sellers and Durgin are taking full responsibility for making their own evaluations of the adequacy and accuracy of all estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans and other forward-looking information furnished to them (including the reasonableness of the assumptions underlying such estimates, projections, forecasts, business plans and other forward-looking information), and that Sellers and Durgin will have no claim against Ecoark and Zest, any of their employees, affiliates, advisors, agents or other representatives with respect thereto.

 

Section 5.3      Available Information . Sellers and Durgin represent that they have reviewed filings made by Ecoark with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC Documents”) and that Sellers and Durgin have, or have been advised by professionals with, such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that Sellers and Durgin are capable of utilizing the information set forth therein, concerning Ecoark to evaluate the risk of investing in Ecoark. Sellers and Durgin have, before the Effective Date, been afforded the opportunity to review and is familiar with the SEC Documents and has based their decision to invest solely on the information contained therein, and the information contained within this Agreement and has not been furnished with any other literature, prospectus or other information except as included in the SEC Documents or this Agreement. 

 

Section 5.4      Securities Representations . Sellers and Durgin hereby confirm that the Exchange Share to be acquired by Seller hereunder (subject to the terms and conditions herein) will be acquired for investment for Sellers’ and Durgin’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and that Sellers and Durgin have no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the Exchange Shares. Sellers and Durgin further represent that neither Sellers nor Durgin presently have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of such Exchange Shares. Sellers and Durgin understand that the Exchange Shares to be acquired, subject to the terms and conditions herein, have not been and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. Sellers and Durgin understand that, until registered in compliance with this Agreement, the securities are “restricted securities” under applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and that, pursuant to these laws, Sellers and Durgin must hold the securities indefinitely unless they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and qualified by state authorities, or an exemption from such registration and qualification requirements is available. Sellers and Durgin acknowledge that Ecoark has no obligation to register or qualify securities for resale. Seller understands that the securities may, until registered in accordance with this Agreement, be notated with a customary Securities Act legend.  Each of the Sellers and Durgin represent that he or it is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

ARTICLE VI

CONDITIONS TO COMPLETION OF SHARE EXCHANGE

 

Section 6.1       Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Complete the Exchange . The respective obligations of the Parties hereunder to complete the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(a)       the obligations of Ecoark and Zest under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, to the extent not waived by Ecoark and Zest in writing:

 

(i)         the Employment Agreements shall have been executed by the Key Employees (as hereafter defined) and delivered to Ecoark and Zest;

 

(ii)       the 440labs Stock have been delivered to Zest;

 

(iii)      all of the financial statements and schedules required to be provided by the Sellers pursuant to this Agreement shall have been delivered to Zest and Ecoark; and

 

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(iv)     good standing and customary closing certificates for 440labs, Inc. and SphereIt, LLC. shall have been provided to Ecoark and Zest by the Sellers.

 

(b)      the obligations of the Sellers, Durgin and 440labs under this Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions, to the extent not waived by the Seller and 440labs in writing:

 

(i)        the Exchange Shares have been delivered to the Sellers

 

(ii)       all of the schedules required to be provided by Ecoark and Zest pursuant to this Agreement shall have been delivered to the Sellers; and

 

(iii)      good standing and customary closing certificates for Ecoark and Zest shall have been provided to the Sellers by Ecoark.

 

ARTICLE VII.
COVENANTS

 

Section 7.1      Employment with Zest . As an inducement to Zest to enter into and to perform its obligations under this Agreement, 440labs covenants that 440labs’s key personnel consisting of the Durgin, Wilner, and Crisafi (the “Key Employees”) will enter into employment agreements, satisfactory to Ecoark and Zest (the “Employment Agreements”).

 

Section 7.2      Corporate Identity . Upon the closing of this Agreement and until the four-year anniversary of the Effective Date, 440labs shall operate as a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of either Ecoark or Zest.

