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): December 15, 2020
NEW PROVIDENCE ACQUISITION CORP.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware | 001-39040 | 84-2027232 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
10900 Research Blvd
Ste 160C PMB 1081
Austin, TX 78759
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (737) 202-4390
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
☒ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered |
||
Units, each consisting of one share of Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, and one-half of one-redeemable warrant | NPAUU | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC | ||
Shares of Class A common stock included as part of the units | NPA | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC | ||
Warrants included as part of the units, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 | NPAWW | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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. ☐
On December 15, 2020, AST & Science LLC (“AST”), a Delaware limited liability company, New Providence Acquisition Corp. (“NPA” and after the Closing, “PubCo”), the AST Existing Equityholders (as defined below) and New Providence Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”) announced that NPA, Sponsor, AST and the AST Existing Equityholders entered into a definitive equity purchase agreement (the “Equity Purchase Agreement”). The transactions contemplated by the Equity Purchase Agreement are referred to herein collectively as the “Business Combination”. This Form 8-K is being filed to describe the material terms of the Equity Purchase Agreement and related agreements, which are filed as exhibits herewith. Capitalized terms used in this Form 8-K but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Equity Purchase Agreement.
Item 1.01 Entry Into A Material Definitive Agreement.
Equity Purchase Agreement
The Equity Purchase Agreement, dated December 15, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), was entered into by and among NPA, AST and, for certain limited purposes, Abel Avellan, Tom Severson, Invesat LLC (“Invesat”), Vodafone Ventures Limited (“Vodafone”), ATC TRS II LLC (“American Tower”), Rakuten Mobile Singapore PTE LTD (“Rakuten”) and Samsung Next Fund LLC (collectively, the “AST Existing Equityholders”) and, for certain limited purposes, Sponsor, and, as the representative of the AST Existing Equityholders, Abel Avellan. The Equity Purchase Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby were unanimously approved by NPA’s board of directors and by the board of managers of AST, respectively.
Business Combination
Pursuant to the Equity Purchase Agreement, following the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), PubCo will be organized in an umbrella partnership–C corporation (“Up-C”) structure, in which substantially all of the assets of the combined company will be held by AST, and PubCo’s only assets will be its equity interests in AST. At the Closing:
● | NPA will amend its existing certificate of incorporation to: (a) change its name to “AST SpaceMobile Inc.”, (b) convert all then-outstanding shares of class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of NPA (the “NPA Class B Common Stock”), held by Sponsor (the “Sponsor Stock”), excluding any Forfeited Sponsor Stock (described below), into shares of class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo (such class A common stock, the “PubCo Class A Common Stock”), (c) issue to the AST Existing Equityholders (other than Abel Avellan) class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo (the “PubCo Class B Common Stock”), which carries one vote per share but no economic rights, and (d) issue to Abel Avellan class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo (the “PubCo Class C Common Stock”), which carries ten votes per share but no economic rights; |
● | AST and its members will adopt the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of AST (the “A&R Operating Agreement”) to (a) restructure its capitalization to (i) issue to NPA the number of common units of AST equal to the number of outstanding shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock immediately after giving effect to the Business Combination (taking into account any redemption of NPA Common Stock, the PIPE Investment or any Additional PIPE Investment and Forfeited Sponsor Stock (as described below)) (the “PubCo Units”), (ii) reclassify the existing AST common units (other than any existing AST common units (I) reserved for issuance under the AST 2019 Equity Incentive Plan (the “AST Incentive Plan”) or (II) subject to options to purchase existing AST common units granted pursuant to the AST Incentive Plan (the “AST Options” and each such existing AST common unit that is authorized under the AST Incentive Plan and/or subject to an AST Option, an “Existing AST Prior Incentive Equity Unit”), existing AST series A preferred units, and the existing AST series B preferred units into AST common units, and (iii) reclassify all of the Existing AST Prior Incentive Equity Units into AST incentive equity units, concurrently with and subject to adjustments to the AST Options affecting the number of units and exercise price (as applicable) thereof, following the Closing and (b) appoint PubCo as the managing member of AST; |
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● | As consideration for the PubCo Units, NPA will contribute to AST the amount held in the trust fund established for the benefit of our stockholders held in the trust account (the “Trust Account”), less the amount of cash required to fund the redemption of class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of NPA (the “NPA Class A Common Stock”) held by eligible stockholders who elect to have their shares redeemed as of the Closing, plus the aggregate proceeds from the PIPE Investment (defined below) and any additional PIPE investment (the “Additional PIPE Investment”), less the deferred underwriting commission payable to BTIG, LLC (the “Contribution Amount”). Immediately after the contribution of the Contribution Amount, AST will pay the amount of unpaid fees, commissions, costs or expenses that have been incurred by AST and NPA in connection with the Business Combination (the “Transaction Expenses”) by wire transfer of immediately available funds on behalf of AST and NPA to those persons to whom such amounts are owed; and |
● | Without any action on the part of any holder of a warrant to purchase one whole share of NPA Class A Common Stock (an “NPA Warrant”), each NPA Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing will be converted into a warrant to purchase one whole share of PubCo Class A Common Stock in accordance with its terms. |
Representations and Warranties, Covenants
Under the Equity Purchase Agreement, parties to the agreement made customary representations and warranties for transactions of this type regarding themselves. The representations and warranties made under the Equity Purchase Agreement will not survive the Closing. In addition, the parties to the Equity Purchase Agreement agreed to be bound by certain covenants that are customary for transactions of this type, including obligations of the parties to use commercially reasonable efforts to operate their respective businesses in the ordinary course, and to refrain from taking certain specified actions without the prior written consent of the applicable party, in each case, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications. Additionally, the parties have agreed not to solicit, negotiate or enter into a competing transaction and Sponsor has agreed to vote all shares owned by it in favor of the Business Combination. The covenants of the parties set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement will not survive the Closing, except for covenants and agreements that by their terms are to be performed in whole or in part after the Closing.
Termination
The Equity Purchase Agreement may be terminated under certain customary and limited circumstances at any time prior to the Closing, including, among others, the following: (i) by written notice from AST or NPA to the other party if the Closing has not occurred by March 15, 2021 (the deadline for NPA to consummate an initial business combination pursuant to its existing certificate of incorporation) or if, upon NPA stockholders’ approval, such deadline is extended to the date that is 90 days after the six-month anniversary of the Effective Date, such extended deadline (the “Outside Closing Date”); (ii) upon the applicable parties’ mutual written consent; (iii) by NPA or AST if the consummation of the Business Combination is prohibited by law; or (iv) by the non-breaching party if a NPA or AST materially breaches a representation, warranty, covenant or other agreement by such party that (a) results in the failure to satisfy a closing condition of the breaching party and that is incapable of being cured by the Outside Closing Date, or if capable of being cured by the Outside Closing date is not cured within 20 days of the non-breaching party notifying the breaching party of such breach. None of the parties to the Equity Purchase Agreement are required to pay a termination fee or reimburse any other party for its expenses as a result of a termination of the Equity Purchase Agreement.
Conditions to Each Party’s Obligations to Close
Under the Equity Purchase Agreement, the obligations of the parties to consummate the Business Combination are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions of the respective parties, including, without limitation: (a) the representations and warranties of the respective parties being true and correct subject to the materiality standards contained in the Equity Purchase Agreement; (b) material compliance by the parties of their respective pre-closing covenants and agreements, subject to the standards contained in the Equity Purchase Agreement; (c) the approval by NPA’s stockholders of the transactions contemplated by the Equity Purchase Agreement; (d) the absence of a Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Equity Purchase Agreement) since the Effective Date that is continuing and uncured; (e) NPA having at least $5,000,001 in tangible net assets immediately prior to the Closing; (f) NPA having no indebtedness; (g) PubCo remaining listed on Nasdaq and (h) the cash proceeds from the Trust Account, net of any amounts paid to NPA’s stockholders that exercise their redemption rights, plus the amounts raised in the PIPE Investment and any Additional PIPE Investment, equaling no less than $250,000,000 at the Closing.
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Sponsor Forfeiture
If, at the Closing, the amount in the Trust Account, and the amount raised in private transactions including any PIPE Investment or Additional PIPE Investment prior to the payment of any Transaction Expenses is less than $400,000,000, Sponsor and NPA will irrevocably terminate, forfeit and cancel, for no consideration and without further right, obligation or liability, a number of shares of Sponsor Stock (such terminated, forfeited and cancelled shares, the “Forfeited Sponsor Stock”) such that the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Sponsor Stock immediately prior to the Closing equals twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of issued and outstanding NPA Class A Common Stock and NPA Class B Common Stock (collectively, the “NPA Common Stock”) as of immediately prior to the Closing.
Agreements to be Entered into at Closing
At the Closing, the AST Existing Equityholders, PubCo and AST will enter into the A&R Operating Agreement.
At the Closing of the Business Combination, PubCo, AST, the AST Existing Equityholders and Thomas Severson in the capacity of “TRA Holder Representative” will enter into a Tax Receivable Agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”). Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, PubCo will generally be required to pay the applicable TRA Holders (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement) 85% of the amount of savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign taxes that are based on, or measured with respect to, net income or profits, and any interest related thereto that PubCo (and applicable consolidated, unitary, or combined subsidiaries thereof, if any) realizes, or is deemed to realize, as a result of certain tax attributes, including:
● | existing tax basis in certain assets of AST and certain of its direct or indirect Subsidiaries (as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement), including assets that will eventually be subject to depreciation or amortization, once placed in service, attributable to AST common units acquired by PubCo from a TRA Holder (including AST common units held by a Blocker Corporation acquired by PubCo in a Reorganization Transaction (each as defined in the Tax Receivable Agreement)), each as determined at the time of the relevant acquisition; |
● | tax basis adjustments resulting from taxable exchanges of AST common units (including any such adjustments resulting from certain payments made by PubCo under the Tax Receivable Agreement) acquired by PubCo from a TRA Holder pursuant to the terms of the A&R Operating Agreement; |
● | tax deductions in respect of portions of certain payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreement; and |
● | certain tax attributes of Blocker Corporations holding AST common units that are acquired directly or indirectly by PubCo pursuant to a Reorganization Transaction. |
In addition, at the Closing, PubCo will enter into (i) a Stockholders’ Agreement with the AST Existing Equityholders and the Sponsor (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”) and (ii) a Sponsor Voting Agreement with the Sponsor (the “Sponsor Voting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement and the Sponsor Voting Agreement, among other things, the AST Existing Equityholders and our Sponsor will respectively agree to vote each of their respective securities of PubCo that may be voted in the election of PubCo’s directors in accordance with the provisions of the Stockholders’ Agreement. At Closing, the PubCo Board of Directors (the “PubCo Board”) will initially consist of 13 directors, with three director seats being vacant. Abel Avellan will have the right, pursuant to the Stockholders’ Agreement, to designate directors for appointment to such vacancies at any time. Initially, Abel Avellan will have the right to nominate seven members of the PubCo Board and the AST Existing Equityholders and the Sponsor will respectively agree to vote for each of those nominees at each meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors. Additionally, Invesat, Vodafone, the Sponsor and American Tower will each have the right to nominate one member of the PubCo Board and Rakuten will have the right to nominate two members of the PubCo Board, and the AST Existing Equityholders and the Sponsor will respectively agree to vote for each of those nominees. The director designation rights of the AST Existing Equityholders, Sponsor and Abel Avellan will each fall away when certain conditions are met.
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A copy of the Equity Purchase Agreement is attached as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the Equity Purchase Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto. The Equity Purchase Agreement provides investors with information regarding its terms and is not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties. In particular, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties contained in the Equity Purchase Agreement were made as of the execution date of the Equity Purchase Agreement only and are qualified by information in confidential disclosure schedules provided by the parties in connection with the signing of the Equity Purchase Agreement. These disclosure schedules contain information that modifies, qualifies, and creates exceptions to the representations and warranties set forth in the Equity Purchase Agreement. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in the Equity Purchase Agreement may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters of fact. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties in the Equity Purchase Agreement as characterizations of the actual statements of fact about the parties.
Subscription Agreements
In connection with the execution of the Equity Purchase Agreement, on December 15, 2020, NPA entered into Subscription Agreements with certain investors (collectively, the “PIPE Investors”) pursuant to which, in connection with the Closing, such investors will purchase an aggregate of 23,000,000 shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock at $10.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $230,000,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements, the PIPE Investors have agreed to cooperate in good faith with NPA, AST and any governmental authority and take any and all actions required to satisfy applicable regulatory approvals and to consummate the Business Combination and the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreements, the PIPE Investors have agreed to waive any claims they may have at the Closing or in the future, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account, subject to certain exceptions as specified therein. The Subscription Agreements will be terminated, and be of no further force and effect, upon the earlier to occur of (i) such date and time as the Equity Purchase Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, (ii) upon the mutual written agreement of NPA, AST and the applicable PIPE Investor, (iii) if any of the conditions to closing set forth in the Subscription Agreements that are not waived by the PIPE Investors are not satisfied, or are not capable of being satisfied, on or prior to the Closing and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements are not and will not be consummated at the Closing, or (iv) 11:59 p.m. New York time on the Outside Closing Date.
A copy of the form of Subscription Agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference, and the foregoing description of the form of Subscription Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference thereto.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The disclosure set forth above under the headings “Equity Purchase Agreement – Business Combination” and “Subscription Agreements” in Item 1.01 of this Current Report are incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock to be issued to the PIPE Investors, the shares of PubCo Class B Common Stock to be issued to the AST Existing Equityholders and the shares of PubCo Class C Common Stock to be issued to Abel Avellan in connection with the Closing will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), as amended, in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On December 16, 2020, NPA issued a press release announcing the execution of the Equity Purchase Agreement. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.
Furnished as Exhibit 99.2 hereto and incorporated into this Item 7.01 by reference is the investor presentation that NPA has prepared for use in connection with various meetings and conferences with certain investors.
The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is being furnished and will not be deemed to be filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise be subject to the liabilities of that section, nor will it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
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Additional Information
NPA intends to file a preliminary proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the proposed Business Combination, NPA will mail the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Business Combination. It is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect to the proposed Business Combination. NPA’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, any amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with NPA’s solicitation of proxies for the special meeting to be held to approve the Business Combination as these materials will contain important information about AST and NPA and the proposed the Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of NPA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Such stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Participants in the Solicitation
NPA, Sponsor and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of NPA’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of NPA’s directors and officers in NPA’s filings with the SEC, including NPA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020, and such information and names of AST’s directors and executive officers will also be in the proxy statement of NPA for the Business Combination. Stockholders can obtain copies of NPA’s filings with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
AST and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from NPA’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination will be included in the proxy statement for the Business Combination when available.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer or securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact contained in this communication including, without limitation, statements regarding NPA’s or AST’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations; anticipated financial impacts of the Business Combination; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Business Combination; and the timing of the completion of the Business Combination, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available.
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These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside NPA’s and AST’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Equity Purchase Agreement or could otherwise cause the Business Combination to fail to close; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NPA and AST following the execution of the Equity Purchase Agreement and the Business Combination; (iii) any inability to complete the Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of NPA or other conditions to closing in the Equity Purchase Agreement; (iv) the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party for an alternative business transaction that could interfere with the Business Combination; (v) the inability to maintain the listing of the shares of common stock of the post-acquisition company on The Nasdaq Stock Market following the Business Combination; (vi) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (vii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (viii) costs related to the Business Combination; (ix) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (x) the possibility that AST or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (xi) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the proxy statement, including those under the section entitled “Risk Factors”, and in NPA’s other filings with the SEC.
NPA cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. NPA cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of NPA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. NPA’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, NPA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
† | Certain of the exhibits and schedules to this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(2). NPA agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of all omitted exhibits and schedules to the SEC upon its request. |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: December 15, 2020 | NEW PROVIDENCE ACQUISITION CORP. | |
By: |
/s/ James Bradley |
|
Name: | James Bradley | |
Title: |
Chief
Financial Officer
Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |
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Exhibit 2.1
Final Form
CONFIDENTIAL
EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT
dated
December 15, 2020
by and among
AST & Science LLC,
New Providence Acquisition Corp.,
new providence management llc,
THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS LISTED ON ANNEX A,
AND
THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDER REPRESENTATIVE.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||
Article I DEFINITIONS | 2 | |
Article II PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS | 18 | |
2.1 | Existing Company Unit Re-classification; Purchase and Sale of Common Units; Conversion of Buyer Stock; Issuance of PubCo Stock | 18 |
2.2 | Treatment of Company Options | 19 |
2.3 | Buyer Warrants | 19 |
2.4 | Directors and Officers of PubCo | 19 |
2.5 | Closing; Closing Date | 19 |
2.6 | Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action | 20 |
2.7 | Withholding | 20 |
Article III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS | 20 | |
3.1 | Corporate Existence and Power | 20 |
3.2 | Authorization | 21 |
3.3 | Title to the Existing Company Units | 21 |
3.4 | Non-Contravention | 21 |
3.5 | Litigation | 21 |
3.6 | Finders Fees | |
Article IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY | 22 | |
4.1 | Corporate Existence and Power | 22 |
4.2 | Authorization | 22 |
4.3 | Governmental Authorization | 23 |
4.4 | Non-Contravention | 23 |
4.5 | Capital Structure | 23 |
4.6 | Assumed Names | 24 |
4.7 | Consents | 24 |
4.8 | Financial Statements | 25 |
4.9 | Internal Controls | 26 |
4.10 | Absence of Certain Changes | 26 |
4.11 | Properties; Title to the Company Group’s Assets | 26 |
4.12 | Litigation | 27 |
4.13 | Contracts | 27 |
4.14 | Licenses and Permits | 29 |
4.15 | Compliance with Laws | 29 |
4.16 | Intellectual Property | 29 |
4.17 | Information Technology and Data Matters | 31 |
4.18 | Material Commercial Relationships | 31 |
4.19 | Employees | 32 |
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4.20 | Employment Benefit Plans | 33 |
4.21 | Real Property | 35 |
4.22 | Tax Matters | 35 |
4.23 | Environmental Laws | 37 |
4.24 | Finders’ Fees | 38 |
4.25 | Insurance | 38 |
4.26 | Affiliate Arrangements | 38 |
4.27 | Certain Business Practices | 38 |
4.28 | Trade Controls | 39 |
4.29 | Money Laundering Laws | 39 |
4.30 | Not an Investment Company | 39 |
4.31 | FCC Matters | 39 |
4.32 | EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 40 |
Article V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER | 41 | |
5.1 | Corporate Existence and Power | 41 |
5.2 | Corporate Authorization | 41 |
5.3 | Governmental Authorization | 41 |
5.4 | Non-Contravention | 42 |
5.5 | Finders’ Fees | 42 |
5.6 | Issuance of Stock | 42 |
5.7 | Capitalization | 42 |
5.8 | Trust Account; Financial Capacity | 43 |
5.9 | Listing | 44 |
5.10 | Board Approval | 44 |
5.11 | Buyer SEC Documents and Financial Statements; Internal Controls | 45 |
5.12 | Litigation | 47 |
5.13 | Business Activities; Absence of Changes | 47 |
5.14 | Compliance with Laws | 48 |
5.15 | Money Laundering Laws | 48 |
5.16 | Not an Investment Company | 48 |
5.17 | Tax Matters | 48 |
5.18 | Transactions with Affiliates | 49 |
5.19 | PIPE | 49 |
5.20 | Proxy Statements | 50 |
5.21 | Takeover Statutes and Charter Provisions | 50 |
5.22 | Property | 50 |
5.23 | Material Contracts; Defaults | 50 |
5.24 | Independent Investigation | 51 |
5.25 | EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 51 |
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Article VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPONSOR | 52 | |
6.1 | Corporate Existence and Power | 52 |
6.2 | Authorization | 52 |
6.3 | Sponsor Ownership | 53 |
6.4 | Non-Contravention | 53 |
6.5 | Litigation | 53 |
6.6 | Finders Fees | 53 |
Article VII COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND BUYER | 54 | |
7.1 | Conduct of the Business of the Company | 54 |
7.2 | Conduct of the Business of Buyer | 56 |
7.3 | No Solicitation; Support | 59 |
7.4 | Access to Information | 61 |
7.5 | Notices of Certain Events | 62 |
7.6 | SEC Filings; Buyer Special Meeting | 62 |
7.7 | Trust Account | 65 |
7.8 | PIPE Investment | 65 |
7.9 | Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance | 65 |
7.10 | Efforts; Further Assurances | 66 |
7.11 | Tax Matters | 67 |
7.12 | Buyer Filings and Nasdaq Listing | 69 |
7.13 | Sponsor Forfeitures | 69 |
7.14 | Communications License Matters | 70 |
7.15 | Extension of Time Period to Consummate a Business Combination | 70 |
Article VIII CONDITIONS TO CLOSING | 73 | |
8.1 | Condition to the Obligations of the Parties | 73 |
8.2 | Conditions to Obligations of Buyer | 73 |
8.3 | Conditions to Obligations of the Company | 75 |
Article IX TERMINATION | 75 | |
9.1 | Termination | 75 |
9.2 | Effect of Termination; Survival | 77 |
Article X MISCELLANEOUS | 77 | |
10.1 | Notices | 77 |
10.2 | Amendments; Waivers; Remedies. | 78 |
10.3 | Arm’s Length Bargaining; No Presumption Against Drafter | 79 |
10.4 | Publicity | 79 |
10.5 | Expenses | 79 |
10.6 | No Assignment or Delegation | 79 |
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Page | ||
10.7 | Governing Law | 80 |
10.8 | Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures | 80 |
10.9 | Entire Agreement | 80 |
10.10 | Severability | 80 |
10.11 | Construction of Certain Terms and References; Captions | 80 |
10.12 | Third Party Beneficiaries | 82 |
10.13 | Trust Account Waiver | 82 |
10.14 | No Recourse | 83 |
10.15 | General Release | 83 |
10.16 | Submission to Jurisdiction | 84 |
10.17 | Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants | 84 |
10.18 | Enforcement | 85 |
10.19 | Schedules and Exhibits | 85 |
10.20 | Waiver of Jury Trial; Exemplary Damages | 85 |
10.21 | Waiver of Conflicts | 86 |
10.22 | Existing Equityholder Representative | 86 |
Annexes | ||
Annex A | - | Existing Equityholders |
Exhibits | ||
Exhibit A | - | Form of A&R Operating Agreement |
Exhibit B | - | A&R Certificate of Incorporation |
Exhibit C | - | Buyer A&R Bylaws |
Exhibit D | - | Form of Tax Receivable Agreement |
Exhibit E | - | Form of Stockholders’ Agreement |
Exhibit F | Form of Voting Agreement | |
Exhibit G | - | Form of Registration Rights Agreement |
Exhibit H | - | Subscription Agreements |
Exhibit I | - | AST SpaceMobile Inc. 2020 Incentive Award Plan |
Exhibit J | - | AST SpaceMobile Inc. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan |
Schedules | ||
Schedule I | - | Common Units Pro Forma Ownership |
Schedule II | - | Voting Units Pro Forma Ownership |
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EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This EQUITY PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), dated as of December 15, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by and among (i) AST & Science LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), (ii) solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X, the existing equityholders of the Company set forth on Annex A hereto (the “Existing Equityholders”), (iii) New Providence Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (prior to the Closing, “Buyer”, and from and after the Closing, “PubCo”), (iv) solely for the purposes of Section 2.6, Article VI, Section 7.3(c), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.13, Section 9.2 and Article X, New Providence Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), and (v) Abel Avellan (“Avellan”), as the Existing Equityholder Representative (as defined below).
W I T N E S E T H:
A. The Company directly and indirectly through its Subsidiaries is in the business of satellite design, manufacture and operation, including the development, manufacture and distribution of a constellation of low earth orbit satellites designed to enable global communications using mobile network operator spectrums without hardware or software modification to existing cellphone technologies (the “Business”);
B. Buyer is a blank check company formed for the sole purpose of entering into a share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities;
C. At the Closing, the Existing Equityholders, Buyer and the Company will enter into a Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “A&R Operating Agreement”) to, among other things, (1) restructure the capitalization of the Company at the Closing to (x) authorize the issuance of Common Units to Buyer, (y) re-classify the Existing Company Units held by the Existing Equityholders into Common Units as contemplated in this Agreement and the A&R Operating Agreement and (z) maintain each Company Option (whether vested or unvested), as outstanding and subject to the Company Option Plan and the A&R Operating Agreement and (2) appoint Buyer as the managing member of the Company;
D. At the Closing, Buyer will (1) amend and restate its Certificate of Incorporation with the Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “A&R Certificate of Incorporation”) to, among other things, (x) convert all then-outstanding shares of Buyer Class B Common Stock held by Sponsor (the “Sponsor Shares”) into shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock, (y) authorize the issuance of PubCo Class B Common Stock and PubCo Class C Common Stock and (z) change the name of Buyer to “AST SpaceMobile Inc.” and (2) replace its existing bylaws by adopting the bylaws attached hereto as Exhibit C (the “Buyer A&R By-laws”);
E. At the Closing, the Existing Equityholders, the Company and Buyer will enter into the Tax Receivable Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”);
F. At the Closing, (1) the Existing Equityholders, Sponsor and Buyer will enter into the Stockholders’ Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), (2) Sponsor and Buyer will enter into the Voting Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F (the “Voting Agreement”) and (3) the Existing Equityholders, Sponsor and Buyer will enter into the Registration Rights Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit G (the “Registration Rights Agreement”);
G. Concurrently with entering into this Agreement and effective as of and conditioned upon the Closing, Buyer is entering into the subscription agreements attached hereto as Exhibit H (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain third-party investors (the “PIPE Investors”) pursuant to which the PIPE Investors have committed to make private investments in public equity in the form of PubCo Class A Common Stock in an aggregate amount of $230 million (the “PIPE Investment”); and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth above, which are incorporated in this Agreement as if fully set forth below, and the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties accordingly agree as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
1.1 “$” means U.S. dollars, the legal currency of the United States.
1.2 “A&R Certificate of Incorporation” has the meaning set forth in paragraph D of the recitals.
1.3 “A&R Operating Agreement” has the meaning set forth in paragraph C of the recitals.