 

ARTICLE VIII.
INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 8.1      Indemnification by the Sellers and Durgin . Subject to the provisions of this Section 8.1, each of the Sellers, severally and not jointly, agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Ecoark and Zest and their stockholders, subsidiaries, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns (such indemnified persons are collectively hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Persons”) harmless from and against any and all loss, liability, damage or deficiency (including interest, penalties, judgments, costs of preparation and investigation, and attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “ Losses ”) that any of the Indemnified Person may suffer, sustain, incur or become subject to arising out of or due to: (a) the non-fulfillment of any covenant, undertaking, agreement or other obligation of the Sellers, Durgin or 440labs under this Agreement or any Schedule hereto; (b) any action taken by the Sellers, Durgin or 440labs prior to the Effective Date, or the operations of 440labs prior to the Effective Date; (c) any misstatement, breach of or inaccuracy of any representation of the Sellers, Durgin or 440labs in this Agreement; or (d) any liabilities of 440labs incurred prior to the Effective Date which are not disclosed to Ecoark or Zest at or prior to the Effective Date; provided however, that the Sellers and Durgin will not be liable under this Section 8.1 unless the aggregate amount of Losses exceeds $30,000 (the “ Threshold ”), in which event the Seller shall be liable for all Losses up to, including and exceeding the amount of the Threshold. In addition, the Sellers and Durgin will not be liable under this Section 8.1 for any amount of Losses in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the value of Exchange Shares as of the close of business on the Effective Date. “Losses” as used in this Section 8.1 shall be limited to matters asserted by third parties. “Losses” shall not include any liability or claim pursuant to the Master Services Agreement between SphereIt (f/k/a 440labs, LLC) and Zest. The liability of each of the Sellers for Losses pursuant to this Section 8.1 shall be several and not joint and the liability of each of the Sellers shall be in the following proportions: Durgin – 60%; Crisafi – 20%; and Wilner – 20%.

 

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Section 8.2       Indemnification Procedures

 

(a)    In the event that any legal proceedings shall be instituted or that any claim or demand (“Claim”) shall be asserted by any Party in respect of which payment may be sought under Section 8.1 hereof (regardless of the Threshold referred to above), the indemnified party shall reasonably and promptly cause written notice of the assertion of any Claim of which it has knowledge which is covered by this indemnity to be forwarded to the indemnifying party. The indemnifying party shall have the right, at its sole option and expense, to be represented by counsel of its choice, which must be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party, and to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder. If the indemnifying party elects to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder, it shall within five (5) days (or sooner, if the nature of the Claim so requires) notify the indemnified party of its intent to do so. If the indemnifying party elects not to defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with any Claim which relates to any Losses indemnified against hereunder, fails to notify the indemnified party of its election as herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify the indemnified party for such Losses under this Agreement, the indemnified party may defend against, negotiate, settle or otherwise deal with such Claim. If the indemnified party defends any Claim, then the indemnifying party shall reimburse the indemnified party for the Expenses of defending such Claim upon submission of periodic bills. If the indemnifying party shall assume the defense of any Claim, the indemnified party may participate, at his or its own expense, in the defense of such Claim; provided, however, that such indemnified party shall be entitled to participate in any such defense with separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party if, (i) so requested by the indemnifying party to participate or (ii) in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the indemnified party, a conflict or potential conflict exists between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party that would make such separate representation advisable; and provided, further, that the indemnifying party shall not be required to pay for more than one such counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any Claim. The parties hereto agree to cooperate fully with each other in connection with the defense, negotiation or settlement of any such Claim.

 

(b)    After any final judgment or award shall have been rendered by a court, arbitration board or administrative agency of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of the time in which to appeal therefrom, or a settlement shall have been consummated, or the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have arrived at a mutually binding agreement with respect to a Claim hereunder, the indemnified party shall forward to the indemnifying party notice of any sums due and owing by the indemnifying party pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such matter and the indemnifying party shall be required to pay all of the sums so due and owing to the indemnified party by wire transfer of immediately available funds within 10 business days after the date of such notice.