1.4 “Action” means any legal action, suit, investigation, inquiry, grievance, hearing, arbitration or proceeding (including any civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or appellate proceeding), including any audit, claim or assessment for Taxes or otherwise, in each case by or before an Authority.
1.5 “Additional Agreements” means the A&R Operating Agreement, the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Stockholders’ Agreement, Voting Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Subscription Agreements.
1.6 “Additional Buyer SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a).
1.7 “Additional PIPE Investment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
1.8 “Additional PIPE Investment Cap” means an amount equal to (a) $400,000,001, minus (b) the amount of immediately-available cash of Buyer immediately prior to the Closing held in Buyer’s Trust Account following the completion of all Buyer Stock Redemptions, minus (c) the aggregate amount of proceeds to be received in the PIPE Investment.
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1.9 “Additional Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.10 “Adjournment Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.11 “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly Controlling, Controlled by, or under common Control with such Person. For avoidance of any doubt, with respect to all periods subsequent to the Closing, Buyer will be an Affiliate of the Company.
1.12 “Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.13 “Alternative Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
1.14 “Alternative Transaction” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3.
1.15 “Anti-Corruption Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.27.
1.16 “Audited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).
1.17 “Authority” means any nation or government, any state, province or other political subdivision thereof, any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government, including any court, arbitrator (public or private) or other body or administrative, regulatory or quasi-judicial authority, agency, department, board, commission or instrumentality of any federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction.
1.18 “Avellan” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.19 “Award Plan Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.20 “Balance Sheet Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).
1.21 “Blocker Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the A&R Operating Agreement.
1.22 “Books and Records” means, with respect to any Person, all books and records, ledgers, employee records, customer lists, files, correspondence, and other records of every kind (whether written, electronic, or otherwise embodied) owned or used by such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or in which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries’ assets, the business or its transactions are otherwise reflected.
1.23 “Business” has the meaning set forth in paragraph A of the recitals.
1.24 “Business Combination” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c)(ii).
1.25 “Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a legal holiday on which commercial banking institutions in New York are authorized to close for business.
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1.26 “Buyer” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.27 “Buyer A&R By-laws” has the meaning set forth in paragraph D of the recitals.
1.28 “Buyer Actual Cash Amount” means the amount of immediately-available cash of the Buyer immediately prior to the Closing, (i) held in the Buyer’s Trust Account following the completion of all Buyer Stock Redemptions, and (ii) raised in private transactions including any PIPE Investment and Additional PIPE Investment, in each case of clauses (i) and (ii), prior to the payment of any Transaction Expenses pursuant to Section 2.1(c).
1.29 “Buyer Board” means the board of directors of Buyer.
1.30 “Buyer Board Recommendation” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(g).
1.31 “Buyer Class A Common Stock” means the shares of class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Buyer, prior to the effectiveness of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
1.32 “Buyer Class B Common Stock” means the shares of class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Buyer, prior to the effectiveness of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
1.33 “Buyer Common Stock” means, collectively, the Buyer Class A Common Stock and the Buyer Class B Common Stock.
1.34 “Buyer D&O Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a).
1.35 “Buyer Extension Approval” means, the approval of the Extension Proposal identified in Section 7.15(a) by an affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty five percent (65%) of the outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock entitled to vote (as determined in accordance with the Buyer’s Organizational Documents) at a stockholders’ meeting duly called by the Buyer Board and held for such purpose.
1.36 “Buyer Extension Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.15(d).
1.37 “Buyer Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(b).
1.38 “Buyer Governmental Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
1.39 “Buyer Impairment Effect” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
1.40 “Buyer Material Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.23(a).
1.41 “Buyer Post-Closing Representation” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.21(a).
1.42 “Buyer Prepared Returns” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(a).
1.43 “Buyer Related Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.18.
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1.44 “Buyer SEC Documents” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.11(a).
1.45 “Buyer Special Meeting” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.46 “Buyer Stock Redemption” means the election of an eligible holder of Buyer Common Stock (as determined in accordance with the applicable Buyer’s Organizational Documents and the Investment Management Trust Agreement) to redeem all or a portion of such holder’s Buyer Common Stock, at the per-share price, payable in cash, equal to such holder’s pro rata share of the Trust Account (as determined in accordance with the applicable Buyer’s Organizational Documents and the Investment Management Trust Agreement) in connection with the Closing or any Extension Proposal.
1.47 “Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.48 “Buyer Unit” means a unit of Buyer comprised of one share of Buyer Class A Common Stock and one-half of one Buyer Warrant.
1.49 “Buyer Warrant” means each warrant to purchase one whole share of Buyer Class A Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share.
1.50 “CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Pub. L. 116-136) and any administrative or other guidance published with respect thereto by any Authority.
1.51 “CBA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(a)(iii).
1.52 “Charter Proposals” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.53 “Clearance Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(g).
1.54 “Closing” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
1.55 “Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5.
1.56 “Closing Date Contribution Amount” means, as of immediately prior to the Closing, an aggregate amount equal to the sum of (without duplication), (a) an amount equal to (1) the amount of cash in the Trust Account, less (2) the required amount of cash taken from the Trust Account to fund any Buyer Stock Redemptions plus (b) the aggregate proceeds received by Buyer from the PIPE Investment and any Additional PIPE Investment less (c) the Deferred Underwriting Commission payable to BTIG, LLC.
1.57 “Closing Form 8-K” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(c).
1.58 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.59 “Common Units” means the “Common Units” of the Company (as defined in the A&R Operating Agreement).
1.60 “Communications Act” means the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.
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1.61 “Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.62 “Company Affiliate Arrangement” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.26.
1.63 “Company Balance Sheet” means the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of September 30, 2020 attached in Schedule 4.8(a).
1.64 “Company D&O Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a).
1.65 “Company Disclosure Schedules” has the meaning set forth in Article IV.
1.66 “Company Governmental Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
1.67 “Company Group” means the Company and its Subsidiaries.
1.68 “Company Group Consent” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.7.
1.69 “Company Impairment Effect” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3.
1.70 “Company Material Adverse Effect” means an event, occurrence, fact, condition or change that has, or would reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on the condition, business or operations of the Company Group, taken as a whole, provided, however, that “Company Material Adverse Effect” shall not include or take into account any event, occurrence, fact, condition or change, directly or indirectly, arising out of or attributable to: (i) general economic or political conditions; (ii) conditions generally affecting the industries in which the Company Group operates; (iii) any changes in financial, banking or securities markets in general, including any disruption thereof and any decline in the price of any security or any market index or any change in prevailing interest rates, or currency exchange rates, monetary policy or fiscal policy; (iv) acts of war (whether or not declared), armed hostilities or terrorism, and any pandemic, epidemics or human health crises (including COVID-19, or any COVID-19 Measures or any change in such COVID-19 Measures or interpretations thereof); (v) any action required by this Agreement or any action taken (or omitted to be taken) with the written consent of or at the written request of Buyer; (vi) changes in U.S. GAAP and interpretations thereof, or any changes in applicable Law; (vii) the announcement, pendency or completion of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than with respect to Section 4.4 and Section 4.7; (viii) any natural or man-made disaster or acts of God; or (ix) any failure by the Company Group to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions (provided that the underlying causes of such failures (subject to the other provisions of this definition) shall not be excluded if not otherwise falling within any of clauses (i) though (viii) above), except, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii), and (viii), to the extent such event, occurrence, fact, condition or change materially and disproportionately affects the Company Group, taken as a whole, relative to other companies in the industries in which the Company Group operates (in which case only the incremental material and disproportionate impact will be taken into account in determining whether there has been a Company Material Adverse Effect).
1.71 “Company Option” means each outstanding option to purchase Existing Company Common Units granted pursuant to the Company Option Plan or otherwise.
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1.72 “Company Option Plan” means the Company 2019 Equity Incentive Plan.
1.73 “Company Released Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).
1.74 “Company Releasee” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).
1.75 “Company Releasees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).
1.76 “Company Releasor” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).
1.77 “Company Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(a).
1.78 “Computer Systems” means the computer hardware, Software, systems, and information technology infrastructure (including telecommunications) controlled, owned, licensed or leased by the Company Group in the operation of the Business.
1.79 “Confidentiality Agreement” means the Mutual Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of September 18, 2020, by and between the Company and Buyer.
1.80 “Consent” means any consent, approval, clearance, authorization or other similar actions.
1.81 “Contracts” means all legally-binding contracts, agreements, notes, indentures, leases, licenses and sublicenses, commitments, undertakings, whether oral or written.
1.82 “Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by Contract or otherwise; and the terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” shall have the meaning correlative to the foregoing.
1.83 “COVID-19” means SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19, and any evolutions or mutations thereof or related or associate epidemics, pandemic or disease outbreaks.
1.84 “COVID-19 Measures” means any quarantine, “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut down, closure, sequester, safety or similar Law, directive, guidelines or recommendations promulgated by any Authority, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, in connection with or in response to COVID-19, including the CARES Act and Families First Act.
1.85 “D&O Indemnified Persons” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.9(a).
1.86 “Data Security Requirements” means the following, in each case to the extent relating to the conduct of the Business: (a) all Privacy Laws and security Laws and other applicable Laws and any related security breach notification requirements; (b) the Company Group’s own respective rules, policies, and procedures regarding any personal information accessed, collected, stored, shared, secured, distributed, transferred, destroyed, processed or used by the Company Group; (c) industry standards applicable to the industries in which any member of the Company Group operates and PCI-DSS; and (d) Contracts to which any member of the Company Group is bound regarding any personal information accessed, collected, stored, shared, secured, distributed, transferred, destroyed, processed or used by the Company Group.
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1.87 “Deferred Underwriting Commission” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Underwriting Agreement, dated September 10, 2019, by and between Buyer and BTIG, LLC.
1.88 “DGCL” means the Delaware General Corporate Law.
1.89 “Director Election Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.90 “Disabling Code” means computer code or other mechanism of any kind designed to disrupt, disable or harm in any manner the operation of any Software or hardware or Computer System or to misuse, gain unauthorized access to or misappropriate any business or personal information, including worms, bombs, backdoors, clocks, timers, or other disabling device code, or designs or routines that cause Software or information to be erased, inoperable, or otherwise incapable of being used, either automatically, with passage of time or upon command.
1.91 “Disclosure Schedules” has the meaning set forth in Article V.
1.92 “EDGAR” means the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system.
1.93 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.94 “Employee Benefit Plan” means each “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA), each pension, retirement, profit-sharing, savings, health, welfare, post-employment welfare, bonus, incentive, commission, stock option, equity or equity-based, deferred compensation, severance, retention, accident, disability, employment, change of control, stock purchase, restricted stock, separation, consulting, vacation paid time off, fringe benefit and each other benefit or compensatory plan, program, policy Contract or arrangement that any member of the Company Group maintains, sponsors or contributes to, is required to contribute to or under or with respect to which any member of the Company Group has any Liability, but excluding in each case any statutory plan, program or arrangement that is required under applicable law and maintained by any Authority.
1.95 “Environmental Laws” means all applicable Laws relating to pollution or the protection of the environment, the use, storage, handling, release or disposal of, or exposure to any Hazardous Materials, occupational safety and health, or to the protection of human health as it relates to the use, storage, handling, release or disposal of or exposure to any Hazardous Materials.
1.96 “Equity” means, with respect to any Person, any capital stock, membership interests, other share capital, equity or ownership interest or other security of or held by such Person.
1.97 “ESPP Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.98 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
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1.99 “Existing Company Common Units” means the “Common Shares” of the Company (as defined in the Existing Company LLCA).
1.100 “Existing Company Incentive Units” means the “Incentive Shares” of the Company (as defined in the Existing Company LLCA).
1.101 “Existing Company LLCA” means the Fourth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of the Company, effective as of February 4, 2020.
1.102 “Existing Company Series A Preferred Units” means the “Series A Preferred Shares” of the Company (as defined in the Existing Company LLCA), prior to the effectiveness of the A&R Operating Agreement.
1.103 “Existing Company Series B Preferred Units” means the “Series B Preferred Shares” of the Company (as defined in the Existing Company LLCA), prior to the effectiveness of the A&R Operating Agreement.
1.104 “Existing Company Units” means, collectively, the Existing Company Common Units, the Existing Company Series A Preferred Units, the Existing Company Series B Preferred Units and the Existing Company Incentive Units.
1.105 “Existing Equityholder Post-Closing Representation” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.21(b).
1.106 “Existing Equityholder Prepared Returns” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(a).
1.107 “Existing Equityholder Representative” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.22(a).
1.108 “Existing Equityholders” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.109 “Experimental License” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.14(a)(i).
1.110 “Extension Approval End Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.15(a).
1.111 “Extension Proposals” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.15(a).
1.112 “Extension Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.15(a).
1.113 “FCC” means the Federal Communications Commission.
1.114 “FCC Applications” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.31.
1.115 “FCC Consent” means the FCC’s consent to the FCC Transfer Application pursuant to the FCC’s initial order without any material adverse conditions other than those of general applicability to a change of control transaction.
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1.116 “FCC Licenses” means all licenses, permits and other authorizations issued to the Company or any of its Affiliates by the FCC.
1.117 “FCC Transfer Application” means an application with the FCC requesting FCC consent to the transfer of control of the Company with respect to the FCC Licenses.
1.118 “FCPA” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.27.
1.119 “Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).
1.120 “Flow-Thru Entity” means any entity, plan or arrangement that is treated for income Tax purposes as a partnership.
1.121 “Flow-Thru Tax Returns” means income Tax Returns of the Company or its Subsidiaries for which the items of income, deductions, credits, gains or losses are passed through to the direct or indirect equityholders of the applicable entity under applicable Tax Law (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Form 1065 of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries).
1.122 “Forfeited Sponsor Shares” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.13.
1.123 “Fraud” means, with respect to any Person, an actual and intentional fraud by such Person with respect to the making of representations and warranties contained in this Agreement by such Person and not with respect to any other matters; provided that, such actual and intentional fraud of such Person hereto specifically excludes any statement, representation or omission made negligently or recklessly and shall only be deemed to exist if (i) such Person had knowledge that the representations and warranties made by such Person were inaccurate when made, (ii) that such representations and warranties were made with the express intent to induce the other Person to rely thereon and that such other Person would take action or inaction to such other Person’s detriment, (iii) such reliance and subsequent action or inaction by such other Person was justifiable and (iv) such action or inaction resulted in actual material damages to such other Person.
1.124 “Governmental Approvals” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3.
1.125 “Hazardous Material” means any pollutants, contaminants, wastes, or other materials or substances that are regulated or for which liability or standards of conduct may be imposed under any Environmental Law, and shall include without limitation oil, petroleum, petroleum-derived substances, radiation and radioactive materials, noise, odors, mold and microbial matter, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, urea formaldehyde, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and asbestos or any materials containing asbestos.
1.126 “Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money (including amounts by reason of overdrafts and amounts owed by reason of letter of credit reimbursement agreements) including with respect thereto, all interests, fees and costs and prepayment and other penalties, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property purchased by such Person, (d) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than accounts payable to creditors for goods and services incurred in the ordinary course of business), (e) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any lien or security interest on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (f) all obligations of such Person under leases required to be accounted for as capital leases under U.S. GAAP (as defined below), other than any lease obligations which would not have been capitalized under U.S. GAAP before the implementation of ASC 842 and (g) all guarantees of obligations described in clauses (a) through (f) by such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, the Deferred Underwriting Commission shall not be deemed Indebtedness.
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1.127 “Insurance Policies” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.25.
1.128 “Intellectual Property” means (together with all rights in or to) all of the following, anywhere in the world: any (a) trademark, service mark, trade name, domain names, trade dress, URLs, social media accounts, logos and other source identifiers, including registration thereof or application for registration therefor, together with the goodwill symbolized by any of the foregoing, (b) patent, patent application (including provisional applications), statutory invention registrations, including all divisionals, continuations, continuations-in-part, renewals, reissues, extensions, certificates of reexamination, utility models and supplementary protection certificates, (c) invention disclosures, trade secret, know-how (clause (c), collectively, “Trade Secrets”), (d) formulae, methods, processes, protocols, specifications, techniques, and other forms of technology (whether or not embodied in any tangible form and including all tangible embodiments of the foregoing, such as laboratory notebooks, samples, studies and summaries), (e) rights in Software, (f) published and unpublished works of authorship, whether copyrightable or not, moral rights and mask works, copyright, copyright registration, application for copyright registration, and any (g) other type of proprietary intellectual property right.
1.129 “Intended Tax Treatment” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.11(e).
1.130 “Internal Controls” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.9(a).
1.131 “Investment Company Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
1.132 “Investment Management Trust Agreement” means the investment management trust agreement, dated September 13, 2019, by and between Buyer and the Trustee.
1.133 “IPO” means the initial public offering of Buyer pursuant to the Prospectus.
1.134 “K&E” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.21(a).
1.135 “L&W” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.21(b).
1.136 “Law” means any domestic or foreign, federal, state, municipality or local law, statute, ordinance, code, common law, act or treaty of any applicable Authority, including rule or regulation promulgated thereunder.
1.137 “Leases” means the leases for Real Property of the Company Group, together with all fixtures and improvements erected on the premises leased thereby.
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1.138 “Liabilities” means any and all liabilities, debts or obligations of any nature (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise, whether known or unknown, whether direct or indirect, whether matured or unmatured and whether due or to become due).
1.139 “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, license, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, and any conditional sale or voting agreement or proxy, including any agreement to give any of the foregoing.
1.140 “Material Commercial Relationships” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).
1.141 “Material Contract” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.13(b).
1.142 “Material Suppliers” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).
1.143 “Mobile Partners” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.18(a).
1.144 “Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.29.
1.145 “Nasdaq” means The Nasdaq Capital Market LLC.
1.146 “Nasdaq Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.147 “Net Outstanding Buyer Shares” means a number equal to (a) the number of shares of Buyer Common Stock outstanding as of the date of this Agreement, plus (b) the number of shares of PubCo Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to the PIPE Investment, plus (c) the number of shares of Class A Common Stock issued pursuant to any Additional PIPE Investment on the Closing Date, minus (d) the number of shares of Buyer Common Stock redeemed as of the Closing Date pursuant to the Buyer Stock Redemptions, minus (e) if applicable, any Forfeited Sponsor Shares that are canceled pursuant to Section 7.13.
1.148 “New Buyer Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c)(i).
1.149 “Non-Recourse Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.14.
1.150 “Open Source Software” means all Software, documentation or other material that is distributed as “free software”, “open source software” or under a similar licensing or distribution model, including the GNU General Public License (GPL), GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), Mozilla Public License (MPL), or any other license described by the Open Source Initiative as set forth on www.opensource.org.
1.151 “Order” means any decree, order, judgment, ruling, writ, judicial or arbitral award, injunction, verdict, determination, binding decision, rule or consent of or by an Authority.
1.152 “Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement” means any written commercial agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business the principal subject matter of which is not Tax but which contains customary Tax indemnification provisions.
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1.153 “Organizational Documents” means, with respect to any Person, its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, operating or limited liability company agreement, limited partnership agreement, memorandum and articles of association or similar organizational documents, in each case, as amended.
1.154 “Outside Closing Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1(c).
1.155 “Owned Intellectual Property” means all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by any member of the Company Group.
1.156 “Payroll Tax Executive Order” means the Presidential Memorandum on Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster, as issued on August 8, 2020 and including any administrative or other guidance published with respect thereto by any Authority (including IRS Notice 2020-65).
1.157 “PDR” means the Petition for Declaratory Ruling in the matter of AST & Science LLC filed by the Company on April 9, 2020 with the FCC, as amended.
1.158 “Permits” means all permits, licenses, authorizations, Consents, registrations, concessions, grants, franchises, certificates, waivers and filings issued or required by any Authority under applicable Law.
1.159 “Permitted Liens” means (i) all defects, exceptions, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, rights of way encumbrances and other similar matters affecting title to any Real Property and other title defects which do not materially impair the use or occupancy of such Real Property or the operation of the Business; (ii) mechanics’, carriers’, workers’, repairers’ and similar statutory Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business for amounts (A) that are not delinquent, (B) that are not material to the business, operations and financial condition of the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries so encumbered, either individually or in the aggregate, and (C) that do not result from a breach, default or violation by the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries of any Contract or Law; (iii) Liens for Taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies which are not yet due and payable or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings (provided appropriate reserves required pursuant to U.S. GAAP have been made in respect thereof); (iv) zoning, building codes and other land use Laws regulating the use or occupancy of the Real Property or the activities conducted thereon which are imposed by any governmental Authority having jurisdiction over any Real Property which are not violated by the current use or occupancy of such Real Property other than any violations that would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group; (v) ordinary course purchase money Liens and Liens securing rental payments under operating or capital lease arrangements for amounts not yet due or payable; (vi) non-exclusive licenses to Intellectual Property granted in the ordinary course of business; and (vii) other Liens arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business that would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group.
1.160 “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership (including a general partnership, limited partnership or limited liability partnership), limited liability company, association, trust or other entity or organization, including a government, domestic or foreign, or political subdivision thereof, or an agency or instrumentality thereof.
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1.161 “PIPE Investment” has the meaning set forth in the paragraph G of the recitals.
1.162 “PIPE Investors” has the meaning set forth in paragraph G of the recitals.
1.163 “Pre-Closing Tax Period” means any taxable period ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion of any Straddle Period ending on and including the Closing Date.
1.164 “Privacy Laws” means HIPAA, the HITECH Act, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, the California Consumer Privacy Protection Act, and any similar or analogous federal, state or foreign Laws relating to the access, collection, storage, sharing, securing, distribution, transfer, destruction, processing and use of personal information (including any security breach notification requirements and Laws), in each case, to the extent applicable to the Business.
1.165 “Prospectus” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.13.
1.166 “Proxy Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.167 “PubCo” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.168 “PubCo Class A Common Stock” means the shares of class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo as set forth in the A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
1.169 “PubCo Class B Common Stock” means the shares of class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo as set forth in the A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
1.170 “PubCo Class C Common Stock” means the shares of class C common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of PubCo as set forth in the A&R Certificate of Incorporation.
1.171 “PubCo Issued Stock” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(f).
1.172 “PubCo Warrant” means warrants for PubCo Class A Common Stock (which shall be in the identical form of the Buyer Warrants, but in the name of the PubCo).
1.173 “Qualified Blocker Corporation” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(b)(iv).
1.174 “Qualified Transferee” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(b)(iv).
1.175 “Real Property” means, collectively, all real properties and interests therein (including the right to use), together with all buildings, fixtures, trade fixtures, plant and other improvements located thereon or attached thereto.
1.176 “Registration Rights Agreement” has the meaning set forth in paragraph F of the recitals.
1.177 “Related Claim” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.16(a).
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1.178 “Remedies Exception” means bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar Laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability to general equity principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
1.179 “Representatives” means, with respect to a Person, such Person’s directors, officers, employees, advisors, agents, consultants, attorneys, accountants, investment bankers or other representatives of such Person.
1.180 “Required Buyer Stockholder Approval” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1(b).
1.181 “Sanctioned Country” means any country or region that is, or has been in the last five years, the subject or target of a comprehensive embargo under Trade Controls (including Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and the Crimea region of Ukraine).
1.182 “Sanctioned Person” means any Person that is the subject or target of sanctions or restrictions under Trade Controls, including: (i) any Person listed on any applicable U.S. or non-U.S. sanctions- or export-related restricted party list, including the U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (“OFAC”) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List; (ii) any entity that is, in the aggregate, fifty percent (50%) or greater owned, directly or indirectly, or otherwise controlled by a Person or Persons described in clause (i); or (iii) any national of a Sanctioned Country.
1.183 “Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
1.184 “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.185 “Securities” means, with respect to any Person, (i) any securities (including debt securities) directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Equity or securities containing any profit participation features, (ii) any rights, warrants or options directly or indirectly to subscribe for or to purchase any Equity or securities containing any profit participation features, or to subscribe for or to purchase any securities (including debt securities) convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any Equity or securities containing any profit participation features, (iii) any share appreciation rights, phantom share rights, other rights the value of which is linked to the value of any securities or interests referred to in clauses (i) through (ii) above or other similar rights or (iv) any securities (including debt securities) issued or issuable with respect to the securities or interests referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
1.186 “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.
1.187 “Software” means all computer software, including all source code, object or executable code, firmware, software compilations, software implementations of algorithms, software tool sets, compilers, application programming interfaces, data, databases, software models and methodologies, development tools, and programmer comments and annotations, documentation and data relating to the foregoing.
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1.188 “Specified Courts” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.16(a).
1.189 “Sponsor” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
1.190 “Sponsor Released Claims” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(b).
1.191 “Sponsor Releasee” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(b).
1.192 “Sponsor Releasees” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(b).
1.193 “Sponsor Releasor” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(b).
1.194 “Sponsor Releasors” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.15(b).
1.195 “Sponsor Securities” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.
1.196 “Sponsor Shares” has the meaning set forth in paragraph D of the recitals.
1.197 “Sponsor Voting Letter Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(c)(iii).
1.198 “Stockholders’ Agreement” has the meaning set forth in paragraph F of the recitals.
1.199 “Straddle Period” means any taxable period that begins on or before (but does not end on) the Closing Date.
1.200 “Subscription Agreements” has the meaning set forth in paragraph G of the recitals.
1.201 “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means (i) one or more entities of which at least fifty percent (50%) of the capital stock or share capital or other equity or voting securities are Controlled or owned, directly or indirectly, by the respective Person and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, joint venture or other entity of which the respective Person or any Subsidiary is a general partner, manager, managing member or the equivalent.
1.202 “Tangible Personal Property” means all tangible personal property and interests therein, including manufacturing production devices, machinery, computers and accessories, furniture, office equipment, communications equipment, automobiles, trucks, forklifts and other vehicles owned or leased by the Company and other tangible property.
1.203 “Tax Action” means any Action in respect of Taxes.
1.204 “Tax Receivable Agreement” has the meaning set forth in paragraph E of the recitals.
1.205 “Tax Return” means any return, information return, declaration, or any similar statement, and any amendment thereto, including any attached Schedule and supporting information that is filed or required to be filed with any Taxing Authority in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of a Tax.
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1.206 “Tax Sharing Agreement” means any agreement or arrangement pursuant to which any member of the Company Group is or may be obligated to indemnify any Person for, or otherwise pay, any Tax of or imposed on another Person, or pay over to any other Person any amount determined by reference to actual or deemed Tax benefits, Tax assets or attributes or Tax savings, other than an Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement.
1.207 “Tax(es)” means all U.S. federal, state, local, or non-U.S. net or gross income, net or gross receipts, net or gross proceeds, payroll, employment, excise, stamp, occupation, windfall or excess profits, profits, customs, capital stock, withholding, social security, unemployment, real property, personal property (tangible and intangible), sales, use, transfer, value added, alternative or add-on minimum, capital gains, ad valorem, franchise, capital, estimated, goods and services, premium, environmental or other taxes, assessments, duties or similar charges of any kind whatsoever in the nature of tax, including all interest, penalties and additions to tax imposed by or otherwise payable to any Taxing Authority with respect to the foregoing.
1.208 “Taxing Authority” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and any other Authority responsible for the collection, assessment or imposition of any Tax or the administration of any Law relating to any Tax.
1.209 “Termination Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.3(b)(ii).
1.210 “Trade Controls” means all U.S. and non-U.S. Laws relating to (i) economic, trade, and financial sanctions, including those administered and enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, and the United Nations; (ii) export, import, reexport, transfer, and retransfer controls, including those administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the United Nations; (iii) antiboycott requirements; and (iv) the prevention of money laundering.
1.211 “Transaction Expenses” means, collectively, the amount of the unpaid fees, commissions, costs or expenses that have been incurred by the Company Group or Buyer in connection with the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including costs and expenses of the Company’s or Buyer’s advisors in relation thereto and any Transfer Taxes. With respect to Buyer, Transaction Expenses shall also include any unpaid operational expenses as of the Closing.
1.212 “Transaction Proposal” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.6(d).
1.213 “Transfer Taxes” means any and all transfer, documentary, sales, use, gross receipts, stamp, registration, value added, recording, escrow and other similar Taxes and fees (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
1.214 “Treasury Regulations” means the United States Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code.
1.215 “Trust Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
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1.216 “Trust Fund” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
1.217 “Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.8.
1.218 “U.S. GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.
1.219 “Unaudited Financial Statements” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.8(a).
1.220 “Voting Agreement” has the meaning set forth in paragraph F of the recitals.
1.221 “Waiving Parties” has the meaning set forth in Section 10.21(a).
1.222 “Warrant Agent” means Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
1.223 “Warrant Agreement” means the Warrant Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2019, between the Warrant Agent and the Buyer.
Article II
PURCHASE AND SALE TRANSACTIONS
2.1 Existing Company Unit Re-classification; Purchase and Sale of Common Units; Conversion of Buyer Stock; Issuance of PubCo Stock. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, at the Closing:
(a) The Existing Company Units held by each Existing Equityholder shall automatically be re-classified into the number of Common Units as set forth next to such Existing Equityholder’s name on Schedule I, in each case free and clear of all Liens other than restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Organizational Documents, applicable securities Laws, this Agreement and the Additional Agreements. Following such re-classification, any certificates that may be outstanding evidencing ownership of Existing Company Units shall be of no further force or effect.
(b) Buyer shall contribute to the Company the Closing Date Contribution Amount and, in consideration thereof, the Company shall issue to Buyer a number of Common Units equal to the number of Net Outstanding Buyer Shares, free and clear of all Liens other than restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Organizational Documents, applicable securities Laws, this Agreement and the Additional Agreements;
(c) Immediately following the transaction set forth in Section 2.1(b), the Company shall make payments of the Transaction Expenses by wire transfer of immediately available funds on behalf of the Company and Buyer to the Persons to whom such amounts are owed;
(d) Simultaneously with the transaction set forth in Section 2.1(a), Buyer will file the A&R Certificate of Incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State;
(e) As of immediately prior to the Delaware Secretary of State’s acceptance of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation, each share of Buyer Class B Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing (but not including any Forfeited Sponsor Shares that are canceled pursuant to Section 7.13) will automatically convert into one (1) share of Buyer Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.3(b)(i)(B) of the Buyer’s Existing Certificate of Incorporation;
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(f) Immediately following Delaware Secretary of State’s acceptance of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation, PubCo shall (i) issue the number of shares of PubCo Class B Common Stock and PubCo Class C Common Stock (collectively, “PubCo Issued Stock”) to each Existing Equityholder as set forth next to such Existing Equityholders’ name on Schedule II free and clear of all Liens other than restrictions pursuant to PubCo’s Organizational Documents in exchange for the payment to PubCo by each such Existing Equityholder of adequate consideration, and (ii) make appropriate book entries to the accounts designated in writing by the Existing Equityholders at least five (5) Business Days prior to Closing evidencing the issuances to the Existing Equityholders of PubCo Issued Stock; and
(g) The parties acknowledge, by way of an example, as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Section 2.1, that as of immediately following the Closing (and assuming that (i) the number of shares redeemed pursuant to the Buyer Stock Redemption is zero, (ii) the PIPE Investment is funded in an amount equal to $220,000,000 at Closing and (iii) there is no Additional PIPE Investment), the Existing Equityholders will hold, in the aggregate, 129,800,000 Common Units, and PubCo will hold, 50,750,000 Common Units.
2.2 Treatment of Company Options. Effective as of and conditioned upon the Closing, by virtue of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each outstanding Company Option (whether vested or unvested), as adjusted pursuant to actions taken by the board of directors of the Company on December 15, 2020 in accordance with the terms of the Company Option Plan, shall remain outstanding and be subject to the Company Option Plan and the A&R Operating Agreement.
2.3 Buyer Warrants. Immediately following Delaware Secretary of State’s acceptance of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation, and without any action on the part of any holder of a Buyer Warrant, each Buyer Warrant that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Closing shall be converted into a corresponding PubCo Warrant exercisable for PubCo Class A Common Stock in accordance with its terms.
2.4 Directors and Officers of PubCo. Immediately after the Closing, (a) PubCo’s board of directors shall consist of the directors as set forth in Section 3 of the Stockholders Agreement, and (b) the officers of the Company shall be the officers set forth on Schedule 2.4 until the earlier of their resignation or removal or until their respective successors are duly appointed.
2.5 Closing; Closing Date. Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated in accordance with Article IX, the closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place by conference call and exchange of signature pages by email, fax or electronic transmission on 9:00 a.m. New York time on a date no later than two (2) Business Days after the satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions set forth in Article VIII, or at such other place and time as the Company and Buyer may mutually agree upon. The date on which the Closing actually occurs is hereinafter referred to as the “Closing Date”. In the event that all of the conditions set forth in Article VIII have been satisfied or waived such that the Closing would occur pursuant to this Section 2.5, but the Company notifies Buyer in writing that PubCo would not be able to satisfy its requirements to file the Closing Form 8-K within four (4) Business Days following the Closing because the Company cannot provide financial statements that are compliant with Regulation S-X of the Securities Act that are required to be filed with such Closing Form 8-K, then the Closing shall be delayed until such time as the Company is able to provide such financial statements, but in no event past the Outside Closing Date, and the Company shall uses its reasonable best efforts to provide such compliant financial statements as promptly as practicable.
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2.6 Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.
(a) At the Closing, each of the Existing Equityholders, the Company, Sponsor and PubCo shall duly execute and deliver each of the Additional Agreements (other than the Subscription Agreements) to which it is a party.
(b) If, at any time after the Closing, any further action is necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements, each of PubCo, Sponsor (solely with regard to its obligation set forth in Section 7.3(c) and Section 7.13), the Existing Equityholders and the Company shall take all such lawful and necessary action to carry out such purposes, so long as such action is not inconsistent with this Agreement.
2.7 Withholding. Buyer and the Company shall be entitled to deduct and withhold (or cause to be deducted and withheld) from any amount otherwise payable under this Agreement such amounts as are required to be deducted and withheld with respect to the making of such payment under the Code or any other provision of applicable Tax Laws. To the extent that such withheld amounts are paid over to or deposited with the applicable Authority, such withheld amounts shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to the Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding were made. Prior to undertaking any such deduction or withholding pursuant to this Section 2.7, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide notice to the Person in respect of whom any such deduction or withholding is required and cooperate in good faith with such Person to obtain any reduction or relief from any such deduction or withholding.
Article III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS
Each Existing Equityholder, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that each of the following representations and warranties is true, correct and complete with respect to such Existing Equityholder as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or, if such representations and warranties are made with respect to a certain date, as of such date).
3.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Such Existing Equityholder that is not an individual is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept applies) under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Existing Equityholder was formed. Such Existing Equityholder has all requisite power, authority and capacity, corporate and otherwise, and all Permits and Consents necessary and required to carry on its business as presently conducted, except as would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
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3.2 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by such Existing Equityholder of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which it is, or at the Closing will be, a party and the consummation by such Existing Equityholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the respective limited liability company, corporate or powers of such Existing Equityholder and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Existing Equityholder (if applicable). This Agreement constitutes, and, upon their execution and delivery, each of the Additional Agreements to which such Existing Equityholder is, or is specified to be, a party will constitute, a valid and legally binding agreement of such Existing Equityholder, as applicable, enforceable against such Existing Equityholder in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the Remedies Exception.
3.3 Title to the Existing Company Units. As of the date of this Agreement, such Existing Equityholder is the sole owner of record of and beneficially owns the Existing Company Units set forth next to such Existing Equityholder’s name on Schedule 3.3, and such Existing Equityholder has good and marketable title to such Existing Company Units, free and clear of all Liens other than restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Organizational Documents.
3.4 Non-Contravention. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties in Sections 4.4 and 5.4 the execution, delivery or performance by such Existing Equityholder of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which it is, or is specified to be, a party does not or will not (a) contravene or conflict with any Organizational Documents of such Existing Equityholder or any of its Affiliates, (b) assuming all of the Company Governmental Approvals are obtained and any applicable waiting periods referred to herein have expired, violate any provision of any Law or Order binding upon or applicable to such Existing Equityholder or its Affiliates, (c) constitute a default under or breach of (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) or violate or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any right or obligation of such Existing Equityholder or its Affiliates or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on any of the Existing Company Units, in each case, except as would not be reasonably expected to materially delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
3.5 Litigation. There is no, and since January 1, 2019, there has been no, Action pending against, or to the knowledge of such Existing Equityholder, threatened against, such Existing Equityholder or any of its respective Affiliates before any Authority which would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such Existing Equityholder’s ownership of the Existing Company Units, or otherwise materially delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or otherwise prevent such Existing Equityholder from complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which such Existing Equityholder is, or is specified to be, a party. Such Existing Equityholder is not subject to any outstanding Order that would prevent or materially delay the Closing or otherwise prevent such Existing Equityholder from complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Additional Agreements to which such Existing Equityholder is, or is specified to be, a party. Since January 1, 2019, such Existing Equityholder has not received a subpoena that is related to the Business or any member of the Company Group from any Authority.
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3.6 Finders Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 3.6, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of such Existing Equityholder or any of its Affiliates who might be entitled to any fee or commission from Buyer or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Article IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company hereby represents and warrants to Buyer that each of the following representations and warranties is true, correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or, if such representations and warranties are made with respect to a certain date, as of such date). The parties agree that any reference in a particular Section in the disclosure schedules delivered by the Company to Buyer as of the date hereof (the “Company Disclosure Schedules”) shall be deemed to be an exception to the representations and warranties of the Company that are contained in the corresponding Section of this Article IV; provided, that, where it is apparent on the face of a disclosure under a particular section of the Company Disclosure Schedules that such disclosure is relevant to the matters described under any other Sections of this Article IV, such disclosure shall also be deemed to be made to such other Sections.
4.1 Corporate Existence and Power. The Company is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware and its Subsidiaries are duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent that such concept applies) under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they were formed. Each member of the Company Group has all requisite power and authority, corporate and otherwise, and all Permits and Consents necessary and required to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on the Business as presently conducted, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group. Each member of the Company Group is duly licensed or qualified to do business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the properties owned or leased by it or the operation of its business as currently conducted makes such licensing or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified has not been and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 4.1 lists all jurisdictions in which each member of the Company Group is qualified to conduct the business. Copies of Organizational Documents of each member of the Company Group have heretofore been made available to Buyer, and such copies are each true and complete copies of such instruments as amended and in effect on the Effective Date.
4.2 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which it is, or will be at the Closing, a party and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby is within the limited liability company power of the Company, and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of the Company. This Agreement constitutes, and, upon their execution and delivery, each of the Additional Agreements to which the Company is a party, assuming due authorization and execution by each other party hereto and thereto, will constitute, a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, as applicable, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms subject to the Remedies Exception.
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4.3 Governmental Authorization. Neither the execution, delivery nor performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which it is, or is specified to be, a party requires any Consent by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Authority other than (a) the FCC Consent, (b) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, (c) the appropriate filings and approvals under the rules of Nasdaq and (d) other actions or filings the absence or omission of which would not, individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to prevent or materially delay or impair the Company’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder (a “Company Impairment Effect”) (each of the foregoing clauses (a) through (e), a “Company Governmental Approval”).
4.4 Non-Contravention. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4, none of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which it is, or is specified to be, a party does or will (a) contravene or conflict with the respective Organizational Documents of the Company, (b) assuming all of the Company Governmental Approvals are obtained and any applicable waiting periods referred to herein have expired, violate any provision of any Law or Order binding upon or applicable to the any member of the Company Group, (c) except for the Contracts listed on Schedule 4.7 requiring Company Group Consents (but only as to the need to obtain such Company Group Consents), constitute a default under or breach of (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) or violate or give rise to any material right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any right or obligation of any member of the Company Group or require any payment or reimbursement or a loss of any material benefit to which any member of the Company Group is entitled under any provision of any material Permit, Material Contract or other material instrument or obligations binding upon the Company Group or by which any of the Existing Company Units, or any member of the Company Group’s assets is or may be bound, (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on any of the Existing Company Units, or (e) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on any member of the Company Group’s material assets, in the cases of (b) through (e), except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
4.5 Capital Structure.
(a) Capitalization. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has authorized Securities consisting of 684,932 Existing Company Series A Preferred Units, all of which are issued and outstanding, 2,765,027 Existing Company Series B Preferred Units, all of which are issued and outstanding, 10,000,000 Existing Company Common Units, of which 5,500,840, are issued and outstanding and no Existing Company Incentive Units. As of the date of this Agreement, (i) no Existing Company Units are held in its treasury, (ii) all of the issued and outstanding Existing Company Units have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and, except as set forth in the Company’s Organizational Documents, are not subject to any preemptive rights or have been issued in violation of any preemptive or similar rights of any Person, and (iii) all of the issued and outstanding Existing Company Units are owned legally and of record by the Persons and in the amounts set forth on Schedule 4.5(a). As of the date of this Agreement, no other class in the capital of the Company is authorized or issued or outstanding. There are no Contracts to which the Company is a party obligating the Company to accelerate the vesting of any Existing Company Units in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events).
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(b) Schedule 4.5(b) sets forth as of the date of this Agreement a list of each outstanding Company Option granted under the Company Option Plan and: (i) the name (or, as required by applicable Law, employee identification number); (ii) the number of Company Common Units subject to such outstanding Company Option; (iii) the exercise price of such Company Option; (iv) the applicable vesting schedule of such Company Option; and (v) the date on which such Company Option expires. Other than as set forth in Section 4.5(a) or Section 4.5(b), there are no: (x) outstanding Securities of the Company, or (y) to the knowledge of the Company, any voting trust, other voting agreement or proxy with respect to the Existing Company Units.
(c) Schedule 4.5(c) sets forth the name of each Subsidiary of the Company, and with respect to each Subsidiary, its jurisdiction of organization, its authorized shares or other Securities (if applicable), and the number of issued and outstanding shares or other Securities and the record holders thereof. (i) All of the outstanding Securities of each Subsidiary of the Company are duly authorized and validly issued, duly registered and non-assessable (if applicable), were offered, sold and delivered in material compliance with all applicable securities Laws, and are owned by a member of the Company Group free and clear of all Liens (other than those, if any, imposed by such Subsidiary’s Organizational Documents or applicable securities Laws); (ii) there are no Contracts to which the Company or any of its Affiliates is a party or bound with respect to the voting (including voting trusts or proxies) of the shares or other Securities of any Subsidiary of the Company other than the Organizational Documents of any such Subsidiary; (iii) there are no outstanding Securities in or of any Subsidiary of the Company; (iv) no Subsidiary of the Company has any limitation on its ability to make any distributions or dividends to its equity holders; (v) the Company does not own or have any rights to acquire, directly or indirectly, any shares or other Securities of, or otherwise Control, any Person; (vi) none of the Company or its Subsidiaries is a participant in any joint venture, partnership or similar arrangement, and (vii) no member of the Company Group has made any loan or capital contribution or otherwise made funds available to any other Person and there is no outstanding contractual obligation of any member of the Company Group to make a loan or capital contribution or otherwise provide funds to any other Person.
4.6 Assumed Names. Since January 1, 2019, no member of the Company Group has used any other name to conduct the Business. Each member of the Company Group has filed appropriate “doing business as” certificates in all applicable jurisdictions with respect to itself, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
4.7 Consents. The Contracts listed on Schedule 4.7 are the only Contracts binding upon the Company Group or by which any Existing Company Units, or any member of the Company Group’s assets are bound, requiring a Consent of or filing with any Person as a result of the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (each of the foregoing, a “Company Group Consent”), in each case, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group or to have a Company Impairment Effect.
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4.8 Financial Statements.
(a) Schedule 4.8(a) includes (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019, consisting of the audited consolidated balance sheets as of such dates, the audited consolidated statement of operations for the twelve (12) month periods ended on such dates, the audited consolidated statement of members’ capital and the audited consolidated cash flow statements for the twelve (12) month periods ended on such dates (the “Audited Financial Statements”) and (ii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2020 (the “Balance Sheet Date”), respectively, consisting of the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of such dates, the unaudited consolidated income statement for the nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2020 ended on such dates, and the unaudited consolidated cash flow statements for the nine (9) month period ended September 30, 2020 ended on such dates (the “Unaudited Financial Statements” and all financial statements referred to in this Section 4.8(a) collectively, the “Financial Statements”).
(b) The Financial Statements fairly present in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the covered periods, the financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of operations of the Company for the periods reflected therein. The Financial Statements (i) have been prepared based on the books and records of the Company Group (except, in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence of footnotes and other presentation items and normal year-end adjustments) and (ii) have been prepared in accordance with the Company’s reporting and accounting policies and in accordance with U.S. GAAP and in accordance with Regulation S-X of the SEC (except, in the case of the Unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence of footnotes and other presentation items and normal year-end adjustments).
(c) Except as specifically disclosed, reflected or adequately reserved against on the Company Balance Sheet, and for Liabilities of a similar nature and in similar amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business since the Balance Sheet Date, as of the date of this Agreement there are no material Liabilities of any nature (whether accrued, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, asserted or unassisted or otherwise) that would be required to be set forth on the Company Balance Sheet (in accordance with U.S. GAAP), except for Liabilities (i) reflected or reserved for on the Financial Statements or disclosed in the notes thereto, (ii) that have arisen since the Balance Sheet Date in the ordinary course of the Company Group, (iii) that will be discharged or paid off prior to or at the Closing, (iv) arising under this Agreement or the performance by the Company Group of its obligations hereunder, (v) that are disclosed in the Schedules to this Agreement or (vi) that has not had, and would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Each of the independent auditors for the Company, with respect to their reports as included in the Audited Financial Statements is an independent registered public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and with respect to their reports as included in the Audited Financial Statements is an independent public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the SEC and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
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4.9 Internal Controls.
(a) The Company has devised and maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP (“Internal Controls”). The Internal Controls that are designed to provide, in all material respects, reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed only in accordance with the Company management’s authorization; and (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the Financial Statements and to maintain accountability for the Company’s assets. Neither the Company nor an independent auditor of the Company has identified or been made aware of (i) any significant deficiency or material weakness in the system of Internal Controls utilized by the Company (other than a significant deficiency or material weakness that has been disclosed in writing to any member of the Buyer), (ii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves the Company’s management or other employees who have a role in the preparation of the Financial Statements or the Internal Controls utilized by the Company, or (iii) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing. There are no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of the Internal Controls over financial reporting that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect, in a material manner, the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information, and there is no fraud that involves the management of the Company.
(b) All Contracts, documents, and other papers or copies thereof delivered to Buyer by or on behalf of the Company, to the knowledge of the Company, are accurate and complete in all material respects. The Books and Records accurately and fairly, in all material respects, reflect the transactions by each member of the Company Group. All accounts, books and ledgers of the Company Group that form the basis of the Financial Statements have been properly and accurately kept and completed in all material respects.
4.10 Absence of Certain Changes. Since the Balance Sheet Date to the date of this Agreement, other than COVID-19 Measures, the Company Group has conducted the Business in the ordinary course in all material respects. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as set forth on Schedule 4.10, since the Balance Sheet Date to the date of this Agreement, no member of the Company Group has taken any action that would, after the Effective Date, be prohibited or omitted to take any action that would, after the Effective Date, be required, as the case may be, by Section 7.1(b). Since the Balance Sheet Date, there has been no Company Material Adverse Effect.
4.11 Properties; Title to the Company Group’s Assets.
(a) The material items of Tangible Personal Property have no defects, are, in all material respects, in good operating condition and repair and function in accordance with their intended uses (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and have been properly maintained, and are suitable for their present uses and meet all specifications and warranty requirements with respect thereto, in each case, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
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(b) Except with respect to Intellectual Property, (i) the Company Group has good, valid and marketable title in and to, or in the case of leases for personal property and the assets which are leased or licensed pursuant to Contracts, a valid leasehold interest or license in or a right to use, all of their assets reflected on the Company Balance Sheet or acquired after Balance Sheet Date, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, (ii) except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group, no such asset is subject to any Liens other than Permitted Liens, and (iii) except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect, the Company Group’s assets constitute all of the assets of any kind or description whatsoever, including goodwill, for the Company Group to operate the Business immediately after the Closing in the same manner as the Business is currently being conducted.
(c) The assets of the Company Group constitute all of the material assets and rights that are reasonably necessary to permit Buyer to conduct the Business immediately following the Closing in the same manner as conducted by the Company Group during the 12-month period immediately preceding the Closing Date, in all material respects.
4.12 Litigation. There is no, and since January 1, 2019 there has been no, Action pending against, or to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against, the Company Group or any of their respective officers or directors before any Authority or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Additional Agreements, in each case, except as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. There are no outstanding settlement agreements or similar written agreements with any Authority or outstanding Orders that would reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Impairment Effect.
4.13 Contracts.
(a) Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.13(a), none of the Company Group is party to or bound by:
(i) any Contract that requires annual payments or expenses by, or annual payments or income to, the Company Group of $500,000 or more;
(ii) any employment Contract, or consultant and sales representative Contract with any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of the Company Group or other Person, under which the Company Group (A) has continuing obligations for payment of annual compensation of at least $100,000 (other than oral arrangements for at will employment), (B) has material severance or post-termination obligations to such person (other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code or similar applicable law for which the covered individual pays the full cost of coverage), or (C) has an obligation to make a payment upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or as a result of a change in control of the Company Group;
(iii) any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with any labor union, labor organization or works council (“CBA”);
(iv) any Contract creating a material joint venture, strategic alliance, limited liability company or partnership agreement (including (A) any Contract providing for joint research, development or marketing and (B) any Contract with a mobile network operator pertaining to technical collaboration to launch a space-cellular communications ecosystem);
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(v) any Contract or series of related Contracts, within the past three (3) years, relating to the acquisition of, investment in, or disposition of any material business, Securities or assets of the Company Group or any other Person (whether by merger, sale of Securities, sale of assets or otherwise);
(vi) any Contract (A) for a licensing agreement for material Owned Intellectual Property licensed by any member of the Company Group other than non-exclusive licenses granted by such member of the Company Group in the ordinary course of business, (B) for a license agreement for Intellectual Property licensed by a third party that is material to the Business other than “shrink wrap,” off-the-shelf, or other publicly or commercially available licenses for which such the Company Group pays a license fee of no more than $500,000 in the aggregate annually, and (C) whereby the Company Group is restricted in the ability to use or enforce any Owned Intellectual Property, including settlement agreements;
(vii) any Contract that (A) relates to secrecy, confidentiality and nondisclosure obligations that restrict the conduct of the Company Group (except for such Contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business), (B) materially restricts the Company Group’s ability to compete in any line of business or with any Person, (C) contains material exclusivity obligations, “most favored nation” provisions or other similar restrictions, rights or obligations, binding on the Company Group;
(viii) any Contract with an Authority;
(ix) any Contract providing for material guarantees, indemnification arrangements and other hold harmless arrangements made or provided by the Company Group to a third party other than any indemnity or similar provisions incidental to any Contract entered into by the Company Group in the ordinary course of business;
(x) any Contract to which any Existing Equityholder is a party;
(xi) any Contract relating to tangible property or tangible assets (whether real or personal) in which the Company Group holds a leasehold interest (including the Leases) and which involves payments to the lessor thereunder in excess of $500,000 per month;
(xii) any Contract relating to outstanding Indebtedness, including financial instruments of indenture or security instruments (typically interest-bearing) such as notes, mortgages, loans and lines of credit, except any such Contract with an aggregate outstanding principal amount not exceeding $250,000;
(xiii) any Contract relating to the voting or control of the Securities of the Company Group or the election of directors of the Company (other than the Organizational Documents of the Company Group);
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(xiv) any Contract that can be terminated, or the provisions of which are altered, as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements to which the Company Group is a party; and
(xv) any Contract with a Material Commercial Relationship.
(b) Each Contract disclosed or required to be disclosed pursuant to this Section 4.13 (each, a “Material Contract”) represents the valid and binding obligations of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries party thereto and, to the knowledge of the Company, represents the valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, and is in full force and effect, and neither the Company Group nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto, is in material breach or default (whether with or without the passage of time or the giving of notice or both) under the terms of any such Material Contract. The Company has provided to Buyer true and correct copies of each written Material Contract as of the date of this Agreement. None of the Company Group has received any written, or to the knowledge of the Company, oral notice to terminate any Material Contracts or to amend or not renew any type of Material Contract as defined in Sections 4.13(a)(i), 4.13(a)(iv), 4.13(a)(vi), or 4.13(a)(xv).