 

(c)    The failure of the indemnified party to give reasonably prompt notice of any Claim shall not release, waive or otherwise affect the indemnifying party’s obligations with respect thereto except to the extent that the indemnifying party can demonstrate actual loss and prejudice as a result of such failure.

 

Section 8.3       Tax Treatment of Indemnity Payments .

 

The Parties agree to treat any indemnity payment made pursuant to this Article VIII as an adjustment to the purchase price for federal, state, local and foreign income tax purposes.

 

ARTICLE IX

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 9.1       Payment of Sales, Use or Similar Taxes .

 

All sales, uses, transfers, intangibles, recordations, documentary stamps or similar taxes or charges, of any nature whatsoever, applicable to, or resulting from, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be borne by the Sellers.

 

  8  

 

 

Section 9.2       Survival of Representations and Warranties .

 

The Parties hereby agree that the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or in any certificate, document or instrument delivered in connection herewith, shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement for a period of twelve (12) months after the Effective Date.

 

Section 9.3       Expenses .

 

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Sellers, Durgin, 440labs, Ecoark and Zest shall each bear their own expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and each other agreement, document and instrument contemplated by this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, it being understood that in no event shall 440labs bear any of such costs and expenses.

 

Section 9.4       Further Assurances .

 

The Seller, 440labs, Ecoark and Zest each agrees to execute and deliver such other documents or agreements and to take such other action as may be reasonably necessary or desirable for the implementation of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

Section 9.5       Submission to Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .

 

Each Party (a) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Delaware for the purpose of any action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) waives, to the extent not prohibited by any law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in one of the above named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (c) agrees not to commence any action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before one of the above named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such Action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation to any court other than one of the above named court whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise.

 

Each of the Parties hereby consents to process being served by any Party to this Agreement in any suit, action or proceeding by the mailing of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.8.

 

Section 9.6       Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers .

 

This Agreement (including the schedules and exhibits hereto) represents the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and can be amended, supplemented or changed, and any provision hereof can be waived, only by written instrument making specific reference to this Agreement signed by the Party against whom enforcement of any such amendment, supplement, modification or waiver is sought. No action taken pursuant to this Agreement, including without limitation, any investigation by or on behalf of any Party, shall be deemed to constitute a waiver by the Party taking such action of compliance with any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement contained herein. The waiver by any Party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of such breach or as a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. No failure on the part of any Party to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of such right, power or remedy by such Party preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

 

  9  

 

 

Section 9.7       Governing Law .

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Section 9.8       Notices .

 

All notices, consents, waivers and other communications required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given to a Party when (a) delivered to the appropriate address by hand or by nationally recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid), or (b) sent by e-mail with confirmation of transmission by the transmitting equipment confirmed with a copy delivered as provided in clause (a), in each case to the following addresses, facsimile numbers or e-mail addresses and marked to the attention of the person (by name or title) designated on the signature page (or to such other address, facsimile number, e-mail address or person as a Party may designate by notice to the other Party).

 

Section 9.9      Severability .

 

If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable, the balance of this Agreement shall remain in effect.

 

Section 9.10      Binding Effect; Assignment .

 

This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Nothing in this Agreement shall create or be deemed to create any third party beneficiary rights in any person or entity not a party to this Agreement except as provided below. No assignment of this Agreement or of any rights or obligations hereunder may be made by either the Seller, 440labs, Ecoark or Zest (by operation of law or otherwise) without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto and any attempted assignment without the required consents shall be void.

 

  10  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective D ate .