4.14 Licenses and Permits. Schedule 4.14 correctly lists each material Permit held by the Company Group, affecting, or relating to, the Business or any member of the Company Group, together with the name of the Authority issuing the same. Such Permits are valid and in full force and effect, and none of such Permits will, assuming the related third party Consent has been obtained or waived prior to the Closing Date, if applicable, be terminated or become terminable as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, except, in each case, as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group. The Company Group has all Permits necessary to operate the Business in the manner in which it is now operated, except where the absence of such permit would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
4.15 Compliance with Laws. Except where such violation has not had, or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Company Material Adverse Effect, no member of the Company Group is in violation of, and since January 1, 2019 has not violated any Law or Order, and since January 1, 2019 the Company Group has not received any subpoenas by any Authority.
4.16 Intellectual Property.
(a) Schedule 4.16 sets forth a true, correct and complete list of all registered, patented or applied for Intellectual Property (including domain names) (A) owned by any member of the Company Group (whether exclusively or jointly with another Person) or (B) has been incorporated by the Company Group into any commercial product (or product currently in development) made (or, to the knowledge of the Company, anticipated to be made) generally available by the Company Group and has been licensed to any member of the Company Group on an exclusive basis, specifying as to each, as applicable: (i) the nature of such Intellectual Property (e.g., whether a patent, trademark, copyright, or domain name); (ii) the owner of such Intellectual Property; (iii) the jurisdictions by or in which such Intellectual Property has been issued or registered or in which an application for such issuance or registration has been filed; (iv) the applicable registration or serial number of such Intellectual Property; and (v) where such Intellectual Property is jointly owned with any other Person, the applicable joint owner and the nature of such ownership interest.
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(b) The Company Group exclusively owns all right, title and interest to and in all Owned Intellectual Property free and clear of all Liens, except for Permitted Liens, and has the right to use pursuant to a valid written Contract, all other Intellectual Property used in or necessary for the operation of the Business.
(c) (i) Since January 1, 2019, the Company Group (A) has not been charged in writing with, or been a defendant, in any Action, and (B) has not received any written notice relating to any actual, alleged or suspected infringement, misappropriation or violation of any Intellectual Property of any third party by the Company Group; (ii) there is no other claim currently pending against the Company Group of infringement of any Intellectual Property of a third party by the Company Group; and (iii) to the knowledge of the Company, there is currently no continuing, and since January 1, 2019 there has not been any, infringement, misappropriation, or violation by any other Person of any Owned Intellectual Property.
(d) To the knowledge of the Company, neither the conduct of the Business nor the current use by the Company Group of any Owned Intellectual Property infringes, misappropriates, or violates, and has not since January 1, 2019 infringed, misappropriated, or violated, the Intellectual Property of any third party.
(e) All employees, agents, consultants or contractors of the Company Group who have contributed to or participated in the creation or development of any material Intellectual Property for the Company Group either: (i) is a party to a written, valid and enforceable “work-for-hire” agreement under which a member of the Company Group is deemed to be the owner or author of all Intellectual Property rights created or developed by such Person; or (ii) has executed a written assignment in favor of the Company Group of all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property created or developed by such Person.
(f) None of the execution, delivery or performance by the Company Group of this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements to which the Company Group is a party or the consummation by the Company Group of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will cause any material item of Intellectual Property owned or licensed by the Company Group immediately prior to the Closing to not be owned or licensed by the Company Group on substantially the same terms and conditions immediately following the Closing, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(g) The Company Group has taken reasonable measures to safeguard and maintain the confidentiality of all Trade Secrets and other Owned Intellectual Property that are confidential and material to the operation of the Business.
(h) No source code of Software comprising Owned Intellectual Property has been (i) provided, licensed or made available to any Person, except for employees, contractors and consultants engaged by the Company Group with a need to access it in the ordinary course of business that are subject to nondisclosure agreements protecting the Company Group’s rights therein; (ii) deposited into escrow for the benefit of any Person; or (iii) released from escrow to any Person due to obligations under any source code escrow agreement.
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(i) The Company Group does not use Open Source Software in a manner that would (i) require any member of the Company Group to distribute any source code of Software comprising Owned Intellectual Property to any third party, (ii) create obligations for any member of the Company Group to grant, or purport to grant, to any third party any patent rights (including any patent non-asserts or patent licenses) under any Owned Intellectual Property, or (iii) impose any present economic limitations on any Company Group member’s commercial exploitation of any Owned Intellectual Property.
4.17 Information Technology and Data Matters.
(a) All Computer Systems are in good operating condition, operate in accordance with their applicable documentation in all material respects. To the knowledge of the Company, none of the Computer Systems contains any Disabling Code. The Company Group employs commercially reasonable protection and security measures (including commercially reasonable physical, organizational and technological measures) designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the Computer Systems and designed to detect and safeguard against Disabling Code affecting the Company Group’s Business operations. The Company Group has in place business continuity and disaster recovery plans that are designed to minimize and mitigate the occurrence, duration and effect of any unscheduled unavailability of the Computer Systems. To the knowledge of the Company, there have been no (i) successful unauthorized intrusions or breaches of the security of the Computer Systems, (ii) prolonged periods of unscheduled unavailability of the Computer Systems, or (iii) failures, breakdowns or continued substandard performance of the Computer Systems, in each case that have caused any substantial disruption or interruption in or use of the Computer Systems as a whole or with respect to any portion thereof.
(b) The Company Group complies with, and has complied with, all Data Security Requirements in all material respects. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Closing will result in a material breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any Data Security Requirement, except as would not be reasonably expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Company, no member of the Company Group has experienced any breach of security, phishing incident, ransomware or malware attack, or other incident in which confidential information, Trade Secrets, or personal information was or may have been accessed, disclosed, or exfiltrated in an unauthorized manner, and no member of the Company Group has received any written notices or complaints from any Person or been the subject of any Action with respect thereto.
4.18 Material Commercial Relationships.
(a) Schedule 4.18 sets forth (i) the ten largest vendors to the Company Group for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 2020 determined based on the aggregate amount paid by the Company Group to such providers in the relevant periods (the “Material Suppliers”) and (ii) each mobile network operator that is a counterparty to a Contract with any member of the Company Group (the “Mobile Partners” and together with the Material Suppliers, the “Material Commercial Relationships”).
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(b) No Material Commercial Relationship has ceased doing business with the Company Group and no member of the Company Group has received any written, or the knowledge of the Company, oral notice, or otherwise agreed to, (i) terminating, cancelling or discontinuing its relation with the Company Group, (ii) materially reducing its purchase of services or goods from the Company Group or materially reducing its sale of goods or services to the Company Group, in each case, relative to the levels achieved during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, or (iii) altering or modifying (whether related to payment terms, price, duration or otherwise) in any material adverse respect the terms upon which it is willing to do business with the Company Group or otherwise materially and adversely modifying its relationship with the Company Group. To the knowledge of the Company, no Material Commercial Relationship intends to terminate, cancel or discontinue or otherwise terminate or materially and adversely modify its relationship with the Company Group.
4.19 Employees.
(a) The Company Group is not a party to, bound by, or subject to any CBA, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no employees of the Company Group are represented by any labor union, works council, or other labor organization with respect to their employment with the Company Group, and there has been no activity or proceeding by a labor union or representative thereof to organize any employees of the Company Group. To the knowledge of the Company, none of the executive officers and engineers of the Company is subject to any non-compete obligations or similar obligations that restrict such Person from conducting the Business on behalf of the Company.
(b) For the past three (3) years, there has been no actual or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened unfair labor practice charges, labor grievances, labor arbitrations, strikes, lockouts, work stoppages, slowdowns, picketing, hand billing or other material labor disputes against or affecting the Company Group.
(c) The Company Group is, and since January 1, 2019, has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws respecting labor, employment and employment practices, including all Laws respecting terms and conditions of employment, health and safety, wages and hours (including the classification of independent contractors and exempt and non-exempt employees), immigration (including the completion of Forms I-9 for all U.S. employees and the proper confirmation of employee visas), employment harassment, discrimination or retaliation, whistleblowing, disability rights or benefits, equal opportunity, plant closures and layoffs (including the WARN Act), employee trainings and notices, workers’ compensation, labor relations, employee leave issues, affirmative action and unemployment insurance.
(d) Except as set forth on the Financial Statements, the Company Group has no material Liability for (i) any delinquent wages, salaries, wage premiums, commissions, bonuses, fees, or other compensation to their current or former directors, officers, employees and independent contractors under applicable Law, Contract or Company policy; and/or (ii) any fines or other penalties for any failure to pay or delinquency in paying such compensation.
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(e) To the knowledge of the Company, no current or former employee or independent contractor of the Company Group, is in any material respect in violation of any term of any employment agreement, nondisclosure agreement, common law nondisclosure obligation, fiduciary duty, noncompetition obligation, nonsolicitation obligation, restrictive covenant or other obligation: (i) owed to the Company Group; or (ii) owed to any third party with respect to such Person’s right to be employed or engaged by the Company Group.
(f) No employee layoff, facility closure or shutdown (whether voluntary or by Order), reduction-in-force, furlough, temporary layoff, material reduction in hours, or material reduction in salary or wages has occurred since March 1, 2020 or is currently contemplated, planned or announced, including as a result of COVID-19 or any Law, Order, directive, guidelines or recommendations by any Authority in connection with or in response to COVID-19. The Company Group has not otherwise experienced any material employment-related liability with respect to COVID-19.
4.20 Employment Benefit Plans.
(a) Schedule 4.20(a) sets forth a sets forth a true and complete list of each material Employee Benefit Plan.
(b) The Company Group has provided Buyer with (i) true and complete copies of each material Employee Benefit Plan (or, if not written, a written summary of its terms), (ii) any related trust agreement or other funding instrument, administrative services agreements, group annuity Contracts and insurance Contracts, (iii) the most recent IRS determination or opinion letter, if applicable, (iv) any summary plan description, (v) any non-routine correspondence with any Authority dated within the past three years relating to any Employee Benefit Plan and (vi) the most recent financial statements and Form 5500 annual report (including attached schedules).
(c) Each Employee Benefit Plan (and each related trust, insurance contract or fund) has in all material respects, been funded, administered and maintained, in form and operation, in accordance with its terms and with the applicable requirements of all applicable Law, including, without limitation (and where applicable) ERISA and the Code. No member of the Company Group has incurred any penalty or Tax (whether or not assessed) under Sections 4980B, 4980D, 4980H, 6721 or 6722 of the Code and, to the knowledge of the Company, no circumstances or events have occurred that could result in the imposition of any such penalties or Taxes.
(d) All contributions, premiums or other payments that are due have been paid in all material respects on a timely basis with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan.
(e) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of a “qualified plan” under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or is entitled to rely on a favorable opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Employee Benefit Plan meets the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code and, to the knowledge of the Company, no event has occurred and no condition exists with respect to the form or operation of such Employee Benefit Plan which would reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualified status of any such Employee Benefit Plan. Without limiting the foregoing, (A) Each Company Option has an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of an Existing Company Common Unit on a date no earlier than the date of the corporate action authorizing the grant; (B) no Company Option has had its exercise date or grant date “back-dated” or materially delayed; (C) all Company Options have been issued in compliance with the Company Option Plan and all applicable Laws; and (D) there are no Contracts to which the Company is a party obligating the Company to accelerate the vesting of any Company Option as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (whether alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events).
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(f) No member of the Company Group maintains, sponsors, contributes to or has any Liability with respect to, (i) any pension plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA or (ii) any “multiemployer plan” (as such term is defined under Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), including as a consequence of at any time being considered a single employer under Section 414 of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA with any other Person.
(g) No Employee Benefit Plan provides nor does any member of the Company Group has any current or potential obligation to provide post-employment health, life or other welfare benefits other than as required under Section 4980B of the Code or any similar applicable law for which the covered individual pays the full cost of coverage.
(h) Except as would not reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to the Company Group, there do not exist any pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened claims (other than routine undisputed claims for benefits), suits, actions, disputes, audits or investigations with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan.
(i) The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (alone or in combination with any other event) (i) result in the forgiveness of any indebtedness of any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of any member of the Company Group, (ii) increase the amount or value of any compensation or benefits payable to any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of any member of the Company Group, or (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting, or trigger any payment or funding of any compensation or benefits to any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of any member of the Company Group.
(j) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the approval or consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or in connection with any event) could result in any payment or benefit (whether in cash or property or the vesting of property) to any “disqualified individual” (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code) that could reasonably be expected to, individually or in combination with any other such payment, constitute an “excess parachute payment” (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code).
(k) Each Employee Benefit Plan that is a “non-qualified deferred compensation plan” (as such term is defined in Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code), has been maintained, in all material respects in form and operation in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and applicable guidance issued thereunder and, to the knowledge of the Company, no amount under any such Employee Benefit Plan is or has been subject to the interest and additional Tax set forth under Section 409A(a)(1)(B) of the Code.
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(l) No member of the Company Group has any obligation to make a “gross-up” or similar payment in respect of any Taxes that may become payable under Section 4999 or 409A of the Code or otherwise.
4.21 Real Property.
(a) No member of the Company Group owns or has ever owned any Real Property.
(b) Except as would not reasonably be expected to be material to the Company Group, with respect to each Lease: (i) such Lease is valid, binding and in full force and effect, subject to the Remedies Exception and Permitted Liens; (ii) there exists no default or event of default thereunder by any member of the Company Group party thereto; (iii) none of the parties to each Lease is in breach and no party to a Lease has received notice of default or termination thereunder, and no event has occurred or circumstance exists which, with the delivery of notice, the passage of time or both, would constitute a breach or default, or permit the termination, modification or acceleration of rent under such Lease; (iv) to the knowledge of the Company no member of the Company Group has subleased, licensed or otherwise granted any Person the right to use or occupy the Real Property or any portion thereof; and (v) no member of the Company Group has collaterally assigned or granted any other security interest in such Lease or any interest therein. The Real Property leased by the Company Group is in a state of maintenance and repair in all material respects adequate and suitable for the purposes for which it is presently being used in all material respects, and there are no material repair or restoration works likely to be required in connection with any of the leased Real Properties except as would not reasonable be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company Group.
4.22 Tax Matters. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.22:
(a) All material Tax Returns required to be filed by or in respect of each member of the Company Group have been duly and timely filed and all such Tax Returns are true, correct, complete, and accurate in all material respects. All material Taxes due and owing by or in respect of each member of the Company Group have been duly and timely paid in full to the appropriate Taxing Authority or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
(b) Each member of the Company Group has complied with all applicable Laws relating to the reporting, payment, collection and withholding of Taxes and have duly and timely withheld or collected, paid over to the applicable Taxing Authority and reported all material Taxes required to be withheld or collected by the Company Group or any member thereof.
(c) There is no Action, pending, ongoing, or threatened in writing, with respect to material Taxes of any member of the Company Group that has not been fully resolved.
(d) No statute of limitations in respect of the assessment or collection of any material Taxes of any member of the Company Group has been waived or extended, which waiver or extension is in effect.
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(e) There is no Lien (other than Liens described in clause (iii) of the definition of Permitted Liens) for Taxes upon any of the assets of any member of the Company Group.
(f) No claim has been made in the three years prior to the date of this Agreement and, to the knowledge of the Company, prior to three years prior to the date of this Agreement, in writing by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where any member of the Company Group has not paid any Tax or filed Tax Returns, asserting that the member of the Company Group is or may be subject to Tax or required to file Tax Returns in such jurisdiction. No member of the Company Group currently has a permanent establishment (as defined in an applicable Tax treaty) or other fixed place of business in a country other than the country in which it is organized. No member of the Company Group is required to pay Taxes on its net income in any country other than its country of organization.
(g) No member of the Company Group is a party to any Tax Sharing Agreement (other than an Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement).
(h) No election under Treasury Regulation Section 301.9100-22 (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Laws) has been made with respect to any member of the Company Group.
(i) No member of the Company Group will be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in, or use of an improper, method of accounting for or in respect of a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) intercompany transactions occurring, or any excess loss account existing, on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case as described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date or (v) prepaid amount or advanced payment received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing.
(j) Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is registered for the purposes of sales Tax, use Tax, value-added Taxes, or any similar Tax in all jurisdictions where it is required by Law to be so registered, and has complied in all material respects with all Laws relating to such Taxes.
(k) No member of the Company Group (i) has engaged or participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of Section 6707A(c)(2) of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder, (ii) has any Liability for material Taxes of any Person (other than another member of the Company Group) under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign Law), as a result of being (or having been) a member of an affiliated, consolidated, unitary, or other group for applicable Tax purposes, as a transferee or successor, by contract, assumption or otherwise, or (iii) is subject to or has requested any private letter ruling (or similar ruling) from any Taxing Authority that is still in effect (or pending if requested).
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(l) In the two years prior to the date of this Agreement, no member of the Company Group has been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (as such terms are used in Section 355 of the Code) in a distribution intended or purported to qualify in whole or in part for Tax-deferred treatment under Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code).
(m) The Company as of the date hereof is, and at all times since its formation has been, treated as a partnership (and not as a “publicly traded partnership” within the meaning of Section 7704(b) of the Code) for U.S. federal and all applicable state and local income Tax purposes. Each Subsidiary of the Company, as of the date hereof is, and at all times since its formation has been, properly classified for U.S. federal and all applicable state and local income Tax purposes as the type of entity set forth opposite its name on Schedule 4.22(m).
(n) No member of the Company Group (i) has deferred any “applicable employment taxes” (as defined in Section 2302(d)(1) of the CARES Act) that may be deferred pursuant to Section 2302 of the CARES Act; (ii) has deferred any payroll Tax obligations (including those imposed by Sections 3101(a) and 3201 of the Code) pursuant to or in connection with the Payroll Tax Executive Order or (iii) has sought or obtained, or intends to seek or obtain (nor has any Affiliate that would be aggregated with the Company and treated as one employer for purposes of Section 2301 of the CARES Act sought or intend to seek) a covered loan under paragraph (36) of Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)), as added by Section 1102 of the CARES Act. To the extent applicable, each member of the Company Group has properly complied in all material respects with all legal requirements and duly accounted for any available Tax credits under Sections 7001 through 7005 of the FFCRA and Section 2301 of the CARES Act or any similar provision of state or local law.
(o) No member of the Company Group is currently nor has it ever been included in any consolidated, combined, or unitary Tax Return.
(p) There is no outstanding request for a ruling from any Taxing Authority.
(q) Neither the Business nor any member of the Company Group (nor any predecessor thereof) was in existence prior to January 1, 1994.
4.23 Environmental Laws.
(a) Except or as would not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Company Material Adverse Effect or as set forth on Schedule 4.23(a), (i) each member of the Company Group is currently and since January 1, 2019 has been in material compliance with all Environmental Laws; (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each member of the Company Group has obtained and complied with, and is currently in compliance with, all Permits that may be required pursuant to Environmental Laws; (iii) no member of the Company Group has received any notice, report or other information regarding any actual or alleged violation of or Liabilities under any Environmental Laws; (iv) there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any member of the Company Group with respect to violations of or Liabilities under Environmental Laws; and (v) no member of the Company Group, nor any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates, has treated, stored, disposed of, arranged for or permitted the disposal of, transported, handled, released or exposed any person to any Hazardous Material, or owned or operated any property or facility contaminated by any Hazardous Material, in each case, as has given or would give rise to liabilities or obligations under any Environmental Laws.
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(b) The Company Group has delivered to Buyer all environmental and occupational safety and health related audits, reports and other material documents relating to their past or current properties or operations which are in their possession or reasonable control.
4.24 Finders’ Fees. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.24, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements, there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of any member of the Company Group or any of its respective Affiliates or equityholders who might be entitled to any fee or commission from Buyer, the Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.25 Insurance. Schedule 4.25 contains a list of all current property and liability insurance policies covering the Company Group, the Business or the assets of the Company Group (the “Insurance Policies”), and no written notice of cancellation, termination, adverse modification or revocation or other written notice that any Insurance Policy is no longer in full force or effect or that the issuer of any Insurance Policy is not willing or able to perform its obligations thereunder has been received by the Company Group (and all premiums due and payable thereon have been paid in full on a timely basis).
4.26 Affiliate Arrangements. No officer, director or Affiliate of any member of the Company Group, and to the knowledge of the Company, no individual in such officer’s or director’s immediate family, (a) is a party to any Contract (other than employment or employment related agreements) with any member of the Company Group, (b) has any interest in any material property or asset used by the Company Group or necessary for the Business, (c) has outstanding Indebtedness owed to or from any member of the Company Group or (d) is the beneficiary of any guarantee provided by any member of the Company Group, in each case in the foregoing clauses (a) to (d), except for Liabilities that will be extinguished as of the Closing (any such arrangement, a “Company Affiliate Arrangement”). No Affiliate of the Company Group and, to the knowledge of the Company, no officer or director of the Company Group, has any direct or indirect financial interest in any Material Commercial Relationships (it being agreed, however, that the passive ownership of securities listed on any national securities exchange representing no more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding voting power of any Person shall not be deemed a “financial interest” in any such Person). To the knowledge of the Company, no officer or director of any member of the Company Group is an officer, director, manager, employee or consultant of any Material Commercial Relationship.
4.27 Certain Business Practices. Neither the Company Group nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company Group (in their capacities as such) has, since January 1, 2018, (i) used any funds for unlawful contributions, gifts, entertainment or other unlawful expenses relating to political activity, (ii) made any unlawful payment to foreign or domestic government officials or employees, to foreign or domestic political parties or campaigns or violated any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”), UK Bribery Act, or similar applicable Law prohibiting bribery or corruption (together with the FCPA, “Anti-Corruption Laws”) or (iii) made any other unlawful payment. Neither the Company Group, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company Group (nor any Person acting on behalf of any of the foregoing, but solely in his or her capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company Group) has, since January 1, 2018, directly or indirectly, given or agreed to give any gift or similar benefit to any customer, supplier, governmental employee or other Person who is or may be in a position to help or hinder the Company Group or assist the Company Group in connection with any actual or proposed transaction, in each case in violation of any Anti-Corruption Law. No Action involving the Company Group with respect to any Anti-Corruption Law is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
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4.28 Trade Controls. Neither the Company Group, nor to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent or employee of the Company Group (in their capacities as such) has, since January 1, 2018, (i) been a Sanctioned Person, (ii) been organized, resident or located in a Sanctioned Country, (iii) engaged in any dealings or transactions with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, or (iv) otherwise in violation of Trade Controls. The Company Group has not received from any Authority or any other Person any written notice, inquiry, or internal or external allegation; made any voluntary or involuntary disclosure to a Authority; or conducted any internal investigation or audit, in each case concerning any actual or potential violation or wrongdoing related to Trade Controls.
4.29 Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company Group are and, since January 1, 2018, have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable laundering statutes in all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental Authority (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”), and no Action involving the Company Group with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.
4.30 Not an Investment Company. The Company is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act.
4.31 FCC Matters.
(a) Schedule 4.31 lists all FCC Licenses held by the Company or its Subsidiaries, and with respect to each FCC License, the licensee name, description of the license and current expiration date. Such FCC Licenses constitute all of the authorizations required under the Communications Act or the rules, regulations and policies of the FCC for the present operation of the Business. The FCC Licenses are in full force and effect and have not been revoked, suspended, canceled, rescinded or terminated and have not expired. There is no pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened any action by or before the FCC to revoke, suspend, cancel, rescind or modify any of the FCC Licenses (other than proceedings relating to FCC rules of general applicability), and there is no order to show cause, notice of violation, notice of apparent liability, or notice of forfeiture or complaint pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the Company Group by or before the FCC. The FCC Licenses are not subject to any condition except for those conditions appearing on the face of the FCC Licenses. Each member of the Company Group is in compliance in all material respects with the FCC Licenses, the Communications Act and the rules, regulations and policies of the FCC. All reports and filings required to be filed with, and all regulatory fees required to be paid to, the FCC by any member of the Company Group has been timely filed and paid. All such reports and filings are accurate and complete in all material respects.
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(b) Schedule 4.31(b) lists all applications, waivers, petitions and requests filed by the Company Group (the “FCC Applications”) that are pending at the FCC as of the date hereof, including without limitation the PDR. The current pleading cycle with respect to the PDR is described on Schedule 4.31(b). To the Company’s knowledge, there are no facts or circumstances relating to any member of the Company Group that would or might reasonably be expected to, under the Communications Act and the existing rules, regulations and policies of the FCC, (i) result in the FCC’s refusal to grant any of the FCC Applications, (ii) materially delay obtaining the grants of the FCC Applications or (iii) cause the FCC to impose a material condition or conditions on its granting of any of the FCC Applications.
(c) Schedule 4.31(c) describes all FCC Applications that the Company reasonably believes, as of the date hereof, may need to be filed to support the PDR and the Business, other than the FCC Transfer Application.
4.32 EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA), EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN Article V or Article VI OR THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, OR IN THE CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY BUYER AT THE CLOSING, NONE OF BUYER, SPONSOR OR ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES, AND BUYER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, INCLUDING AS TO ANY MATERIALS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OR HOLDINGS OF BUYER THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP OR ANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES OR IN ANY PRESENTATION OF THE BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OF BUYER BY THE MANAGEMENT OF BUYER OR OTHERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, AND NO STATEMENT CONTAINED IN ANY OF SUCH MATERIALS OR MADE IN ANY SUCH PRESENTATION SHALL BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY HEREUNDER OR OTHERWISE OR DEEMED TO BE RELIED UPON BY ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF IN EXECUTING, DELIVERING AND PERFORMING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN Article V or Article VI OR THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, OR IN THE CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY BUYER AT CLOSING, IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ANY COST ESTIMATES, PROJECTIONS OR OTHER PREDICTIONS, ANY DATA, ANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OR ANY MEMORANDA OR OFFERING MATERIALS OR PRESENTATIONS, INCLUDING ANY OFFERING MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR MATERIALS MADE AVAILABLE BY BUYER OR SPONSOR ARE NOT AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE OR TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF BUYER, ANY AFFILIATE OF BUYER OR ANY OTHER PERSON, AND ARE NOT AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE RELIED UPON BY ANY MEMBER OF THE COMPANY GROUP OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF IN EXECUTING, DELIVERING OR PERFORMING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
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Article V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Existing Equityholders that, except as disclosed in Buyer SEC Documents, each of the following representations and warranties is true, correct and complete as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or, if such representations and warranties are made with respect to a certain date, as of such date).
5.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Buyer has all power and authority, corporate and otherwise, and all material Permits and Consents required to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted. Buyer has made available to the Company accurate and complete copies of its Organizational Documents, each as currently in effect.
5.2 Corporate Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by each of Buyer and Sponsor of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which it is, or is specified to be, a party and the consummation by Buyer and Sponsor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the corporate powers of Buyer and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer to the extent required by its Organizational Documents, applicable Laws or any Contract to which it is a party or by which its securities are bound other than the Required Buyer Stockholder Approval (as defined in Section 8.1(b)). This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by Buyer and it constitutes, and upon their execution and delivery, the Additional Agreements to which Buyer is, or is specified to be, a party will constitute, a valid and legally binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable against it in accordance with their representative terms.
5.3 Governmental Authorization. Neither the execution, delivery nor performance by Buyer of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which it is, or is specified to be, a party requires any Consent by or in respect of, or registration, declaration or filing with, any Authority other than (a) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Communications Act, (b) compliance with any applicable requirements of the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, (c) the appropriate filings and approvals under the rules of Nasdaq, and (d) other actions or filings the absence or omission of which would not, individually or in the aggregate be reasonably expected to prevent or materially delay or impair Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder (a “Buyer Impairment Effect”) (each of the foregoing clauses (a) through (d), a “Buyer Governmental Approval” and together with the Company Governmental Approvals, the “Governmental Approvals”).
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5.4 Non-Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each of Buyer of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which each is, or is specified to be, a party does not and will not (a) violate, contravene or conflict with the Organizational Documents of Buyer, (b) contravene or conflict with or constitute a violation of any provision of any Law or Order binding upon Buyer, (c) result in a violation or breach of, or constitute a default or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment, modification, suspension, revocation or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any Contract to which Buyer is bound, or (d) result in the creation of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of the properties or assets of Buyer, except, in each case of clauses (b) through (d), for any contravention or conflicts that would not reasonably be expected to be material to Buyer or to have a Buyer Impairment Effect.
5.5 Finders’ Fees. Except for BTIG, LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Buyer who might be entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from Buyer upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements.
5.6 Issuance of Stock. PubCo Class B Common Stock and PubCo Class C Common Stock, when issued in accordance with this Agreement, will be duly authorized and validly issued, and will be fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights, subscription rights or any similar right under any provision of Law, Buyer’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound and will be capable of effectively vesting in the Existing Equityholders title to all such securities, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens arising pursuant to applicable securities Laws).
5.7 Capitalization.
(a) As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock of Buyer consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (ii) 10,000,000 shares of Buyer Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and (iii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, of which 23,000,000 shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock and 5,750,000 shares of Buyer Class B Common Stock are issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date. 6,100,000 shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock are reserved for issuance upon the exercise of Buyer Units, and another 17,600,000 shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock are reserved for issuance with respect to Buyer Warrants and 17,600,000 Buyer Warrants are issued and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement. No other shares of capital stock or other Securities of Buyer are issued, reserved for issuance or outstanding. All issued and outstanding shares of Buyer Common Stock and the Buyer Warrants (A) have been duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, (B) were issued in compliance in all material respects with applicable Law, (C) were not issued in violation of any purchase option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of Law, Buyer’s Organizational Documents or any Contract to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound, and (D) are fully vested and not otherwise subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture within the meaning of Code Section 83, except as disclosed in the Buyer SEC Documents with respect to certain Buyer Common Stock held by the Sponsor or as contemplated by Section 7.13. Except as set forth in Buyer’s Organizational Documents, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Buyer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any Buyer Common Stock or any other Securities of Buyer. There are no outstanding contractual obligations of Buyer to provide funds to, or make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise) in, any other Person.
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(b) Except for this Agreement, the Buyer Warrants, the Subscription Agreements, and the subscription agreements that may be entered into in connection with the Additional PIPE Investment and the Additional Agreements, there are (i) no subscriptions, calls, options, warrants, rights or other securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for shares of Buyer Common Stock or the equity interests of Buyer, or any other Contracts to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer is bound obligating Buyer to issue or sell any shares of capital stock of, other equity interests in, or debt securities of, Buyer, and (ii) no equity equivalents, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock ownership interests or similar rights in Buyer. Except as disclosed in the Buyer SEC Documents or the Buyer’s Organizational Documents, there are no outstanding contractual obligations of Buyer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any securities or equity interests of Buyer. There are no outstanding bonds, debentures, notes or other indebtedness of Buyer having the right to vote (or convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities having the right to vote) on any matter for which Buyer’s stockholders may vote. Except as disclosed in the Buyer SEC Documents, Buyer is not a party to any stockholders agreement, voting agreement or registration rights agreement relating to Buyer Common Stock or any other equity interests of Buyer. Buyer does not own any capital stock or any other equity interests in any other Person or has any right, option, warrant, conversion right, stock appreciation right, redemption right, repurchase right, agreement, arrangement or commitment of any character under which a Person is or may become obligated to issue or sell, or give any right to subscribe for or acquire, or in any way dispose of, any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, or any securities or obligations exercisable or exchangeable for or convertible into any shares of the capital stock or other equity interests, of such Person. There are no securities or instruments issued by or to which the Buyer is a party containing anti-dilution or similar provisions that will be triggered by the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements that have not been or will not be waived on or prior to the Closing Date.
5.8 Trust Account; Financial Capacity.
(a) As of the date hereof, Buyer has at least $232,162,658.56 in the trust fund established by Buyer for the benefit of its public stockholders (the “Trust Fund”) in a trust account (the “Trust Account”), maintained by Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (the “Trustee”) acting as trustee, and such monies are invested in “government securities” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act) and held in trust by the Trustee pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement. The Investment Management Trust Agreement is in full force and effect and is a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer and to the knowledge of Buyer, the Trustee, enforceable against it and, to the knowledge of Buyer, the Trustee in accordance with its terms, subject to the Remedies Exception. The Investment Management Trust Agreement has not been terminated, repudiated, rescinded, amended, supplemented or modified, in any respect, and no such termination, repudiation, rescission, amendment, supplement or modification is contemplated by Buyer or, to the knowledge of Buyer, the Trustee. There are no separate Contracts that would cause the description of the Investment Management Trust Agreement in the Buyer SEC Documents to be inaccurate in any material respect or, to the knowledge of Buyer, that would entitle any Person (other than (a) the holders of Securities of the Buyer prior to the Closing Date who shall have elected to redeem their Buyer Class A Common Stock pursuant to Buyer’s Organizational Documents or (b) if Buyer fails to complete a “Business Combination”, as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents, within the allotted time period and liquidates the Trust Fund, subject to the terms of the Investment Management Trust Agreement, Buyer in limited amounts to permit Buyer to pay the expenses of the Trust Account’s liquidation and dissolution, and then Buyer’s public shareholders) to any portion of the funds in the Trust Account. Prior to the Closing, none of the funds held in the Trust Account are required to be released, except to pay Taxes from any interest income earned in the Trust Account, and to redeem Buyer Common Stock pursuant to Buyer’s Organizational Documents. Since October 31, 2020, Buyer has not released any money from the Trust Account (other than interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Investment Management Trust Agreement or reimbursements for tax liability of Buyer arising from interest income earned on the principal held in the Trust Account as permitted by the Investment Management Trust Agreement). As of the Closing, the obligations of the Buyer to dissolve or liquidate pursuant to the Buyer’s Organizational Documents shall terminate, and, as of the Closing, Buyer shall have no obligation whatsoever pursuant to the Buyer’s Organizational Documents to dissolve and liquidate the assets of Buyer by reason of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date of this Agreement, there are no Actions pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened, with respect to the Trust Account.
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(b) As of the date hereof, assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company and the Existing Equityholders herein and the compliance by the Company and the Existing Equityholders with their respective obligations hereunder, Buyer has no reason to believe that any of the conditions to the use of funds in the Trust Account will not be satisfied or funds available in the Trust Account will not be available to Buyer on the Closing Date.
(c) Buyer does not have, or have any present intention, agreement, arrangement or understanding to enter into or incur, any obligations with respect to or under any Indebtedness.
5.9 Listing. The Buyer Units, Buyer Class A Common Stock and Buyer Warrants are listed on Nasdaq, with trading symbols “NPAUU,” “NPA” and “NPAWW.”
5.10 Board Approval. The Buyer Board (including any required committee or subgroup of such board) has, at a meeting thereof duly called and held, unanimously (a) declared the advisability of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, (b) determined that the transactions contemplated hereby are fair and in the best interests of Buyer and its stockholders, (c) recommended its stockholders to vote in favor of the transactions contemplated hereby; (d) resolved to recommend to the stockholders of Buyer approval of each of the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters; (e) determined that the fair market value of the Company is equal to at least eighty percent (80%) of the amount held in the Trust Account (less the Deferred Underwriting Commission and Taxes payable on interest earned on the Trust Account) as of the date hereof; and (f) determined that the transactions contemplated hereby constitute a “Business Combination” as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents.
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5.11 Buyer SEC Documents and Financial Statements; Internal Controls.
(a) Buyer has filed on a timely basis all forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents, including any exhibits thereto, required to be filed or furnished by Buyer with the SEC since Buyer’s formation under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, together with any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto, and will file all such forms, reports, schedules, statements and other documents required to be filed by it subsequent to the date of this Agreement (the “Additional Buyer SEC Documents”). Buyer has made available to the Company copies in the form filed with the SEC of all of the following, except to the extent available in full without redaction on the SEC’s website through EDGAR for at least five (5) days prior to the date of this Agreement: (i) Buyer’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K for each fiscal year of Buyer beginning with the first year Buyer was required to file such a form, (ii) Buyer’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for each fiscal quarter of Buyer beginning with the first quarter Buyer was required to file such a form, (iii) all proxy statements relating to Buyer’s meetings of stockholders (whether annual or special) held, and all information statements relating to stockholder consents, since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above, (iv) all of its Current Reports on Form 8-K filed since the beginning of the first fiscal year referred to in clause (i) above, (v) Buyer’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (and any amendments thereto), and (vi) all other forms, reports, registration statements and other documents (other than preliminary materials if the corresponding definitive materials have been provided to the Company pursuant to this Section 5.11) filed by Buyer with the SEC since Buyer’s formation (the forms, reports, registration statements and other documents referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above, whether or not available through EDGAR, are, collectively, the “Buyer SEC Documents”), including in each case all exhibits and annexes and any amendments, restatements or supplements thereto. The Buyer SEC Documents were, and the Additional Buyer SEC Documents will be, prepared in all material respects in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations thereunder. The Buyer SEC Documents did not, and the Additional Buyer SEC Documents will not, at the time they were or are filed, as the case may be, with the SEC (except to the extent that information contained in any Buyer SEC Document or Additional Buyer SEC Document has been or is revised or superseded by a later filed Buyer SEC Document or Additional Buyer SEC Document, then on the date of such filing) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. As used in this Section 5.11, the term “file” shall be broadly construed to include any manner in which a document or information is furnished, supplied or otherwise made available to the SEC through EDGAR.
(b) The financial statements and notes contained or incorporated by reference in the Buyer SEC Documents and the Additional Buyer SEC Documents (collectively, the “Buyer Financial Statements”) are complete and accurate and fairly present in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis in all material respects and Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, as applicable, the financial position of Buyer as of the dates thereof and the results of operations of Buyer for the periods reflected therein. The Buyer Financial Statements (i) were prepared from the Books and Records of Buyer and (ii) were audited in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
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(c) (i) Buyer has established and, since the IPO has maintained, a system of “internal controls” over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) sufficient to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of its financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and (ii) Buyer has established and maintained disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 under the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that material information relating to Buyer is made known to the principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within Buyer as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications required pursuant to Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Buyer maintains and, for all periods covered by Buyer Financial Statements, has maintained Books and Records in the ordinary course of business that are accurate and complete and reflect the revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities of Buyer in all material respects.
(d) There are no outstanding loans or other extensions of credit made by Buyer to any executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) or director of Buyer. Buyer has not taken any action prohibited by Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
(e) Buyer is and, since the IPO has been in compliance, in all material respects with all applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of Nasdaq. The Buyer Units, Buyer Class A Common Stock and Buyer Warrants are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and are listed for trading on Nasdaq. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer by Nasdaq, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority or the SEC, respectively, with respect to any intention to deregister Buyer Units, Buyer Class A Common Stock or Buyer Warrants or prohibit or terminate the listing of the Buyer Units, Buyer Class A Common Stock or Buyer Warrants on Nasdaq. None of Buyer nor any of its Affiliates has taken any action that is designed to terminate the registration of Buyer Units, Buyer Class A Common Stock or Buyer Warrants under the Exchange Act.
(f) Since its incorporation and to the date of this Agreement, Buyer has not become aware of or received, from Buyer’s independent auditors or otherwise, any written complaint, allegation, assertion or claim that there is (i) a “significant deficiency” in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by Buyer or the internal controls over financial reporting of Buyer, (ii) a “material weakness” in the system of internal accounting controls utilized by or internal controls over financial reporting of Buyer, (iii) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees of Buyer who have a role in the preparation of financial statements or the internal accounting controls utilized by Buyer, or (iv) any claim or allegation regarding any of the foregoing.
(g) Except as specifically disclosed, reflected or fully reserved against in Buyer Financial Statements, and for liabilities and obligations of a similar nature and in similar amounts incurred in the ordinary course of business since Buyer’s formation, there are no material liabilities, debts or obligations (whether accrued, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, asserted or unassisted, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise) of Buyer. All debts and Liabilities, fixed or contingent, which should be included under U.S. GAAP on a balance sheet are included in the Buyer Financial Statements.
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(h) To the knowledge of Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding SEC comments from the SEC with respect to the Buyer SEC Documents. To the knowledge of Buyer, none of the Buyer SEC Documents filed on or prior to the date hereof is subject to ongoing SEC review or investigation as of the date hereof.
5.12 Litigation. There is no Action pending against or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against Buyer or any of its officers or directors before any Authority or which in any manner challenges or seeks to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay the transactions contemplated hereby or by the Additional Agreements to which Buyer is, or is specified to be, a party. There are no outstanding Orders against Buyer. Buyer is not, and has not previously been, subject to any Action with any Authority.
5.13 Business Activities; Absence of Changes.
(a) Since its incorporation, Buyer has not conducted any business activities other than activities (i) in connection with or incident or related to its incorporation or continuing corporate (or similar) existence, (ii) directed toward the accomplishment of a business combination, including those incident or related to or incurred in connection with the negotiation, preparation or execution of this Agreement or any Additional Agreement to which Buyer is a party, the performance of its covenants or agreements in this Agreement or any Additional Agreement to which Buyer is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or (iii) those that are administrative, ministerial or otherwise immaterial in nature. Except as set forth in Buyer’s Organizational Documents, there is no Contract binding upon Buyer or to which Buyer is a party which has or would reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or materially impairing any business practice of it, any acquisition of property by it, the conduct of business by it or as would cause a Buyer Impairment Effect.
(b) Buyer does not own or have a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, any interest or investment (whether equity or debt) in any corporation, partnership, joint venture, business, trust or other entity. Except for this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer has no interests, rights, obligations or liabilities with respect to, and is not party to, bound by or has its assets or property subject to, in each case whether directly or indirectly, any Contract or transaction which is, or could reasonably be interpreted as constituting, a “Business Combination” as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents.
(c) Except for (i) this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.2) and (ii) the Deferred Underwriting Commission or with respect to fees and expenses of Buyer’s legal, financial and other advisors or placement agents, Buyer is not, and at no time has been, party to any Contract with any other Person that would require payments by Buyer in excess of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) monthly, two million dollars ($2,000,000) in the aggregate with respect to any individual Contract or more than three million dollars ($3,000,000) in the aggregate when taken together with all such other Contracts (other than this Agreement and the agreements expressly contemplated hereby (including any agreements permitted by Section 7.2).
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(d) (i) Since the date of Buyer’s incorporation, there has not been any change, development, condition, occurrence, event or effect relating to the Buyer or its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, resulted in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, a material adverse effect on the ability of Buyer to enter into, perform its obligations under this Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (ii) from September 30, 2020 through the date of this Agreement, Buyer and its Subsidiaries have not taken any action that would require the consent of the Company pursuant to Section 7.2 if such action had been taken after the date hereof.
5.14 Compliance with Laws. Buyer is not in violation of, has not violated and is not under investigation with respect to any violation or alleged violation of, any Law or Order issued by any Authority, nor is there any basis for any such charge and Buyer has not previously received any subpoenas by any Authority.
5.15 Money Laundering Laws. The operations of Buyer are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with the Money Laundering Laws, and no Action involving Buyer with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened.
5.16 Not an Investment Company. Buyer is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
5.17 Tax Matters.
(a) Buyer has duly and timely filed all material Tax Returns required to be filed by it and all such Tax Returns are true, correct, complete, and accurate in all material respects. Buyer has duly and timely paid in full to the appropriate Taxing Authority all material Taxes due and owing by it.
(b) There is no Action pending, ongoing, or threatened in writing with respect to material Taxes of Buyer that has not been fully resolved.
(c) No statute of limitations in respect of the assessment or collection of any material Taxes of Buyer for which a Lien (other than a Lien for Taxes not yet due and payable) may be imposed on any of Buyer’s assets has been waived or extended, which waiver or extension is in effect, except for automatic extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business.
(d) Buyer has complied with all applicable Laws relating to the reporting, payment, collection and withholding of material Taxes and has duly and timely withheld or collected, paid over to the applicable Taxing Authority and reported all material Taxes required to be withheld or collected by Buyer.
(e) There is no Lien (other than Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable) for Taxes upon any of the assets of Buyer.
(f) No claim has been made by a Taxing Authority in a jurisdiction where Buyer has not paid any Tax or filed Tax Returns, asserting that the Buyer is or may be subject to Tax in such jurisdiction.
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(g) Buyer is not a party to any Tax Sharing Agreement (other than an Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement).
(h) Buyer is not currently nor has it ever been included in any consolidated, combined, or unitary Tax Return other than a Tax Return that includes only Buyer.
(i) In the two years prior to the date of this Agreement, Buyer has not been a “distributing corporation” or a “controlled corporation” (as such terms are used in Section 355 of the Code) in a distribution intended or purported to qualify in whole or in part for Tax-deferred treatment under Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code).
(j) Buyer will not be required to include any material item of income in, or exclude any material item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Closing Date as a result of any (i) change in, or use of an improper, method of accounting for or in respect of a taxable period (or portion thereof) ending on or prior to the Closing Date, (ii) “closing agreement” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law) executed on or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) intercompany transactions occurring, or any excess loss account existing, on or prior to the Closing Date, in each case as described in Treasury Regulations under Section 1502 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or foreign law), (iv) installment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Closing Date or, (v) prepaid amount or advanced payment received or deferred revenue accrued on or prior to the Closing.
5.18 Transactions with Affiliates. There are no Contracts between (a) Buyer, on the one hand, and (b) Sponsor or any officer, director, employee, partner, member, manager, direct or indirect equityholder or Affiliate of Buyer, on the other hand (each Person identified in this clause (b), a “Buyer Related Party”), other than (i) Contracts with respect to a Buyer Related Party’s employment with, or the provision of services to, Buyer that were entered into in the ordinary course of business (including with regard to benefit plans, indemnification arrangements and other ordinary course compensation matters) or (ii) Contracts with respect to a Buyer Related Party’s status as a holder of Securities of Buyer.
5.19 PIPE. Buyer has delivered to the Company true, correct and complete copies of the each of the Subscription Agreements pursuant to which each PIPE Investor party thereto has committed, subject to the terms and conditions therein, to purchase shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock in the aggregate for an aggregate amount equal to the PIPE Investment. As of the date of this Agreement, each Subscription Agreement (a) is in full force and effect without amendment or modification, (b) is the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of Buyer and, to the knowledge of Buyer, each other party thereto (except, in any case, as may be limited by the Remedies Exception) and (c) has not been withdrawn, terminated or rescinded in any respect. There are no other side letters or Contracts between Buyer and any PIPE Investor relating to any Subscription Agreement, that would reasonably be expected to affect the obligations of the PIPE Investors to contribute to Buyer the applicable portion of the PIPE Investment set forth in the Subscription Agreements, and, to the knowledge of Buyer, no facts or circumstances exist that may reasonably be expected to result in any of the conditions set forth in any Subscription Agreement not being satisfied, or the PIPE Investment not being available to Buyer, on the Closing Date. As of the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred that, with or without notice, lapse of time or both, would (i) constitute a material default or breach on the part of Buyer or the PIPE Investors party to any Subscription Agreement, (ii) constitute a failure to satisfy a condition on the part of Buyer or the PIPE Investor party to a Subscription Agreement or (iii) result in any portion of the amounts to be paid by the PIPE Investors in accordance with the Subscription Agreements being unavailable on the Closing Date. As of the date of this Agreement, Buyer has no reason to believe that it will be unable to satisfy in all material respects on a timely basis any term or condition of Closing to be satisfied by it contained in any Subscription Agreement. The Subscription Agreements contain all of the conditions precedent (other than the conditions contained in this Agreement or the Additional Agreements) to the obligations of the PIPE Investors to contribute to Buyer the applicable portion of the PIPE Investment set forth in the Subscription Agreements on the terms therein. As of the date of this Agreement, Buyer has, and, to the knowledge of Buyer, each PIPE Investor that has executed a Subscription Agreement has complied with all of its obligations under such Subscription Agreement.
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5.20 Proxy Statements. On the dates when first filed in accordance with Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, each of the Proxy Statement and the Extension Proxy Statement (or any amendment or supplement thereto) shall comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act. On the date of any filing pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act, the date the Proxy Statement and the Extension Proxy Statement, as applicable, is first mailed to the stockholders of Buyer, and at the time of the Buyer Special Meeting or the Buyer Extension Meeting (as applicable), the Proxy Statement and the Extension Proxy Statement (together with any amendments or supplements thereto), will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that Buyer makes no representations or warranties as to the information contained in or omitted from the Proxy Statement or the Extension Proxy Statement in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to Buyer by or on behalf of the Company or the Existing Equityholders specifically for inclusion in the Proxy Statement or the Extension Proxy Statement.
5.21 Takeover Statutes and Charter Provisions. Assuming that none of the Company and the Existing Equityholders holds any Buyer Common Stock, as of the date of this Agreement, no “fair price,” “moratorium,” “control share acquisition” or other anti-takeover statute or similar domestic or foreign Law applies with respect to Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar anti-takeover agreement or plan in effect to which the Buyer or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, party or otherwise bound.
5.22 Property. Neither Buyer nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) owns or leases any real or personal property or (b) is a party to any agreement or option to purchase any real property, personal property or other material interest therein.
5.23 Material Contracts; Defaults.
(a) The Buyer SEC Documents disclose each “material contract” (as such term is defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) (other than confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, this Agreement and the Subscription Agreements) to which, as of the date of this Agreement, Buyer or one or more of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of their respective assets are bound (the “Buyer Material Contracts”).
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(b) Each Buyer Material Contract was entered into at arm’s length and in the ordinary course of business. Except for any Buyer Material Contract that has terminated or will terminate upon the expiration of the stated term thereof prior to the Closing Date, with respect to any Buyer Material Contract, (i) such Contracts are in full force and effect and represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Buyer and, to the knowledge of the Buyer, represent the legal, valid and binding obligations of the other parties thereto, and, to the knowledge of the Buyer, are enforceable by the Buyer to the extent a party thereto in accordance with their terms, subject in all respects to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other laws relating to or affecting the Remedies Exception and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), (ii) neither the Buyer nor, to the knowledge of the Buyer, any other party thereto is in material breach of or material default (or would be in material breach, violation or default but for the existence of a cure period) under any such Contract, (iii) since May 28, 2019, neither the Buyer nor its Subsidiaries have received any written or, to the knowledge of the Buyer, oral claim or notice of material breach of or material default under any such Contract, (iv) to the knowledge of the Buyer, no event has occurred which, individually or together with other events, would reasonably be expected to result in a material breach of or a material default under any such Contract by the Buyer or its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of the Buyer, any other party thereto (in each case, with or without notice or lapse of time or both) and (v) since May 28, 2019 through the date hereof, neither the Buyer nor its Subsidiaries have received written notice from any other party to any such Contract that such party intends to terminate or not renew any such Contract.
5.24 Independent Investigation. Buyer has conducted its own independent investigation, review and analysis of the Company and acknowledges that it has been provided certain access to certain of the personnel, properties, assets, premises, books and records, and other documents and data of the Company for such purpose. Buyer acknowledges and agrees that in making its decision to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, it has relied solely upon its own investigation and the express representations and warranties of the Company and the Existing Equityholders set forth in this Agreement (subject to the related portions of the Disclosure Schedules), the Additional Agreements and in any certificate delivered to Buyer pursuant hereto or thereto.
5.25 EXCLUSIVITY OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. NOTWITHSTANDING THE DELIVERY OR DISCLOSURE TO BUYER OR ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES OF ANY DOCUMENTATION OR OTHER INFORMATION (INCLUDING ANY FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS OR OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL DATA), EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III OR Article IV OR THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR THE CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY AT CLOSING, NONE OF THE COMPANY, THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS, ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY OR THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON MAKES, AND THE COMPANY AND THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, INCLUDING AS TO ANY MATERIALS RELATING TO THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS OR THE BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OR HOLDINGS OF THE COMPANY GROUP THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO BUYER OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES OR IN ANY PRESENTATION OF THE BUSINESS AND AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY GROUP BY THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY OR OTHERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, AND NO STATEMENT CONTAINED IN ANY OF SUCH MATERIALS OR MADE IN ANY SUCH PRESENTATION SHALL BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY HEREUNDER OR OTHERWISE OR DEEMED TO BE RELIED UPON BY BUYER OR ANY AFFILIATE THEREOF IN EXECUTING, DELIVERING AND PERFORMING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY. EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III AND Article IV OR THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS, OR THE CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED BY THE COMPANY AT CLOSING, IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT ANY COST ESTIMATES, PROJECTIONS OR OTHER PREDICTIONS, ANY DATA, ANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OR ANY MEMORANDA OR OFFERING MATERIALS OR PRESENTATIONS, INCLUDING ANY OFFERING MEMORANDUM OR SIMILAR MATERIALS MADE AVAILABLE BY THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS OR THE COMPANY GROUP ARE NOT AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE OR TO INCLUDE REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY OR THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS, ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY OR THE EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS OR ANY OTHER PERSON, AND ARE NOT AND SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE RELIED UPON BY BUYER OR ITS AFFILIATES IN EXECUTING, DELIVERING OR PERFORMING THIS AGREEMENT, THE ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
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Article VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SPONSOR
Sponsor, hereby represents and warrants to the Company and the Existing Equityholders that each of the following representations and warranties is true, correct and complete with respect to Sponsor as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (or, if such representations and warranties are made with respect to a certain date, as of such date).