 

  ECOARK HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jay Puchir                       
  Name: Jay Puchir
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
  3333 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Suite 220, Rogers, AR 72758
  RMay@ecoarkusa.com
     
  ZEST LABS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Peter Mehring
  Name: Peter Mehring
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
  2349 Bering Drive, San Jose, CA 95131
  Email: PMehring@zestlabs.com
     
  440 LABS, INC. (“440labs”)
     
  By: /s/ Scott Durgin
  Name: Scott Durgin
  Title: President
  143 Duncan Drive, North Andover, MA 01845
     
  SPHEREIT, Inc. (“SphereIt”)
     
  By: /s/ Scott Durgin
  Name: Scott Durgin
  Title: Manager
  143 Duncan Drive, North Andover, MA 01845
     
  SCOTT DURGIN (“Durgin”)
     
  /s/ Scott Durgin
  143 Duncan Drive, North Andover, MA 01845
     
  KENNETH WILNER (“Wilner”)
   
  /s/ Kenneth Wilner
  37 Scott Ave, Nashua, NH 03062
     
  DAVID CRISAFI (“Crisafi”)
   
  /s/ David Crisafi
  112 Codman Road, Lincoln, MA 01773

 

11

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of May 19, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”), by and between Ecoark Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“ Ecoark ”), Zest Labs, Inc., a California corporation (“ Zest ”), and [*] (the “ Executive ”).

 

W   I   T   N   E   S   S   E   T   H  :

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive, and Executive desires to be employed by the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements and covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.        Employment . The Company hereby employs Executive and Executive hereby accepts employment by the Company for the period and on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

2.        Position, Employment Duties and Responsibilities . Executive shall be employed as the [*] of Zest reporting to [*] (“ Duties ”). Employee’s place of employment shall be the principal executive office of 440labs, Inc. Executive shall not be required to move from his current place of employment as a condition of employment.

 

3.        Starting Salary . For all of the services rendered by Executive to the Company, the Company shall pay to Executive an annual salary of $[*] starting on the Effective Date. All payments hereunder shall be in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices in effect from time to time.

 

4.        Stock Compensation . Upon the Effective Date, the Company shall award the Executive 100,000 shares of Ecoark’s common stock (the “ Shares ”) which shall vest on the Effective Date. The shares shall be issued subject such restrictions on transfer as may arise under state and federal securities, but no other restrictions on transfer. The Company does not intend to name the Executive as an officer of the Company for purposes of Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

5.        Benefits . Executive will be eligible to participate in regular health insurance, bonus and other employee benefit plans established by the Company for its employees from time to time.

 

The Company’s benefits, payroll, and other human resource management services are provided through Insperity Corporation, a professional employer organization (“I nsperity ”). As a result of the Company’s arrangement with Insperity, Insperity will be considered the employer of record for these purposes.

 

The Company reserves the right to change or otherwise modify, in its sole discretion, its benefit plans at any time in the future.

 

Employee shall be entitled to an annual, paid vacation of four weeks (20 days) duration, which Employee shall be permitted to take at such time or times as he deems appropriate, provided only that the vacation period(s) shall not unduly interfere with the Company’s business or the performance of Employee’s duties hereunder.

 

 

 

 

Executive shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and customary business expenses which he incurs in the course of his employment. Executive shall account to the Company, in such detail and in such manner as the Company may reasonably require, for all expenses for which he seeks reimbursement.

 

6.        Confidentiality . As an employee of the Company, Executive will have access to certain confidential information of the Company and Executive may, during the course of Executive’s employment, develop certain information or inventions that will be the property of the Company. To protect the interests of the Company, Executive will need to sign the Company’s standard “Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement” as a condition of Executive’s employment. If there are any conflicts between this Agreement and the Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

7.        Options . The Company will recommend to its Board of Directors of Ecoark that Executive be granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of 100,000 shares of Ecoark common stock (the “ Option Shares ”) under the terms of an as yet to be adopted Ecoark incentive stock option plan (the “ Option Plan ”). The Option Shares will vest over a four year period, with 25% of the Option Shares vesting on the first anniversary of their issuance and thereafter 6.25% of the Option Shares vesting quarterly for the remaining twelve quarters of the four year period. The exercise price of the Option Shares shall not be greater than the market price of Ecoark common stock on the date of grant. In the event, Ecoark fails to adopt the Option Plan and authorize the grant of the Option Shares within 90 days of the Effective Date, Ecoark will issue non-statutory options, exclusive of any plan,

 

8.        Employment . During the period that Executive renders services to the Company, Executive agrees to not engage in any other employment, business or activity that interfere with his duties and responsibilities to the Company, other than work for charitable organizations or positions that do not provide remuneration. Executive represents that he is not currently engaged in, and will disclose to the Company in writing, any other outside business activities.