6.1 Corporate Existence and Power. Sponsor is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Sponsor has all requisite power, authority and capacity, corporate and otherwise, and all Permits and Consents necessary and required to carry on its business as presently conducted, except as would not prevent or materially delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
6.2 Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance by Sponsor of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which it is, or at the Closing will be, a party and the consummation by Sponsor of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby are within the limited liability company powers of Sponsor and have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of Sponsor. This Agreement constitutes, and, upon their execution and delivery, each of the Additional Agreements to which Sponsor is, or is specified to be, a party will constitute, a valid and legally binding agreement of Sponsor, as applicable, enforceable against Sponsor in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the Remedies Exception.
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6.3 Sponsor Ownership. As of the date hereof, Sponsor is the holder of record and the “beneficial owner” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of 5,500,000 shares of Buyer Class A Common Stock and 5,710,000 shares of Buyer Class B Common Stock, 0 Buyer Units, and 5,500,000 Buyer Warrants (collectively, the “Sponsor Securities”), in each case, free and clear of all Liens other than restrictions arising under (a) this Agreement, (b) the Organizational Documents of Buyer and Sponsor (including the Investment Management Trust Agreement), (c) the Additional Agreements, (d) the Sponsor Voting Letter Agreement or (e) any applicable securities Laws.
6.4 Non-Contravention. Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties in Sections 3.4, 4.4 and 5.4 the execution, delivery or performance by Sponsor of this Agreement or any Additional Agreements to which it is or will be a party does not or will not (a) contravene or conflict with Sponsor’s Organizational Documents or any of its Affiliates, (b) assuming all of the Company Governmental Approvals and Buyer Governmental Approvals are obtained and any applicable waiting periods referred to herein have expired, violate any provision of any Law or Order binding upon or applicable to Sponsor or its Affiliates, (c) constitute a default under or breach of (with or without the giving of notice or the passage of time or both) or violate or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation, amendment or acceleration of any right or obligation of Sponsor or its Affiliates or (d) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien (except for Permitted Liens) on any of the Sponsor Securities, in each case, except as would not be reasonably expected to materially delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder.
6.5 Litigation. There is no, and since January 1, 2019, there has been no, Action pending against, or to the knowledge of Buyer, threatened against, Sponsor before any Authority which would reasonably be expected to adversely affect Sponsor’s ownership of the Sponsor Securities, or otherwise materially delay or prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereunder or otherwise prevent Sponsor from complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements to which Sponsor is, or is specified to be, a party. Sponsor is not subject to any outstanding Order that would prevent or materially delay the Closing or otherwise prevent Sponsor from complying with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Additional Agreements to which Sponsor is or will be, a party. Since January 1, 2019, Sponsor is not, and has not previously been, subject to any Action with any Authority.
6.6 Finders Fees. Except for BTIG, LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Barclays Capital Inc., there is no investment banker, broker, finder or other intermediary which has been retained by or is authorized to act on behalf of Sponsor or any of its Affiliates who might be entitled to any brokerage, finder’s or other fee or commission from Buyer upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Additional Agreements.
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Article VII
COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND BUYER
The Company and Buyer, as applicable, covenant and agree that:
7.1 Conduct of the Business of the Company.
(a) From the Effective Date through the Closing Date, except as required by this Agreement or applicable Law, or with respect to actions taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Company required by any COVID-19 Measures or otherwise required to protect the business of the Company Group in response to COVID-19, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct their respective businesses in all material respects only in the ordinary course and shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to preserve substantially intact their respective properties, operations and relationships with the applicable Authorities, key employees, key suppliers and other Persons (it being understood that no action or failure to act permitted by Section 7.1(b) shall constitute a breach of this sentence).
(b) Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 7.1(b) and unless required by this Agreement or applicable Law, from the Effective Date until and including the Closing Date, without Buyer’s prior consent (with respect to the matters set forth in the following clauses (v), (vii) to (x), (xii) to (xv), (xvii), or (xix) solely as it relates to the foregoing clauses, the consent to which shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), the Company shall not, and shall cause its Subsidiaries not to:
(i) amend, modify or supplement its Organizational Documents other than pursuant to this Agreement or take or authorize any action to wind up the affairs or dissolve any member of the Company Group;
(ii) (A) except with respect to “Tax Distributions” (as defined in the Existing Company LLCA), pay, declare or promise to pay any dividends or other distributions with respect to its Securities, or pay, declare or promise to pay any other payments to any holder of Securities (other than, in the case of any equityholder that is a service provider of the Company Group, payments of compensation or employee benefits in the ordinary course of business) or (B) issue, sell, grant, redeem or repurchase any Securities or make any changes (by combination, reorganization, reclassification or otherwise) in the capital structure of any member of the Company Group (other than grants of Company equity awards to service providers of the Company Group in the ordinary course of business);
(iii) enter into any Contract or understanding or enter into or carry out any transaction that would be a Company Affiliate Arrangement if entered into prior to the Effective Date;
(iv) sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any member of the Company Group’s material assets other than in the ordinary course of business;
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(v) except as required by applicable Law or as required by the terms of any existing Employee Benefit Plan as in effect on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 4.20(a), (A) materially increase the amount of any bonus, salary or other compensation or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of the Company Group, (B) take any action to accelerate the timing or vesting of any payments or benefits, or the funding of any payments or benefits payable or to become payable to any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of the Company Group, in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business with respect to non-officer employees of the Company, (C) grant, or promise to grant, any bonuses, change in control payments, deferred compensation, severance, retention or equity or equity-based rights or other compensatory payments or benefits to any current or former employee, officer, director or other individual service provider of the Company Group, or (D) establish, adopt, enter into, commence participation in, terminate, increase the coverage or benefits available under, or amend any Employee Benefit Plan (or any plan or arrangement that would be an Employee Benefit Plan if in effect on the date of this Agreement), in each case, other than in the ordinary course of business with respect to non-officer employees of the Company;
(vi) (A) negotiate, modify, extend, or enter into any CBA or (B) recognize or certify any labor union, labor organization, works council, or group of employees as the bargaining representative for any employees of the Company Group;
(vii) implement or announce any employee layoffs, furloughs, reductions in force, reductions in compensation, hour or benefits, work schedule changes or similar actions that could implicate the WARN Act;
(viii) terminate (without cause) the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer or Chief Financial Officer;
(ix) (A) obtain or incur any loan or other Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000, (B) forgive, cancel or compromise any material debt or claim, or waive or release any right of material value or (C) grant any indemnity, bond or other guarantee for the benefit of any Person, in each case other than in the ordinary course of business;
(x) incur any Lien on the Company Group’s assets or Securities, except for Permitted Liens or the Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xi) merge or consolidate with or acquire any other Person or be acquired by any other Person;
(xii) extend any loans other than travel or other expense advances to employees in the ordinary course of business;
(xiii) (A) make, change, or revoke any material Tax election; (B) enter into any settlement or compromise with any Taxing Authority relating to any material Tax matter; (C) abandon or fail to conduct any material audit, examination, or other Action in respect of a material Tax or material Tax Return; (D) file any amended Tax Return in respect of material Taxes; (E) consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any material Tax or material Tax Return; (F) enter into any Tax Sharing Agreement (other than an Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement); (G) adopt or change a method of Tax accounting with respect to material Taxes; or (H) change an accounting period with respect to material Taxes;
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(xiv) commence, pay, discharge, settle or compromise any material Action;
(xv) assign, sell, transfer, abandon, let lapse, or otherwise dispose of, any Intellectual Property;
(xvi) disclose any Trade Secrets (other than pursuant to a written confidentiality agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business with reasonable protections of, and preserving all rights of the Company Group in, such Trade Secrets);
(xvii) make any change in its accounting methodology, practice or policy other than changes required by U.S. GAAP or applicable Law;
(xviii) waive or release any noncompetition, nonsolicitation, nondisclosure, noninterference, nondisparagement, or other restrictive covenant obligation of any current or former employee or independent contractor (other than any waiver of noncompetition or similar obligations for any former employee or independent contractor who had annual base compensation not in excess of $200,000 during his or her tenure with the Company); or
(xix) authorize, agree to or undertake any legally binding obligation to do any of the foregoing.
7.2 Conduct of the Business of Buyer.
(a) From the Effective Date through the Closing Date, Buyer shall remain a “blank check company” as defined under the Securities Act, shall keep current and timely file all of its public filings with the SEC, and shall not conduct any business operations or activities other than required in connection with this Agreement and ordinary course operations to maintain its status as a Nasdaq-listed special purpose acquisition company pending the completion of the transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Unless required by this Agreement or applicable Law, from the Effective Date until and including the Closing Date, without the Company’s prior consent (which such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), Buyer shall not:
(i) change, modify or amend the Trust Agreement, or the Buyer’s Organizational Documents, other than (A) to effectuate the A&R Certificate of Incorporation and the Buyer A&R By-laws, (B) to extended its deadline to consummate a “Business Combination” (defined below) in accordance with Section 7.15 hereof or (C) otherwise to facilitate the consummate the transactions contemplated hereby;
(ii) (A) make, declare, set aside or pay any dividends on, or make any other distribution (whether in cash, stock or property) in respect of any of its outstanding capital stock or other equity interests; (B) other than pursuant to the A&R Certificate of Incorporation, split, combine, reclassify or otherwise change any of its capital stock or other equity interests; or (C) other than the redemption of any shares of Buyer Common Stock required by the Buyer’s Organizational Documents, repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or offer to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Buyer;
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(iii) (A) make, change, or revoke any material Tax election; (B) enter into any settlement or compromise with any Taxing Authority relating to any material Tax matter; (C) abandon or fail to conduct any material audit, examination, or other Action in respect of a material Tax or material Tax Return; (D) file any amended Tax Return in respect of material Taxes; (E) consent to any extension or waiver of the statutory period of limitations applicable to any material Tax or material Tax Return; (F) enter into any Tax Sharing Agreement (other than any Ordinary Course Tax Sharing Agreement); (G) adopt or change a method of Tax accounting with respect to material Taxes; or (H) change an accounting period with respect to material Taxes;
(iv) enter into, renew or amend in any material respect, any Contract with a Buyer Related Party;
(v) enter into, or amend or modify any material term of (in a manner adverse to the Buyer), terminate (excluding any expiration in accordance with its terms), or waive or release any material rights, claims or benefits under, any Buyer Material Contract (or any Contract, that if existing on the date hereof, would have been a Buyer Material Contract) or any collective bargaining or similar agreement (including agreements with works councils and trade unions and side letters) to which the Buyer or its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound;
(vi) waive, release, compromise, settle or satisfy any pending or threatened claim (which shall include, but not be limited to, any pending or threatened Action) or compromise or settle any liability in excess of $1,000,000;
(vii) incur, create, assume, refinance, guarantee or otherwise become liable for (whether directly, contingently or otherwise) any Indebtedness;
(viii) (A) offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, or authorize or propose to offer, issue, deliver, grant or sell, any capital stock of, or other equity interests in, Buyer or any securities convertible into, or any rights, warrants or options to acquire, any such capital stock or equity interests or issue or take any actions that would result in the issuance of any New Buyer Securities to Sponsor, other than (1) in connection with the exercise of any Buyer Warrants outstanding on the date hereof or (2) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements and any Additional PIPE Investment) or (B) amend, modify or waive any of the terms or rights set forth in, any Buyer Warrant or the Warrant Agreement, including any amendment, modification or reduction of the warrant price set forth therein (other than by operation of its terms);
(ix) (A) fail to maintain its existence or acquire by merger or consolidation with, or merge or consolidate with, or purchase a material portion of the assets or equity of, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business organization or division thereof; or (B) adopt or enter into a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, recapitalization or other reorganization of Buyer or its Subsidiaries (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement);
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(x) make any capital expenditures;
(xi) make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person (including to any of its officers, directors, agents or consultants), make any change in its existing borrowing or lending arrangements for or on behalf of such Persons, or enter into any “keep well” or similar agreement to maintain the financial condition of any other Person;
(xii) enter into any new line of business outside of the business currently conducted by the Buyer as of the date of this Agreement;
(xiii) make any change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices, except insofar as may have been required by a change in GAAP (including pursuant to standards, guidelines and interpretations of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or any similar organization) or applicable Law;
(xiv) voluntarily fail to maintain, cancel or materially change coverage under any insurance policy in form and amount equivalent in all material respects to the insurance coverage currently maintained with respect to the Buyer and its Subsidiaries and their assets and properties; or
(xv) enter into any agreement or undertaking to do any action prohibited under this Section 7.2.
(c) from the Effective Date until and including the Closing Date, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to continue performing under the Buyer’s Organizational Documents, the Investment Management Trust Agreement and all other agreements or Contracts to which Buyer or its Subsidiaries may be a party.
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7.3 No Solicitation; Support.
(a) From the Effective Date through the earlier of (x) termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article IX and (y) the Closing, other than in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, neither the Company, on the one hand, nor Buyer, on the other hand, shall, and such Persons shall cause each of their respective Representatives not to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate, engage, participate in or knowingly encourage negotiations or discussions with any Person concerning, or the making of any offers or proposals related to, any Alternative Transaction, (ii) take any other action intended or designed to facilitate the efforts of any Person relating to a possible Alternative Transaction, (iii) enter into, engage in or continue any discussions or negotiations with respect to an Alternative Transaction with, or provide any non-public information, data or access to employees to, any Person that has made, or that is considering making, a proposal with respect to an Alternative Transaction or (iv) approve, recommend or enter into any Alternative Transaction or any Contract related to any Alternative Transaction. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Alternative Transaction” means any of the following transactions to which any member of the Company Group or Buyer, as applicable, is a party (other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement): (1) any merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, amalgamation, recapitalization, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution or other similar transaction or (2) any sale, lease, license, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the consolidated assets of such Person (other than the sale, the lease, license, transfer or other disposition of assets in the ordinary course of business) or Securities of any member of the Company Group or Buyer, as applicable, in a single transaction or series of transactions; provided, that the transactions contemplated in Section 7.8 (PIPE Investment) shall not constitute an Alternative Transaction. If there is an unsolicited proposal for, or an indication of interest in entering into, an Alternative Transaction, communicated in writing to the Company Group or Buyer or any of their respective Representatives (each, an “Alternative Proposal”), such party shall as promptly as practicable (and in any event within two (2) Business Days after receipt) advise the other party to this Agreement in writing of such Alternative Proposal and the material terms and conditions of any such Alternative Proposal (including any changes thereto) and the identity of the Person making any such Alternative Proposal. The Company shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately discontinue any ongoing communications or negotiations relating to any Alternative Transaction and instruct each other participant in its strategic process to destroy any confidential information of the Company Group (and terminate access to any data room for each such other participant). The Company and Buyer shall keep each other informed on a reasonably current basis of material developments with respect to any such Alternative Proposal. Buyer shall, and shall cause its Affiliates and Representatives to, immediately cease any and all existing discussions or negotiations with any Person conducted prior to the date hereof with respect to, or which is reasonably likely to give rise to or result in, an Alternative Proposal. Any breach of this Section 7.3 by a Representative of a party shall be deemed a breach of this Section 7.3 by such party.
(b) Existing Equityholder Support.
(i) Consent and Approval. Each Existing Equityholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally approves and consents to, with respect to all the Existing Company Units held by such Existing Equityholder, the reclassification of Existing Company Units into, and the issuance of, the Common Units, the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Additional Agreements (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the adoption by the Company of the A&R Operating Agreement), and such other actions necessary or advisable for the consummation of the foregoing transactions.
(ii) Retention of Units. Each Existing Equityholder agrees that such Existing Equityholder shall not, prior to the earlier of (x) the date on which this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms and (y) the Closing Date (the “Termination Date”), directly or indirectly, sell, offer for sale, transfer, tender, pledge, encumber, assign, or otherwise dispose of, or grant a proxy with respect to, any of the Existing Equityholder’s Existing Company Units.
(iii) Waiver of Appraisal Rights; Litigation. To the full extent permitted by Law, each Existing Equityholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, and agrees not to exercise, any rights of appraisal, any dissenters’ rights and any similar rights relating to the issuance of the Common Units that Existing Equityholder may directly or indirectly have arising out of or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements by virtue of the ownership of any Existing Company Units. Each Existing Equityholder further agrees not to commence, join in, facilitate, assist or encourage, and agrees to take all actions necessary to opt out of any class in any class action with respect to, any Action, derivative or otherwise, against Buyer, the Sponsor or the Company, any of their respective Affiliates, any of the foregoing Persons’ successors, and any of the foregoing Persons’ directors or officers relating to the negotiation, execution or delivery of this Agreement or the Additional Agreements or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including any Action (x) challenging the validity of, or seeking to enjoin the operation of, any provision of this Agreement or the Additional Agreements or (y) alleging a breach of any fiduciary or similar duty of the board of directors of the Company in connection with this Agreement, the Additional Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, and hereby irrevocably waives any claim or rights whatsoever with respect to any of the foregoing.
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(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 7.3(b), (A) each Existing Equityholder may, prior to the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, transfer all or a portion of the Existing Company Units owned by it to any “Blocker Corporation” (as defined in the A&R Operating Agreement) that is wholly-owned (directly or indirectly) by such Existing Equityholder (each, a “Qualified Blocker Corporation”) and (B) each Existing Equityholder that is a natural Person may, without the prior written consent of any other party hereto, transfer all or a portion of the Existing Company Units owned by such Existing Equityholder to any trust or other estate planning vehicle that is under the control of such Existing Equityholder and for the sole benefit of such Existing Equityholder and/or such Existing Equityholder’s spouse, former spouse, ancestors and descendants (whether natural or adopted), parents and their descendants and any spouse of the foregoing Persons (each, a “Qualified Transferee”); provided that each such Qualified Blocker Corporation or Qualified Transferee (as applicable) shall, as a condition to such transfer, execute a joinder or accession agreement reasonably acceptable to Buyer and the Company to become a party to this Agreement and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement with respect to such Existing Company Units.
(c) Sponsor Support.
(i) New Buyer Securities. In the event that any Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Warrants, Buyer Units or other Securities of Buyer are issued to Sponsor after the date of this Agreement pursuant to any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, reclassification, combination or exchange of Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Warrants or Buyer Units of, on or affecting the Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Warrants or Buyer Units owned by Sponsor or otherwise (such Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Warrants or Buyer Units, collectively the “New Buyer Securities”), then such New Buyer Securities acquired or purchased by Sponsor shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as if they constituted the Buyer Common Stock, Buyer Warrants or Buyer Units owned by Sponsor as of the date hereof.
(ii) Voting. At any meeting of the stockholders of Company, however called, or at any adjournment thereof (including, without limitation, the Buyer Special Meeting), or in any other circumstance in which the vote, consent or other approval of the stockholders of Buyer is sought, Sponsor shall (x) appear at each such meeting or otherwise cause all of its Buyer Common Stock to be counted as present thereat for purposes of calculating a quorum and (y) vote (or cause to be voted), or execute and deliver a written consent (or cause a written consent to be executed and delivered) covering, all of its Buyer Common Stock: (A) in favor of each of the Transaction Proposal, the Nasdaq Proposal, the Charter Proposals, the Director Election Proposal, the Award Plan Proposal, the ESPP Proposal and, if applicable, any Additional Proposal or Adjournment Proposal; (B) against any proposal for or relating to a “Business Combination”, as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents, other than the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters or any Additional Proposal, an Extension Proposal or Adjournment Proposal; (C) against any merger agreement or merger, consolidation, combination, sale of substantial assets, reorganization, recapitalization, dissolution, liquidation or winding up of or by Buyer (other than this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby); and (D) against any change in the business or management of the Buyer or any change to the Buyer Board (other than in connection with the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters) or extension of its deadline to consummate a “Business Combination” as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents.
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(iii) Sponsor shall comply with, and fully perform all of its obligations, covenants and agreements set forth in, that certain Letter Agreement, dated as of September 13, 2019, by and among the Sponsor, Buyer and certain other parties thereto (the “Sponsor Voting Letter Agreement”), including the obligations of the Sponsor pursuant to Section 1 therein to not redeem any Buyer Common Stock owned by Sponsor (including the Sponsor Shares) in connection with transactions contemplated hereby.
(iv) During the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the Termination Date, Sponsor shall not modify or amend any Contract between or among Sponsor, anyone related by blood, marriage or adoption to Sponsor or any Affiliate of Sponsor (other than Buyer), on the one hand, and Buyer or any of Buyer’s Subsidiaries, on the other hand, including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Sponsor Voting Letter Agreement.
7.4 Access to Information. From the Effective Date until and including the Closing Date, the Company and Buyer shall, to the best of their abilities and to the extent permitted by Law, (a) continue to give the other party and its Representatives access to its offices, properties, and Books and Records, (b) furnish to the other party and its Representatives such information relating to the business of the Company Group or Buyer as such Persons may reasonably request and (c) cause its respective Representatives to cooperate with the other party in such other party’s investigation of its business; provided, that no investigation pursuant to this Section 7.4 (or any investigation prior to the Effective Date) shall affect any representation or warranty given by the Company Group or Buyer and, provided, further, that any investigation pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be conducted in such manner as not to interfere unreasonably with the conduct of the business of the Company Group or Buyer. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither party shall be required to provide the access described above or disclose any information if doing so is reasonably likely to (i) result in a waiver of attorney client privilege, work product doctrine or similar privilege or (ii) violate any Contract to which it is a party or to which it is subject or applicable Law; provided, that the non-disclosing party must advise the other party that it is withholding such access or information and (to the extent reasonably practicable) and the basis on which the access not granted or information not disclosed; provided, further, that the non-disclosing party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to remove such impediment such that the information can be provided and, in the event that such impediment cannot be removed, to provide such information to the extent it would not result in the loss of such privilege or the violation of such Contract or applicable Law (including by providing a redacted version of the applicable document).
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7.5 Notices of Certain Events. Each of the Company and Buyer shall promptly notify the other party of:
(a) any notice or other communication from any Person (including any Authority) alleging that the Consent of such Person is or may be required in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement might give rise to any Action by or on behalf of such Person or result in the creation of any Lien on any Securities of the Company or share capital or capital stock of Buyer or any member of the Company Group’s or Buyer’s assets;
(b) any Actions commenced or, to such party’s knowledge, threatened in writing against such party that would prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any Additional Agreement; and
(c) the occurrence of any fact or circumstance to the knowledge of such party which results, or would result in the failure to satisfy the condition to the other party’s obligation to close as set forth in Section 8.2(b) or Section 8.2(c), on the one hand, or Section 8.3(b), on the other hand.
7.6 SEC Filings; Buyer Special Meeting.
(a) In connection with any filing Buyer makes with the SEC contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, the Company will, and will cause its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, in connection with the disclosure included in any such filing or the responses provided to the SEC in connection with the SEC’s comments to a filing, use commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cooperate with Buyer, (ii) respond to questions about the Company Group required in any filing or requested by the SEC, and (iii) provide any information reasonably requested by Buyer in connection with any filing with the SEC.
(b) Each of Buyer and the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as reasonably practical, to furnish the other party with such information as shall be reasonably requested concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, stockholders, and other equityholders and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested for inclusion in (including to be incorporated by reference in) or attachment to the Proxy Statement, the Closing Form 8-K or any other filing required to be made by Buyer with the SEC under the Exchange Act in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements. Each of the Buyer and the Company shall ensure that any information provided by it or on its behalf for inclusion in (including to be incorporated by reference in) or attachment to the Proxy Statement, at the earlier of the date it is filed with the SEC or first mailed to the Buyer stockholders, shall be accurate in all material respects and does not 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 are made, not misleading, and complies as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and in addition shall contain substantially the same financial and other information about the Company Group and its equityholders as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies. If at any time prior to the Closing (x) the Buyer or the Company becomes aware of (y) the Proxy Statement’s containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (y) any other information which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement so that it would not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company or the Buyer (as applicable) shall promptly inform Buyer or the Company (as applicable) and each cooperate with the other in filing with the SEC or mailing to Buyer’s stockholders an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement. Each of the Company and Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause their and their Subsidiaries’ managers, directors, officers and employees to be reasonably available to Buyer, the Company and their respective counsel in connection with the drafting of such filings and mailings and responding in a timely manner to comments from the SEC.
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(c) The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide to Buyer as promptly as practicable after the date of this Agreement: (i) unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company including consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), statements of members’ capital and statements of cash flows as of and for the nine (9) month periods ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 together with all related notes and schedules thereto, prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applied on a consistent basis throughout the covered periods and Regulation S-X of the SEC and reviewed by the Company’s independent auditor in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards No. 100 issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; (ii) all other audited and unaudited financial statements of the Company required under the applicable rules and regulations and guidance of the SEC to be included in the Proxy Statement or the Current Report on Form 8-K announcing the Closing (the “Closing Form 8-K”); (iii) all selected financial data of the Company required by Item 301 of Regulation S-K, as necessary for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and Closing Form 8-K; and (iv) management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations prepared in accordance with Item 303 of Regulation S-K of the SEC (as if the Company was subject thereto) with respect to the periods described in clause (i) and (ii) above, as necessary for inclusion in the Proxy Statement and Closing Form 8-K. Within forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of the twelve (12) month period ending December 31, 2020, the Company shall deliver to Buyer, unaudited consolidated financial statements. Within forty-five (45) calendar days following the end of the three (3) month period ending March 31, 2020, the Company shall deliver to Buyer unaudited consolidated financial statements reviewed by the Company’s auditor. The Company shall also promptly deliver to Buyer copies of any audited annual consolidated financial statements of the Company that the Company’s auditor may issue.