 

Executive’s employment may be terminated by any party for any reason, at any time, with or without notice and without cause, subject to the provisions of Section 9 and Section 10 of this Agreement.

 

9.        Employment: Termination and Separation Benefits . Executive’s employment with the Company will be at-will and may be terminated by Executive or by the Company at any time for any reason, with or without notice and with or without Cause. Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will receive payment for all accrued but unpaid salary, business expenses, variable compensation and vacation as of the date of Executive’s termination of employment, and Executive’s benefits will be continued under the Company’s then existing benefit plans and policies for so long as provided under the terms of such plans and policies and as required by applicable law. Executive’s participation in any stock option or benefit program is not to be regarded as assuring Executive of continuing employment for any particular period of time.

 

If Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, Executive will be entitled to receive an amount equal to two (2) months base salary and variable compensation (for which purpose it shall be assumed that Executive has attained 100% of any goals established for such variable compensation plan for the time period under consideration), payable over two (2) months in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies, and accelerated vesting of the then remaining granted but not vested options or shares subject to Executive’s Option, conditioned upon Executive’s execution of a full release and waiver of all claims against the Company, its officers, directors, agents, representatives and affiliates, and in lieu of any other compensation, award or damages with respect to Executive’s employment or termination.

 

2

 

 

In the event that Executive terminates his employment for Good Reason he shall be entitled to receive: (i) an amount equal to six (6) months base salary and variable compensation (for which purpose it shall be assumed that Executive has attained 100% of any goals established for such variable compensation plan for the time period under consideration) payable over six (6) months in accordance with the Company’s payroll policies; (ii) accelerated vesting of the then remaining granted but not vested options or shares subject to Executive’s Option; in each case conditioned upon Executive’s execution of a full release and waiver of all claims against the Company, its officers, directors, agents, representatives and affiliates, and in lieu of any other compensation, award or damages with respect to Executive’s employment or termination.

 

10.        Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation .

 

(a) Executive covenants and agrees that, during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company and for the greater of twenty-four (24) months from the Effective Date or twelve (12) months after the termination thereof, regardless of the reason for the employment termination, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of any Competitive Business perform the same or substantially the same Duties.

 

(b) Non-Solicitation of Employees . Executive also covenant and agree that during the term of Executive’s employment with the Company and for the greater of twenty-four (24) months from the Effective Date or twelve (12) months after the termination thereof, regardless of the reason for the employment termination, Executive will not, directly or indirectly, on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of or in conjunction with any person or legal entity, recruit, solicit, or induce, or attempt to recruit, solicit, or induce, any non-clerical employee or contractor of the Company with whom Executive had personal contact or supervised while performing Executive’s Duties, to terminate their employment relationship with the Company.

 

(c) Return of Property .  Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all correspondence, drawings, manuals, letters, notes, notebooks, reports, programs, plans, proposals, financial documents, or any other documents or property concerning the Company’s customers, business plans, marketing strategies, products, property or processes.

 

(d)  Non-Disparagement .  Each party (which, in the case of the Company, shall mean its Officers and the members of the Board) agrees, during the term of employment and following the termination, to refrain from Disparaging (as defined below) the other party and its affiliates, including, in the case of the Company, any of its services, technologies or practices, or any of its directors, officers, agents, representatives or stockholders, either orally or in writing. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude either party from making truthful statements that are reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation or legal process, or to defend or enforce a party’s rights under this Agreement.

 

3

 

 

11.        Definitions . As used in this agreement, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(a) “ Business of the Company ” means the highly competitive business of developing, manufacturing, marketing, distributing, and/or selling products that support or are used in food freshness management, meal delivery management, cold supply chain management, and/or post-harvest agriculture solutions.

 

(b) “ Cause ” means Executive’s (i) failure to substantially perform, or gross negligence in the performance of, Executive’s duties as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors; (ii) commission of any act of fraud, gross misconduct or dishonesty with respect to the Company; (iii) conviction of, or plea of guilty or “no contest” to, a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude; (iv) material breach of any proprietary information and inventions agreement or similar agreement with the Company; or (v) failure to follow lawful directions of the Board.

 

(c) “ Competitive Business ” include any firm, partnership, joint venture, corporation and/or any other entity and/or person, and/or any licensee of such entity, that develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and/or sells any of the products described as Business of the Company.

 

(d) “ Customer Prospects ” means any firm, partnership, corporation and/or any other entity and/or person reasonably expected by the Company to purchase from the Company any of the products described as Business of the Company.

 

(e) “ Disparaging ” shall mean remarks, comments or statements, whether written or oral, that impugn the character, integrity, reputation or abilities of the person or entity being disparaged.

 

(f) “ Good Reason ” means without Executive’s written consent (i), a material reduction in Executive’s duties or responsibilities; (ii) a requirement by the Company that Executive relocate his place of employment to a facility more than 60 miles from its location at the Effective Date; or (iii) a reduction in either Executive’s base salary or variable compensation (other than in connection with a general decrease in the salary of all executives of the Company).

 

(g) “ Vendors ” means any individual and/or entity that provides goods and services to the Company.

 

4

 

 

12.        Miscellaneous Provision

 

(a) Governing Law; Venue .   This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with its express terms, and otherwise in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Delaware. Each party (a) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of the State of Delaware and of the United States of America located in the State of Delaware for the purpose of any action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (b) waives, to the extent not prohibited by any law, and agrees not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above named courts, that its property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that any such proceeding brought in one of the above named courts is improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court and (c) agrees not to commence any action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof other than before one of the above named courts nor to make any motion or take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of any such Action (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation to any court other than one of the above named court whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise.

 

(b)  Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision(s) of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(c) Notices . Any notice, request, claim, demand, document and other communication hereunder to either party shall be effective upon receipt (or refusal of receipt), and shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by email, or certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, as follows:

 

  (1) If to the Company: 

Zest Labs, Inc.
2349 Bering Drive
San Jose, CA 95131 

Attention: Peter Mehring
Email: pmehring@zestlabs.com

 

  (2) If to Executive,

[*]

 

(d)  Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures delivered by facsimile shall be deemed effective for all purposes.

 

(e)  Entire Agreement . The terms of this Agreement, together with the Employee Invention Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement, are intended by the parties to be the final expression of their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, including, without limitation, any offer letter, employment or consulting agreement between the Company and Executive. The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of their terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding to vary the terms of this Agreement.

 

5

 

 

(f)  Amendments; Waivers . This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and a duly authorized officer of Company. By an instrument in writing similarly executed, Executive or a duly authorized officer of the Company may waive compliance by the other party with any specifically identified provision of this Agreement that such other party was or is obligated to comply with or perform; provided , however , that such waiver shall not operate as a waiver of, or estoppel with respect to, any other or subsequent failure. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.

 

(g) No Inconsistent Actions .  The parties hereto shall not voluntarily undertake or fail to undertake any action or course of action inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement. Furthermore, it is the intent of the parties hereto to act in a fair and reasonable manner with respect to the interpretation and application of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(h) Construction .   This Agreement shall be deemed drafted equally by the parties. Its language shall be construed as a whole and according to its fair meaning. Any presumption or principle that the language is to be construed against a party shall not apply.

 

(i) Enforcement . If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, the parties shall use their best efforts to agree upon the terms of a provision as similar to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be legally possible, valid and enforceable.