(d) As promptly as practicable after the Effective Date, Buyer shall prepare with the assistance and cooperation of the Company Group, and Buyer shall file with the SEC, proxy statement in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Additional Agreements and that has been mutually agreed upon by both Buyer and the Company (such agreement not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) (as amended, the “Proxy Statement”) for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Buyer’s stockholders for the matters to be acted upon at the Buyer Special Meeting and providing the public stockholders of Buyer an opportunity in accordance with Buyer’s Organizational Documents and the IPO Prospectus to have their Buyer Common Stock redeemed in conjunction with the stockholder vote on Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters as defined below. Buyer shall provide the Company and its counsel with a reasonable opportunity to review and comment the Proxy Statement prior to its filing with the SEC or mailing to shareholders and Buyer shall consider any comments by the Company and its counsel in good faith. Each of Buyer and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Proxy Statement to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and to comply with all state “blue sky” Laws applicable to carrying out the transactions contemplated hereby. The Proxy Statement shall include proxy materials for the purpose of soliciting proxies from Buyer stockholders to vote, at a special general meeting of Buyer’s stockholders to be called and held for such purpose (the “Buyer Special Meeting”), in favor of resolutions approving (i) the approval of the “Business Combination”, as such term is defined in Buyer’s Organizational Documents, and the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby by the holders of Buyer Common Stock in accordance with Buyer’s Organizational Documents, Delaware Law and the rules and regulations of the SEC and Nasdaq (the “Transaction Proposal”), (ii) the approval, for purposes of complying with and to the extent required by applicable Nasdaq listing rules, of the issuance by PubCo, as successor to Buyer, of the PubCo Class A Common Stock, PubCo Class B Common Stock and PubCo Class C Common Stock to be issued in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Nasdaq Proposal”) (iii) the adoption of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation in the form on Exhibit B and approval of each change to Buyer’s existing certificate of incorporation required to be separately approved (the “Charter Proposals”) effective as of the Closing, (iv) the election of directors effective as of the Closing (the “Director Election Proposal”), (v) the adoption and approval of the AST SpaceMobile, Inc. 2020 Incentive Award Plan in the form set forth on Exhibit I hereto (the “Award Plan Proposal”) effective as of the Closing, (vi) the adoption and approval of the AST SpaceMobile Inc. 2020 Employee Stock Purchase Plan set forth on Exhibit J hereto (the “ESPP Proposal”) effective as of the Closing, (vii) such other matters as the Company Group and Buyer shall hereafter mutually determine to be necessary or appropriate in order to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the Additional Agreements (each, an “Additional Proposal”) (the approvals described in foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), collectively, the “Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters”), and (viii) the adjournment of the Buyer Special Meeting, if necessary, to permit further solicitation of proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve and adopt any of the foregoing proposals (the “Adjournment Proposal”). Without the prior written consent of the Company, the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters shall be the only matters (other than procedural matters) which Buyer shall propose to be acted on by Buyer’s stockholders at the Buyer Special Meeting.
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(e) To the extent not prohibited by Law, Buyer will advise the Company, reasonably promptly after Buyer receives notice thereof, of the time when the Proxy Statement or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop Order or the suspension of the qualification of the Buyer Class A Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Proxy Statement or for additional information. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Proxy Statement each time before any such document is filed with the SEC by Buyer and Buyer shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by the Company and its counsel. To the extent not prohibited by Law, each of Buyer and the Company shall provide the each other party and their counsel with (i) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that such party or its counsel may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Proxy Statement promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (ii) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of such party to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given), including by participating with the other parties or their counsel in any discussions or meetings with the SEC.
(f) The Buyer Board shall not (and no committee or subgroup thereof shall) change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, or publicly propose to change, withdraw, withhold, qualify or modify, the Buyer Board Recommendation.
(g) As promptly as practical, but in no event more than thirty-five (35) days following the date upon which the SEC staff confirms (A) it has no further comments on the Proxy Statement or (B) that it will not review the Proxy Statement (such date, the “Clearance Date”), Buyer Board shall convene and hold the Buyer Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL. Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies or votes in favor of the approval of Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters as promptly as practicable following the Clearance Date, and take all other actions reasonably necessary or advisable to obtain the approval of Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters, including, (i) establish the record date (which record date shall be mutually agreed with the Company) for, duly call and give notice of Buyer Special Meeting in accordance with the DGCL, (ii) cause the Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Buyer’s stockholders in compliance with applicable Law no later than five (5) Business Days following the Clearance Date and (iii) solicit proxies from the holders of Buyer Common Stock to vote in accordance with the recommendation of the Buyer Board with respect to each of the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters. Buyer shall, through the Buyer Board recommend to its stockholders that they approve the Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters (the “Buyer Board Recommendation”) and shall include the Buyer Board Recommendation in the Proxy Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the foregoing, if on the date for which Buyer Special Meeting is scheduled, Buyer has not received proxies representing a sufficient number of shares to obtain the Required Buyer Stockholder Approval (as defined below), whether or not a quorum is present, Buyer may make up to one (1) postponement or adjournment of Buyer Special Meeting; provided that (x) the Buyer Special Meeting may not be postponed or adjourned by an aggregate of twenty (20) Business Days without the Company’s prior written consent and (y) the Buyer Special Meeting is held no later than five (5) Business Days prior to the Termination Date.
(h) With respect to any Buyer stockholder outreach in connection with the Buyer Special Meeting, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to, and shall cause its Representatives to, provide to Buyer all cooperation reasonably requested by Buyer, which commercially reasonable efforts shall include (x) furnishing Buyer with information to be used in the preparation of one or more information packages or marketing materials regarding the business, operations, financial projections or prospects of the Company and (y) causing the Company’s Representatives with appropriate seniority and expertise to participate in a reasonable number of meetings or presentations.
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7.7 Trust Account. Prior to the Closing (subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article VIII) Buyer shall make appropriate arrangements to cause the funds in the Trust Account to be disbursed in accordance with the Investment Management Trust Agreement and for the payment of (a) all amounts payable to stockholders of Buyer holding Buyer Units who shall have validly redeemed their Buyer Units or Buyer Common Stock, (b) the expenses of Buyer to the third parties to which they are owed, (c) the Deferred Underwriting Commission and (d) the remaining monies in the Trust Account to Buyer. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the Investment Management Trust Agreement, Buyer shall not agree to, or permit, any amendment or modification of, or waiver under, the Investment Management Trust Agreement without the prior written consent of the Company.
7.8 PIPE Investment. Without the prior written consent of the Company, Buyer shall not permit any amendment or modification to be made to, or any waiver (in whole or in part) of any provision or remedy under, or any replacements of, any of the Subscription Agreements or enter into any additional subscription agreement with respect to Buyer Class A Common Stock. Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements on the terms and conditions set forth therein, including maintaining in effect the Subscription Agreements and to: (a) satisfy in all material respects on a timely basis all conditions and covenants applicable to Buyer in the Subscription Agreements; and (b) in the event that all conditions in the Subscription Agreements have been satisfied, consummate the transactions contemplated by the Subscription Agreements at, or substantially simultaneously with, the Closing. Buyer may, prior to the Closing, enter into additional subscription agreements for the sale of Buyer Class A Common Stock, on terms substantially identical to those in the Subscription Agreement (the “Additional PIPE Investment”) up to an additional aggregate amount not to exceed the Additional PIPE Investment Cap. Without the prior written consent of the Company, Buyer shall not enter into any additional subscription agreements for the sale of Buyer Class A Common Stock if the amount of Buyer Common Stock sold in private placements would exceed the Additional PIPE Investment Cap. Without the prior written consent of the Company, Buyer shall not enter into any subscription agreements for the sale of Buyer Class A Common Stock that are not substantially identical to those of the Subscription Agreements.
7.9 Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance.
(a) The parties agree that all rights to exculpation, indemnification and advancement of expenses existing in favor of the current or former directors and officers of (x) Buyer (the “Buyer D&O Indemnified Persons”) and (y) the Company and its Subsidiaries (the “Company D&O Indemnified Persons” and, together with the Buyer D&O Indemnified Persons, the “D&O Indemnified Persons”) as provided in their respective Organizational Documents, in each case as in effect on the date of this Agreement, or under any indemnification, employment or other similar agreements (including the advancing of expenses as incurred to the fullest extent permitted under applicable Law) between any D&O Indemnified Person and any of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Buyer (as applicable) in effect on the Effective Date and disclosed in Schedule 7.9(a), shall survive the Closing and continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms to the extent permitted by applicable Law. For a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date, PubCo shall cause the Organizational Documents of PubCo and the Company to contain provisions no less favorable with respect to exculpation and indemnification of and advancement of expenses to D&O Indemnified Persons than are set forth as of the date of this Agreement in the Organizational Documents of Buyer to the extent permitted by applicable Law.
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(b) For a period of six (6) years from the Closing, the PubCo shall, or shall cause its Affiliates or Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering the D&O Indemnified Persons on terms substantially equivalent to, and in any event not less favorable in the aggregate, the terms of such current insurance coverage; provided, that in no event shall PubCo be required to expend for such policies pursuant to this Section 7.9 an aggregate amount in excess of three hundred percent (300%) of the aggregate annual premium payable by the Company Group or Buyer, as applicable for the last full fiscal year, which amounts are set forth in Schedule 7.9(b). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer or the Company may cause coverage to be extended under the current directors’ and officers’ liability insurance by obtaining a six-year “tail” policy with respect to claims existing or occurring at or prior to the Closing and (i) if and to the extent such policies have been obtained prior to the Closing with respect to any such Persons, the Company Group and PubCo shall maintain (and cause their Subsidiaries to maintain) such policies in effect and continue to honor the obligations thereunder, and (ii) if any claim is asserted or made within such six-year period, any insurance required to be maintained under this Schedule 7.9(b) shall be continued in respect of such claim until the final disposition thereof.
(c) The provisions of this Section 7.9 shall survive the Closing and are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, each of the D&O Indemnified Persons and their respective heirs and Representatives.
7.10 Efforts; Further Assurances.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary or desirable under applicable Laws, and cooperate as reasonably requested by the other parties, to consummate and implement expeditiously each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (including the receipt of all applicable Governmental Approvals). The parties shall execute and deliver such other documents, certificates, agreements and other writings and take such other actions as may be reasonably necessary or reasonably desirable in order to consummate or implement expeditiously each of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain each third party Consent that is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Additional Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall the Company Group or Buyer be obligated to pay any monetary compensation (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding the payment of administrative, filing, application, processing or similar fees or charges) or grant any concession in connection with obtaining any Consents, authorizations or approvals required in order to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the terms of any Contract to which any member of the Company Group is a party.
(b) Buyer and the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions as may be requested by any such Authority to obtain all applicable Governmental Approvals.
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7.11 Tax Matters.
(a) The Company shall, or at the option of the Existing Equityholder Representative, the Existing Equityholder Representative shall, at the cost and expense of the Company, prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Flow-Thru Tax Returns of the Company Group for any taxable period ending on or prior to the Closing Date including without limitation any such Flow-Thru Tax Returns for years 2017, 2018 or 2019 that have not been filed as of the date hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, excluding any portion of any Straddle Period) (collectively, the “Existing Equityholder Prepared Returns”). Each Existing Equityholder Prepared Return shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the Company Group’s past practices except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law. From and after the Closing, each Existing Equityholder Prepared Return due or filed after the Closing Date shall be submitted to Buyer for review no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the due date for filing such Existing Equityholder Prepared Return (taking into account applicable extensions) and the Existing Equityholder Representative shall consider in good faith all reasonable comments received from Buyer no later than five (5) days prior to the due date for filing any such Existing Equityholder Prepared Return (taking into account applicable extensions). Buyer shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all Flow-Thru Tax Returns of the Company Group (for the avoidance of doubt, other than Existing Equityholder Prepared Returns) for any Straddle Period (the “Buyer Prepared Returns”). Each Buyer Prepared Return shall be prepared in a manner consistent with the Company Group’s past practice except as otherwise required by applicable Tax Law. Each Buyer Prepared Return shall be submitted to the Existing Equityholder Representative for review and approval no later than thirty (30) days prior to the due date for filing such Tax Return (taking into account applicable extensions) and all reasonable comments received from the Existing Equityholder Representative within five (5) days prior to the due date for filing any such Buyer Prepared Return shall be incorporated in such Buyer Prepared Return. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Tax Return described in this Section 7.11(a) for a taxable period that includes the Closing Date (i) for which the “interim closing method” under Section 706 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) is available shall be prepared in accordance with such method, (ii) shall be prepared in accordance with Section 706(d)(3) of the Code to the extent applicable, (iii) for which an election under Section 754 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) may be made shall make such election, and (iv) shall be prepared in a manner such that any and all deductions, losses, or credits of the Company Group resulting from, attributable to, or accelerated by the payment of expenses in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are allocated to a Pre-Closing Tax Period to the extent permitted by applicable Tax Law. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each Existing Equityholder (and their respective Affiliates), at the sole cost and expense of such Existing Equityholder (or their respective Affiliates), shall be responsible for filing all of the Tax Returns required to be filed by such Existing Equityholders (or such Existing Equityholder’s respective Affiliates) under applicable Tax Law and timely paying all of the Taxes due and owing by such Existing Equityholder (or by such Existing Equityholder’s respective Affiliates) (including to the extent attributable to income of any member of the Company Group that flows up to such Existing Equityholder (or such Existing Equityholder’s respective Affiliates) in respect of its direct or indirect ownership of any member of the Company Group that are Flow-Thru Entities).
(b) Without the prior written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), Buyer shall not, and shall not permit any of its Affiliates to file, re-file or amend any Existing Equityholder Prepared Returns or Buyer Prepared Returns of any member of the Company Group on any such Tax Return, or make any election that would have retroactive effect on any such Tax Return.
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(c) Each party shall reasonably cooperate (and cause its Affiliates to reasonably cooperate), as and to the extent reasonably requested by each other party, in connection with the preparation and filing of Tax Returns pursuant to Section 7.11(a) and any examination or other Tax Action with respect to Taxes or Tax Returns of any member of the Company Group for any Pre-Closing Tax Period or Straddle Period. Such cooperation shall include the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any such audit or other Tax Action and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. Following the Closing, the Company and the Existing Equityholders shall (and the Existing Equityholders shall cause their respective Affiliates to) retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Company Group relating to any taxable period (or portion of any taxable period) beginning before the Closing Date until the expiration of the statute of limitations (including any extensions thereof) of the respective taxable periods, and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Taxing Authority. The Existing Equityholders shall (and shall cause their respective Affiliates to) provide any information reasonably requested to allow Buyer or the Company Group to comply with any information reporting or withholding requirements contained in the Code or other applicable Laws or to compute the amount of payroll or other employment Taxes due with respect to any payment made in connection with this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 7.11(c) shall not apply to any dispute or threatened dispute among the parties.
(d) All Transfer Taxes shall constitute Transaction Expenses. Unless otherwise required by applicable Law, the Company shall prepare and file, or cause to be prepared and filed, all necessary Tax Returns in respect of such Transfer Taxes and other documentation with respect to all Transfer Taxes, and, if required by applicable Law, the Existing Equityholders, the Company Group and Buyer shall, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to, reasonably cooperate and join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation. The parties shall reasonably cooperate to establish any available exemption from (or reduction in) any such Transfer Taxes.
(e) The parties acknowledge and agree that for U.S. federal and, as applicable, state and local Tax purposes, it is intended that (i) the payment and contribution of the Closing Date Contribution Amount contemplated by Section 2.1(b) be treated as a contribution of such Closing Date Contribution Amount by Buyer to the Company governed by Section 721(a) of the Code (and any similar applicable state or local provisions of Tax Law) and (ii) the recapitalization of the equity interests of the Company in connection with the execution of the A&R Operating Agreement will be treated as a non-taxable recapitalization of the equity of the Company (clauses (i) and (ii), the “Intended Tax Treatment”). The parties shall, and shall cause each of their respective applicable Affiliates to prepare and file all Tax Returns consistent with the Intended Tax Treatment; take no position in any communication (whether written or unwritten) with any Taxing Authority or any other action inconsistent with the Intended Tax Treatment (unless otherwise required by applicable Law or a determination by a Taxing Authority); promptly inform each other of any challenge by any Taxing Authority to any portion of the Intended Tax Treatment; and consult with and keep one another informed with respect to the status of, and any discussion, proposal or submission with respect to, any such challenge to any portion of the Intended Tax Treatment.
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(f) Without the prior written consent of Buyer, the Company shall not make or cause or permit there to be made any election under Treasury Regulation Section 301.9100-22 (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Laws) with respect to any member of the Company Group. With respect to any audit, examination, or other Tax Action for any Pre-Closing Tax Period relating to a Flow-Thru Tax Return or any member of the Company Group that is a Flow-Thru Entity and for which the election provided for in Section 6226 of the Code (or any similar provision of state, local, or non-U.S. Laws) is available, the Company shall timely make or cause there to be timely made for any member of the Company Group all such available elections in accordance with applicable Laws. From and after the Closing, Buyer shall have the right to participate, at its sole cost and expense, in any Tax Action of any member of the Company Group that is a Flow-Thru Entity for any Pre-Closing Tax Period (or Straddle Period), and no such Tax Action shall be settled or compromised without the prior written consent of Buyer (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to the extent the settlement or compromise of any such Tax Action would reasonably be expected to result in any imputed underpayment imposed pursuant to Section 6232 of the Code on any member of the Company Group and for which no election under Section 6226 of the Code is available.
(g) The Company and each relevant Subsidiary of the Company shall have an effective election under Section 754 of the Code in effect for the taxable year that includes the Closing Date.
(h) Notwithstanding anything contained in the A&R Operating Agreement, in the event of any conflict between this Section 7.11 and any provisions of the A&R Operating Agreement (other than Section 8.5 of the A&R Operating Agreement), this Section 7.11 shall control.
7.12 Buyer Filings and Nasdaq Listing.
(a) From the date hereof through the Closing, Buyer will keep current and timely file all reports required to be filed or furnished with the SEC and otherwise comply in all material respects with its reporting obligations under applicable securities Laws.
(b) From the date hereof through the Closing, Buyer shall use commercially reasonable efforts to ensure Buyer remains listed as a public company on, and for shares of Buyer Common Stock to be listed on, Nasdaq.
7.13 Sponsor Forfeitures. In the event that, at the Closing, the Buyer Actual Cash Amount is less than $400,000,000, Sponsor and the Buyer shall irrevocably cause to be terminated, forfeited and cancelled, for no consideration and without further right, obligation or liability of any kind or nature on the part of Sponsor, the Buyer or any other Person, a number of Sponsor Shares (such terminated, forfeited and canceled shares, the “Forfeited Sponsor Shares”) such that the total number of issued and outstanding Sponsor Shares immediately prior to the Closing equals twenty percent (20%) of the total number of shares of issued and outstanding Buyer Common Stock as of immediately prior to Closing.
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7.14 Communications License Matters.
(a) From the Effective Date through the Closing Date, except as required by this Agreement or applicable Law, the Company shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to:
(i) maintain the Company’s FCC licenses; as of the date of this Agreement, the Company holds two experimental licenses granted by the FCC to operate at the Company’s Midland, TX test site of the BW1 test satellite at the two LTE frequency ranges (846.5-849 and 891.5-894 MHz) through May 21, 2021 (Call Sign: WJ2XZZ; File Number: 0884-EX-CN-2018) and at 2033.5 MHz through July 1, 2021 (Call Sign: WK2XCX; File Number 0047-EX-CN-2019) (the “Experimental Licenses”);
(ii) operate in accordance with the terms of the Experimental License and in compliance in all material respects with the Communications Act, FCC rules, regulations and policies;
(iii) keep Buyer fully informed and on a timely basis of any material communications and inquiries (whether written or oral) received by any member of the Company Group or an Existing Equityholder from, or given by any member of the Company Group or an Existing Equityholder to, the FCC, and of any material communication received or given in connection with any action by a private party, in each case with respect to the FCC Licenses, the FCC Applications, the FCC Transfer Application or the Company Group, and promptly provide Buyer with true and complete copies of all documents filed with, submitted to or received from the FCC with respect to FCC Licenses, the FCC Applications, the FCC Transfer Application or the Company Group;
(iv) maintain the Company’s license granted by Papua New Guinea to operate its non-geostationary constellation (Radiocommunications Apparatus License #RCAP-SS-0000-002, issued November 13, 2018, expiring November 13, 2023) in full force and effect, and not modify or terminate such license;
(v) except for the FCC Transfer Application, FCC Experimental License Applications, FCC Earth Station Applications and submissions related to ongoing FCC proceedings, not file any new FCC Applications without Buyer’s prior written consent, provide Buyer with reasonable time to review and comment on all such new FCC Applications prior to filing, and consider in good faith all reasonable comments of Buyer on such new FCC Applications; and
(vi) diligently prosecute the FCC Applications to favorable conclusions (including without limitation promptly providing all information requested by the FCC and opposing any third party comments or filings that request denial or adverse variations to or conditions on the Company or its Subsidiaries or the Business), (B) not amend or withdraw the FCC Applications, and (C) not take any action that would, or fail to take any action the failure of which to take would, reasonably be expected to have the effect of preventing or materially delaying the receipt of grants of the FCC Applications.
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(b) Buyer and Company agree to make good faith commercially reasonable efforts to work together to file the Transfer Application, which application shall be filed no later than ten (10) Business Days after the date of this Agreement. The parties to the FCC Transfer Application shall diligently prosecute the FCC Transfer Application and otherwise use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the FCC Consent prior to the Closing Date. The parties to the FCC Transfer Application shall furnish each other with such information and assistance as the other may reasonably request in connection with their preparation and prosecution of the FCC Transfer Application.
7.15 Extension of Time Period to Consummate a Business Combination.
(a) If the Proxy Statement relating to the Buyer Special Meeting has not been mailed to the stockholders of the Buyer with the SEC by January 15, 2021 as promptly as reasonably practicable after such date, Buyer shall prepare (with the reasonable cooperation of the Company Group) and file with the SEC a proxy statement (such proxy statement, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the “Extension Proxy Statement”) pursuant to which it shall seek the approval of its stockholders for proposals to amend (i) the Buyer’s Organizational Documents and (ii) the Trust Agreement, in each case, to extend the time period for Buyer to consummate its initial business combination from March 15, 2021 (the “Extension Approval End Date”) to the date that is ninety (90) days after the six-month anniversary of the date of this Agreement (such date, the “Extended Deadline” and such proposals, the “Extension Proposals”). Buyer shall use its reasonable efforts to cause the Extension Proxy Statement to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, to have the Extension Proxy Statement cleared by the SEC as promptly as practicable after such filing. Buyer shall provide the Company a reasonable opportunity to review the Extension Proxy Statement prior to its filing with the SEC and will consider in good faith the incorporation of any comments thereto provided by the Company.
(b) To the extent not prohibited by Law, Buyer will advise the Company, reasonably promptly after Buyer receives notice thereof, of the time when the Extension Proxy Statement or any supplement or amendment has been filed, of the issuance of any stop Order or the suspension of the qualification of the Buyer Class A Common Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or written threat of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the SEC for the amendment or supplement of the Extension Proxy Statement or for additional information. To the extent not prohibited by Law, the Company and its counsel shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the Extension Proxy Statement each time before any such document is filed with the SEC by Buyer and Buyer shall give reasonable and good faith consideration to any comments made by the Company and its counsel. To the extent not prohibited by Law, each of Buyer and the Company shall provide the each other party and their counsel with (i) any comments or other communications, whether written or oral, that such party or its counsel may receive from time to time from the SEC or its staff with respect to the Extension Proxy Statement promptly after receipt of those comments or other communications and (ii) a reasonable opportunity to participate in the response of such party to those comments and to provide comments on that response (to which reasonable and good faith consideration shall be given), including by participating with the other parties or their counsel in any discussions or meetings with the SEC.
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(c) Each of Buyer and the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to, as promptly as reasonably practical, to furnish the other party with such information as shall be reasonably requested concerning itself, its Subsidiaries, officers, directors, managers, stockholders, and other equityholders and information regarding such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable or as may be reasonably requested for inclusion in (including to be incorporated by reference in) or attachment to the Extension Proxy Statement. Each of the Buyer and the Company shall ensure that any information provided by it or on its behalf for inclusion in (including to be incorporated by reference in) or attachment to the Extension Proxy Statement, at the earlier of the date it is filed with the SEC or first mailed to the Buyer stockholders, shall be accurate in all material respects and does not 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 are made, not misleading, and complies as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and in addition shall contain substantially the same financial and other information about the Company Group and its equityholders as is required under Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies. If at any time prior to the Closing the Buyer or the Company becomes aware of (x) the Extension Proxy Statement’s containing any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (y) any other information which is required to be set forth in an amendment or supplement to the Extension Proxy Statement so that it would not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, the Company or the Buyer (as applicable) shall promptly inform Buyer or the Company (as applicable) and each cooperate with the other in filing with the SEC or mailing to Buyer’s stockholders an amendment or supplement to the Extension Proxy Statement. Each of the Company and Buyer shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause their and their Subsidiaries’ managers, directors, officers and employees to be reasonably available to Buyer, the Company and their respective counsel in connection with the drafting of such filings and mailings and responding in a timely manner to comments from the SEC.
(d) Buyer shall (i) as promptly as practicable after the Extension Proxy Statement is cleared by the SEC, (A) cause the Extension Proxy Statement to be disseminated to Buyer’s stockholders in compliance with applicable Law, (B) duly (x) give notice of and (y) convene and hold a meeting of its stockholders (the “Buyer Extension Meeting”) in accordance with the Buyer’s Organizational Documents and Nasdaq Listing Rule 5620(b), for a date no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Extension Approval End Date (or such later date as the Company and Buyer shall agree), and (C) solicit proxies from the holders of Buyer Common Stock to vote in favor of each of the Extension Proposals, and (ii) provide its stockholders with the opportunity to elect to effect a Buyer Stock Redemption; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Section 7.15 to the extent (1) the Required Buyer Stockholder Approval is obtained at any time before the Buyer Extension Meeting is held and (2) the Closing has occurred prior to the Extension Approval End Date, all obligations under this Section 7.15, shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. Buyer shall, through its Board of Directors, recommend to its stockholders the approval of the Extension Proposals, and include such recommendation in the Proxy Statement. The Buyer Board shall not withdraw, amend, qualify or modify its recommendation to the stockholders of Buyer that they vote in favor of the Extension Proposals.