 

(j) Survival .  This Section 12(j) and the covenants, agreements, representations and warranties contained in or made within this Agreement, shall survive the expiration or any termination of this Agreement for any reason for the greater of twelve months from the Effective Date or the twelve-month period following the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

13.        Executive Acknowledgement.

 

Executive acknowledges that Executive has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representations or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has freely entered into this Agreement based on Executive’s own judgment. The Executive acknowledges that the Shares have not been registered under any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and have been issued pursuant to an exemption from securities laws. 

 

6

 

 

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

 

  ECOARK HOLDINGS, INC.
   
  By:                                 
  Name: Jay Puchir
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
  3333 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Suite 220, Rogers, AR 72758
  JPuchir@ecoarkusa.com
   
  ZEST LABS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name: Peter Mehring
  Title: Chief Executive Officer
  2349 Bering Drive, San Jose, CA 95131
  Email: PMehring@zestlabs.com
   
  EXECUTIVE
   
   

 

 

7

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Ecoark Completes Acquisition of 440labs, Adding Leading Enterprise Cloud Solution Developer to its Portfolio

 

440labs CEO Scott Durgin Will Join Ecoark Subsidiary Zest Labs as Chief Technical Officer

 

Rogers, AR – May 24, 2017 Ecoark Holdings, Inc. (“Ecoark”) (OTCQX: EARK), a diversified holding company, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of 440labs , a cloud and mobile software developer, to support its subsidiary, Zest Labs , adding to their leadership in increasing supply chain expertise in an all-stock transaction. The company also announced that 440labs CEO Scott Durgin will join Zest Labs as Chief Technical Officer.

 

With this acquisition, 440labs will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zest Labs. The company will provide development and runtime operations expertise to help expand the depth and breadth of Zest Fresh deployments. 440labs has been a key development partner of Zest Labs for more than four years, contributing its expertise in scalable enterprise cloud solutions and mobile applications.

 

“After years of collaboration, the acquisition of 440labs was an easy decision for our team as we continue to develop the Zest Fresh solution,” said Peter Mehring, CEO of Zest Labs. “Additionally, having Scott join our team as CTO will be invaluable, as he brings the necessary domain expertise to aid in increasing our supply chain efficiencies.”

 

At Zest Labs, 440lab’s leadership and engineering teams will augment the company’s development of modern, enterprise-scale solutions that connect to distributed IoT deployments. 440labs blends onshore/offshore resources to optimize development and provide extended runtime operations coverage, which is critical to broad-based deployments. The 440labs name, brands and office locations will not change as a result of the transaction.

 

“Our team is excited to officially be part of Zest Labs and further strengthen the Zest Fresh solution in the market through our technical expertise,” said Durgin. “Zest Labs is entering into an exciting stage of its growth and 440labs’ technology will help fuel the company as it continues on its successful trajectory.”

 

About Ecoark Holdings Inc.

Founded in 2011, Ecoark Holdings, Inc. is a diversified holding company focused on delivering long-term shareholder value. The company currently has three wholly-owned subsidiaries: Zest Labs, Pioneer Products and Magnolia Solar. For more information, please visit www.ecoarkusa.com, and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

Forward Looking Statement

This release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements concerning our business and possible or assumed future results of operations. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements for many reasons including: access to growth capital on favorable terms; adverse economic changes affecting markets we serve; competition in our markets and industry segments; our timing and the profitability of entering new markets; greater than expected costs, customer acceptance of our products or difficulties related to our integration of the businesses we may acquire; and other risks and uncertainties as may be detailed from time to time in our public announcements and SEC filings. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, they relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made, and our future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements may not meet these expectations. We do not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this document to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our expectations, except as required by law.

 

Contacts:

 

Investor Relations:

 

John Mills, Managing Partner

ICR, Inc.

646-277-1254

John.Mills@icrinc.com

 

Public Relations:

 

Keith Watson

fama PR

617-986-5001

ecoark@famapr.com