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(e) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, (x) Buyer agrees to establish a record date for, duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Buyer Extension Meeting and submit for approval the Extension Proposals and (y) Buyer agrees that if the Buyer Extension Approval shall not have been obtained at any such Buyer Extension Meeting, then Buyer shall promptly continue to take all such necessary actions, including the actions required by this Section 7.15, and hold additional Buyer Extension Meetings in order to obtain the Buyer Extension Approval. Buyer may only adjourn the Buyer Extension Meeting (i) to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of obtaining the Buyer Extension Approval, (ii) for the absence of a quorum, (iii) to allow reasonable additional time for the filing or mailing of any supplemental or amended disclosure that Buyer has determined in good faith after consultation with outside legal counsel is required under applicable Law and for such supplemental or amended disclosure to be disseminated and reviewed by stockholders of Buyer prior to the Buyer Extension Meeting or (iv) with the prior written consent of the Company (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) in the event that, as a result of the Buyer Stock Redemptions submitted by the Buyer’s stockholders prior to the Buyer Extension Meeting, the conditions set forth in Section 8.3(d) would not be satisfied as of the Closing; provided, that the Buyer Extension Meeting (A) may not be adjourned to a date that is more than twenty (20) days after the date for which the Buyer Extension Meeting was originally scheduled (excluding any adjournments required by applicable Law) and (B) is held no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the Extension Approval End Date.
Article VIII
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
8.1 Condition to the Obligations of the Parties. The obligations of all of the parties to consummate the Closing and the transactions contemplated by the Additional Agreements are subject to the satisfaction of all the following conditions:
(a) No applicable Law and no Order shall be in effect that prohibits or prevents the consummation of the Closing or the transactions contemplated by the Additional Agreements.
(b) Buyer Stockholder Approval Matters that are submitted to the vote of the stockholders of Buyer at Buyer Special Meeting in accordance with Buyer’s Organizational Documents shall have been approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of Buyer at Buyer Special Meeting in accordance with Buyer’s Organizational Documents (the “Required Buyer Stockholder Approval”).
(c) Buyer shall have at least $5,000,001 in tangible net assets (as determined in accordance with Rule 3a51-1(g)(1) of the Exchange Act) as of immediately prior to Closing.
(d) Buyer shall remain listed on Nasdaq. Buyer shall not have received any written notice from Nasdaq that it has failed, or would reasonably be expected to fail to meet the Nasdaq listing requirements as of the Closing Date for any reason, where such notice has not been subsequently withdrawn by Nasdaq or the underlying failure appropriately remedied or satisfied.
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8.2 Conditions to Obligations of Buyer. The obligation of Buyer to consummate the Closing and the transactions contemplated by the Additional Agreements are subject to the satisfaction, or the waiver at Buyer’s sole and absolute discretion, of all the following further conditions:
(a) The Company and the Existing Equityholders shall have duly performed all of their respective obligations hereunder required to be performed by it at or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects (disregarding all references to “material respects” that may already be contained in the applicable covenants).
(b) (i) (A) All of the representations and warranties of the Company in Article IV (other than Sections 4.1 (Corporate Existence and Power), 4.2 (Authorization), 4.4(a) (Non-Contravention), 4.5 (Capital Structure) and 4.24 (Finders’ Fees)) and (B) all of the representations and warranties of the Existing Equityholders in Sections 3.4(b), 3.4(c), and 3.4(d) (Non-Contravention), in each case disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date except as provided in the Company Disclosure Schedules pursuant to Article IV (except that if the representation and warranties that speak as of a specific date prior to the Closing Date, such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such earlier date), except as would not in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Company Material Adverse Effect; and (ii) (A) all of the representations and warranties of the Company in Sections 4.1 (Corporate Existence and Power), 4.2 (Authorization), 4.4(a) (Non-Contravention), 4.5 (Capital Structure) and 4.24 (Finders’ Fees) and (B) all of the representations and warranties of the Existing Equityholders contained in Article III (other than Sections 3.4(b), 3.4(c) and 3.4(d) (Non-Contravention)), in each case disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality or Company Material Adverse Effect, shall be true and correct as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date in all material respects (except that if the representation and warrants that speak as of a specific date prior to the Closing Date, such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such earlier date).
(c) Since the date of this Agreement, there shall have been no Company Material Adverse Effect which is continuing and uncured.
(d) Buyer shall have received a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company to the effect set forth in clauses (a) through (c) of this Section 8.2.
(e) Buyer shall have received (i) a copy of the Organizational Documents of the Company as in effect as of the Closing Date, (ii) the copies of resolutions duly adopted by the appropriate governing body of the Company and by the Existing Equityholders authorizing this Agreement, the Additional Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and (iii) a recent certificate of good standing as of a date no later than thirty (30) days prior to the Closing Date regarding the Company from the jurisdiction in which the Company is formed.
(f) Buyer shall have received duly executed counterparts from the Company and the Existing Equityholders, as applicable, of the Additional Agreements.
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8.3 Conditions to Obligations of the Company. The obligations of the Company to consummate the Closing and the transactions contemplated by the Additional Agreements are subject to the satisfaction, or the waiver at the Company’s discretion, of all of the following further conditions:
(a) Buyer shall have duly performed all of their obligations hereunder required to be performed by them at or prior to the Closing Date in all material respects (disregarding all references to “material respects” that may already be contained in the applicable covenants).
(b) (i) (A) All of the representations and warranties of Buyer contained in Article V in this Agreement (other than Sections 5.1 (Corporate Existence and Power) 5.2 (Corporate Authorization), 5.4(a) (Non-Contravention) 5.5 (Finders’ Fees), 5.6 (Issuance of Stock) and 5.7 (Capitalization)) and (B) all of the representations and warranties of the Sponsor in Sections 6.4(b), 6.4(c) and 6.4(d) (Non-Contravention)), in each case disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality, shall be true and correct at and as of the date of this Agreement and as of the Closing Date (except that if the representation and warranties that speak as of a specific date prior to the Closing Date, such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such earlier date) other than where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct taken in the aggregate would not be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on Buyer, and (ii) (A) all of the representations and warranties of Buyer in Sections 5.1 (Corporate Existence and Power) 5.2 (Corporate Authorization), 5.4(a) (Non-Contravention) 5.5 (Finders’ Fees), 5.6 (Issuance of Stock) and 5.7 (Capitalization) and (B) all of the representations and warranties of the Sponsor contained in Article VI (other than Sections 6.4(b), 6.4(c) and 6.4(d) (Non-Contravention)), in each case, disregarding all qualifications and exceptions contained herein relating to materiality, shall be true and correct as of the Effective Date and as of the Closing Date in all material respects (except that if the representation and warranties that speak as of a specific date prior to the Closing Date, such representations and warranties need only to be true and correct as of such earlier date).
(c) The Company shall have received a certificate signed by an authorized officer of Buyer to the effect set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 8.3.
(d) As of the Closing, the Buyer shall have no less than $250,000,000 in immediately available cash, after deducting all Transaction Expenses, comprised of (i) amounts not redeemed from the Buyer’s Trust Account following the Buyer Stock Redemption, and (ii) amounts raised in private transactions including any PIPE Investment and Additional PIPE Investment.
(e) Buyer shall have no Indebtedness.
Article IX
TERMINATION
9.1 Termination.
(a) This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing by mutual written consent of Buyer and the Company.
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(b) This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing by written notice by either Buyer or the Company if any Law or Order permanently restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the transactions contemplated by this Agreement has become final and non-appealable; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(b) shall not be available to a party if the failure by such party (in the case of the Company, Company or any Existing Equityholder) to comply with any provision of this Agreement is the principal cause of the Law or Order or the failure of the Law or Order to be lifted.
(c) In the event that the Closing of the transactions contemplated hereunder has not occurred by the Outside Closing Date, Buyer or the Company, as the case may be, shall have the right, at its sole option, to terminate this Agreement without liability to the other side; provided, however, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(c) shall not be available to a party if the failure by such party (in the case of the Company, the Company or any Existing Equityholder) to comply with any provision of this Agreement is the principal cause of the Closing not occurring prior to the Outside Closing Date. Such right may be exercised by Buyer or the Company, as the case may be, by giving written notice to the other at any time after the Outside Closing Date. “Outside Closing Date” means the deadline for Buyer to consummate its initial business combination pursuant to the Buyer’s Organizational Documents, which is initially March 15, 2021 provided, however, that, in the event that the Extension Proposals are approved by the stockholders of Buyer pursuant to Section 7.15, the “Outside Closing Date” shall mean the Extended Deadline.
(d) Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving notice to the Company Group prior to the Closing if the Company or any Existing Equityholder shall have materially breached any of such Person’s representations, warranties, agreements or covenants contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing and such breach (i) would result in the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b) and (ii) is incapable of being cured by the Outside Closing Date, or if capable of being cured by the Outside Closing Date, shall not be cured within twenty (20) days following receipt by the Company of a notice describing in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; provided, that Buyer shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(d) if at such time Buyer is in material breach of this Agreement which would result in a failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 8.3(a) or Section 8.3(b).
(e) The Company may terminate this Agreement by giving notice to Buyer if Buyer shall have materially breached any of its covenants, agreements, representations, and warranties contained herein to be performed at or prior to the Closing and such breach (i) would result in the failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 8.3(a) or Section 8.3(b) and (ii) is incapable of being cured by the Outside Closing Date, or if capable of being cured by the Outside Closing Date, shall not be cured within twenty (20) days following receipt by Buyer of a notice describing in reasonable detail the nature of such breach; provided, that the Company shall not have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this Section 9.1(e) if at such time the Company is in material breach of this Agreement which would result in a failure to satisfy any condition set forth in Section 8.2(a) or Section 8.2(b).
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(f) This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned at any time prior to the Closing by written notice by either Buyer or the Company if this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby fail to be authorized or approved by the Required Buyer Stockholder Approval at a duly convened Buyer Special Meeting (subject to any postponement, adjournment or recess thereof).
9.2 Effect of Termination; Survival. This Agreement may only be terminated in the circumstances described in Article IX. In the event of the valid termination of this Agreement pursuant to Article IX, this Agreement shall forthwith become void, and there shall be no Liability on the part of any party, any of their respective Affiliates or any of their and their Affiliates’ respective Representatives, and all rights and obligations of each party shall cease, except that the provisions of Article I, this Article IX, Article X and the Confidentiality Agreement shall survive any termination hereof; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9.2 shall be deemed to release any party from any Liability for Fraud prior to such termination.
Article X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Notices. Any notice hereunder shall be sent in writing, addressed as specified below, and shall be deemed given: (a) if by hand or recognized courier service, by 5:00 PM on a Business Day, addressee’s day and time, on the date of delivery, and otherwise on the first Business Day after such delivery; (b) if by fax or email, on the date that transmission is sent electronically without any “bounce back” or similar error message; or (c) five days after mailing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notices shall be addressed to the respective parties as follows (excluding telephone numbers, which are for convenience only), or to such other address as a party shall specify to the others in accordance with these notice provisions:
if to the Company Group, the Existing Equityholder Representative or any Existing Equityholder, to:
AST & Science LLC
Midland International Air and Space Port
2901 Enterprise Lane
Midland, TX 79706
Attn: | Abel Avellan | |
Tom Severson | ||
Phone: | +1 (432) 276-3966 | |
Email: | avellan@ast.com | |
severson@ast.com |
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Latham & Watkins LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1560
Attn: | Bradley A. Helms | |
Ryan Maierson | ||
Fax: | +1 (213) 891-8763 | |
Phone: | +1 (213) 891-8640 | |
+1 (713) 546-7420 | ||
Email: | bradley.helms@lw.com | |
ryan.maierson@lw.com |
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if to Buyer prior to the Closing
New Providence Acquisition Corp
10900 Research Blvd
Ste 160C PMB 1081
Austin, Texas 78759
Attn: | Alexander Coleman | |
James Bradley Gary Smith |
Phone: |
+1 (561) 231-7070
|
|
Email: | alex.coleman@npa-corp.com | |
james.bradley@npa-corp.com gary.smith@npa-corp.com |
with a copy to (which shall not constitute notice):
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
Attn: | Douglas Ryder | |
James Hu | ||
Fax.: | +1 (212) 446-6460 | |
+1 (212) 446-6460 | ||
Phone: | +1 (212) 446-4999 | |
+1 (212) 909-3341 | ||
Email: | douglas.ryder@kirkland.com | |
james.hu@kirkland.com |
10.2 Amendments; Waivers; Remedies.
(a) This Agreement cannot be amended, supplemented or modified, except by a writing signed by each of Buyer, the Company and the Existing Equityholders, and cannot be amended, supplemented or modified orally or by course of conduct. No provision hereof can be waived, except by a writing signed by the party against whom such waiver is to be enforced, and any such waiver shall apply only in the particular instance in which such waiver shall have been given.
(b) Neither any failure or delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder or in requiring satisfaction of any condition herein nor any course of dealing shall constitute a waiver of or prevent any party from enforcing any right or remedy or from requiring satisfaction of any condition. No notice to or demand on a party waives or otherwise affects any obligation of that party or impairs any right of the party giving such notice or making such demand, including any right to take any action without notice or demand not otherwise required by this Agreement. No exercise of any right or remedy with respect to a breach of this Agreement shall preclude exercise of any other right or remedy, as appropriate to make the aggrieved party whole with respect to such breach, or subsequent exercise of any right or remedy with respect to any other breach.
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(c) Any party to this Agreement may, at any time prior to the Closing, by action taken by its board of directors (or similar governing body), managing member, general partner or other officers or Persons thereunto duly authorized, (i) extend the time for the performance of the obligations or acts of the other parties hereto, (ii) waive any inaccuracies in the representations and warranties (of another party hereto) that are contained in this Agreement or (iii) waive compliance by the other parties hereto with any of the agreements or conditions contained in this Agreement, but such extension or waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed by the party granting such extension or waiver.
(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no statement herein of any right or remedy shall impair any other right or remedy stated herein or that otherwise may be available.
10.3 Arm’s Length Bargaining; No Presumption Against Drafter. This Agreement has been negotiated at arm’s-length by parties of equal bargaining strength, each represented by counsel or having had but declined the opportunity to be represented by counsel and having participated in the drafting of this Agreement. This Agreement creates no fiduciary or other special relationship between the parties, and no such relationship otherwise exists. No presumption in favor of or against any party in the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be made based upon which Person might have drafted this Agreement or such provision.
10.4 Publicity. Except as required by Law and except with respect to Buyer SEC Documents and, with respect to the Proxy Statement and Closing Form 8-K, in conformity with Section 7.6 of this Agreement, the parties agree that neither they nor their Representatives shall issue any press release or make any other public disclosure concerning the transactions contemplated hereunder without the prior written approval of the other party hereto. If a party is required to make such a disclosure as required by Law, Buyer or the Company (as applicable) will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on such public disclosure prior to its issuance (which shall be considered by the Company or Buyer, as applicable, in good faith). The foregoing shall not prohibit disclosure made in connection with the enforcement of any right or remedy relating to this Agreement, the Additional Agreements or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
10.5 Expenses. Unless otherwise specified herein, each party shall bear its own costs and expenses in connection with this Agreement, the Additional Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.
10.6 No Assignment or Delegation. No party may assign any right or delegate any obligation hereunder, including by merger, consolidation, operation of Law, or otherwise, without the written consent of the other parties. Any purported assignment or delegation that does not comply with the immediately preceding sentence shall be void, in addition to constituting a material breach of this Agreement.
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10.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and all Related Claims shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and governed by the Laws (both substantive and procedural) of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of Laws principles thereof.
10.8 Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which shall constitute one agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon delivery to each party of an executed counterpart or the earlier delivery to each party of original, photocopied, or electronically transmitted signature pages that together (but need not individually) bear the signatures of all other parties.
10.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement together with the Additional Agreements, including any exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or thereto, sets forth the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements related thereto (whether written or oral), all of which are merged herein. No provision of this Agreement or any Additional Agreement, including any exhibits and Schedules attached hereto or thereto, may be explained or qualified by any agreement, negotiations, understanding, discussion, conduct or course of conduct. Except as otherwise expressly stated herein or any Additional Agreement, there is no condition precedent to the effectiveness of any provision hereof or thereof. No party has relied on any representation from, or warranty or agreement of, any person in entering into this Agreement, prior hereto or contemporaneous herewith or any Additional Agreement, except those expressly stated herein or therein. Other than Section 2.6, Article VI, Section 7.3(c), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.13, Section 9.2 and Article X, no provision of this Agreement shall be enforced against, or shall give rise to any obligation or liability of, Sponsor. Other than Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X, no provision of this Agreement shall be enforced against, or shall give rise to any obligation or liability of, any Existing Equityholder.
10.10 Severability. A determination by a court or other legal Authority that any provision that is not of the essence of this Agreement is legally invalid shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof. The parties shall cooperate in good faith to substitute (or cause such court or other legal Authority to substitute) for any provision so held to be invalid a valid provision, as alike in substance to such invalid provision as is lawful.
10.11 Construction of Certain Terms and References; Captions. In this Agreement:
(a) References to particular Sections and subsections, schedules, and exhibits not otherwise specified are cross-references to Sections and subsections, schedules, and exhibits of this Agreement.
(b) The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder,” and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement, and, unless the context requires otherwise, “party” means a party signatory hereto.
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(c) Any use of the singular or plural, or the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender, includes the others, unless the context otherwise requires; “including” means “including without limitation;” “or” means “and/or;” “any” means “any one, more than one, or all;” and, unless otherwise specified, any financial or accounting term has the meaning of the term under United States generally accepted accounting principles as consistently applied heretofore by the Company Group.
(d) Unless otherwise specified, any reference to any agreement (including this Agreement), instrument, or other document includes all schedules, exhibits, or other attachments referred to therein, and any reference to a statute or other law includes any rule, regulation, ordinance, or the like promulgated thereunder, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time. Any reference to a numbered Schedule means the same-numbered Section of the Disclosure Schedules.
(e) If any action is required to be taken or notice is required to be given within a specified number of days following a specific date or event, the day of such date or event is not counted in determining the last day for such action or notice. If any action is required to be taken or notice is required to be given on or before a particular day which is not a Business Day, such action or notice shall be considered timely if it is taken or given on or before the next Business Day. The word “day” means calendar day unless Business Day is expressly specified.
(f) Captions are included for convenience only.
(g) All references in this Agreement to “the knowledge of the Company” or similar terms means the actual knowledge of Abel Avellan, Tom Severson and Tom Hess and all references in this Agreement to “the knowledge of Buyer” means the actual knowledge of Alexander Coleman, James Bradley and Gary P Smith.
(h) For the avoidance of doubt, all references in this Agreement to “ordinary course” or “ordinary course,” subject to the Company or Buyer’s consent, means the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, provided that, for purposes of Sections 7.1 and 7.2, it shall take into account any material event or change in circumstances that occurs following the date of this Agreement.
(i) References to the “date hereof” mean the date of this Agreement.
(j) The headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
(k) The words “writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing words (including electronic media) in a visible form.
(l) The word “extent” in the phrase “to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”.
(m) All references to any Law, contract or agreement will be to such Law or Contract as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
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(n) To the extent this Agreement refers to information or documents that have been made available, delivered, furnished or otherwise provided by the Existing Equityholders or the Company to Buyer or its Affiliates, such obligation shall be deemed to be satisfied, and such information or documentation shall be deemed to be satisfied, and such information or documentation shall be deemed to have been made available, delivered, furnished or otherwise provided to Buyer or its Affiliates, as applicable, for all purposes under the Agreement, if and to the extent such information or documentation has been posted in the electronic data room maintained by the Existing Equityholders and the Company for the purposes of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the date of this Agreement. To the extent this Agreement refers to information or documents that have been made available, delivered, furnished or otherwise provided by Buyer to the Existing Equityholders, the Company or their respective Affiliates, such obligation shall be deemed to be satisfied, and such information or documentation shall be deemed to have been made available, delivered, furnished or otherwise provided to the Existing Equityholders, the Company Group or their respective Affiliates, as applicable, for all purposes under the Agreement, if and to the extent such information or documentation has been filed or furnished by Buyer with the SEC.
(o) References to any Person include the successors and permitted assigns of that Person.
10.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as set forth in Section 7.9 and Section 10.15, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof confers any benefit or right upon or may be enforced by any Person not a signatory hereto.
10.13 Trust Account Waiver. Reference is made to the final IPO prospectus of Buyer, dated September 10, 2019 (the “Prospectus”). The Company Group and the Existing Equityholders understand that Buyer has established the Trust Account for the benefit of the public stockholders of Buyer and the underwriters of the IPO pursuant to the Investment Management Trust Agreement and that, except for a portion of the interest earned on the amounts held in the Trust Account, Buyer may disburse monies from the Trust Account only for the purposes set forth in the Investment Management Trust Agreement. For and in consideration of Buyer agreeing to enter into this Agreement, the Company Group and the Existing Equityholders each hereby agree that he, she or it does not have any right, title, interest or claim of any kind in or to any monies in the Trust Account and hereby agrees that he, she or it will not seek recourse against the Trust Account for any claim it may have in the future as a result of, or arising out of, any negotiations, contracts or agreements with Buyer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit the Company Group’s or the Existing Equityholders’ right to pursue a claim against Buyer for legal relief against monies or other assets that are held outside the Trust Account and other than distributions from the Trust Account directly or indirectly to the Buyer’s stockholders, for specific performance or other equitable relief in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement so long as such claim would not affect Buyer’s ability to fulfill its obligations to effectuate the redemptions of the Buyer Units or Buyer Common Stock or comply with the Investment Management Trust Agreement or Buyer’s Organizational Documents and (y) nothing herein shall serve to limit or prohibit any claims that the Company Group and the Existing Equityholders may have in the future against Buyer’s assets or funds that are not held in the Trust Account and other than distributions from the Trust Account directly or indirectly to Buyer’s public stockholders.
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10.14 No Recourse. Notwithstanding anything that may be expressed or implied in this Agreement, the parties acknowledge and agree that no recourse under this Agreement or under any Additional Agreements shall be had against any Person that is not a party to this Agreement or such Additional Agreement, as applicable, including any past, present or future director, officer, agent, employee or other Representative of any past, present or future equity holder of any Existing Equityholder or of any Affiliate or successor or assignee thereof (collectively, the “Non-Recourse Parties”), as such, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any statute, regulation or other applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise be incurred by any Non-Recourse Party in connection with or arising out of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement or the Additional Agreements to the contrary, the obligations of the Existing Equityholders hereunder and thereunder are several.
10.15 General Release.
(a) Each Existing Equityholder, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates (individually, a “Company Releasor” and collectively, “Company Releasors”) hereby releases and forever discharges the Company Group, and any past present and future Affiliates or Representatives of the Company Group (individually, a “Company Releasee” or collectively, “Company Releasees”) from any and all Actions, Orders, Contracts and Liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which each Company Releasor or any of their respective Affiliates, Representatives or any of its or their respective heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, now has, has ever had, or may hereafter have against any Company Releasee arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date solely from the Company Releasor’s capacity as a holder of the Existing Company Units and not in such Existing Equityholder’s capacity as an employee, director, manager, contractual counterparty (other than as a holder of the Existing Company Units) or any other capacity other than as a holder of Existing Company Incentive Units (all of the foregoing collectively, the “Company Released Claims”); provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall operate to release any obligations of the Company Group under this Agreement or the Additional Agreements between the Company and any Existing Equityholder. Each Company Releasor hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any Company Released Claim, or commencing, instituting, or causing to be commenced, any Action of any kind against any Company Releasee based upon any matter released hereby.
(b) Sponsor, on behalf of itself and each of its Affiliates (individually, a “Sponsor Releasor” and collectively, “Sponsor Releasors”) hereby releases and forever discharges Buyer and, following the Closing, PubCo and the Company Group, and any past present and future Affiliates or Representatives of the Buyer and, following the Closing, PubCo and Company Group (individually, a “Sponsor Releasee” or collectively, “Sponsor Releasees”) from any and all Actions, Orders, Contracts and Liabilities whatsoever, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, both at law and in equity, which each Sponsor Releasor or any of their respective Affiliates, Representatives or any of its or their respective heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, now has, or will have ever had as of the Closing, against any Sponsor Releasee arising contemporaneously with or prior to the Closing Date from the Sponsor Releasor’s capacity as a holder of Buyer Common Stock (all of the foregoing collectively, the “Sponsor Released Claims”); provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall operate to release any obligations of Buyer, PubCo or the Company under this Agreement or the Additional Agreements between Sponsor and Buyer. Each Sponsor Releasor hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly, asserting any Sponsor Released Claim, or commencing, instituting, or causing to be commenced, any Action of any kind against any Sponsor Releasee based upon any matter released hereby.
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(c) Company Releasees and Sponsor Releasees are intended to be third party beneficiaries of this Section 10.15.
10.16 Submission to Jurisdiction.
(a) The parties shall submit any dispute, claim, controversy or Action (in each case, whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement (including with respect to the meaning, effect, validity, termination, interpretation, performance, or enforcement of this Agreement), the negotiation, execution performance or any alleged breach thereof (“Related Claim”) to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, to the extent the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware declines to accept jurisdiction over a particular matter, any federal court within the State of Delaware (and any courts having jurisdiction over appeals therefrom), or, if no federal court in the State of Delaware accepts jurisdiction, any state court within the State of Delaware (and any courts having jurisdiction over appeals therefrom) (collectively, the “Specified Courts”)), and the parties hereby irrevocably agree that all Related Claims shall be heard and determined in such courts. The parties hereby (i) submit to the exclusive personal and subject matter jurisdiction of any Specified Court any Related Claims and (ii) irrevocably and unconditionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such Related Claim brought in any Specified Court or any defense of inconvenient forum for the maintenance of such dispute. The parties agree that a final judgment in any such dispute shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by Law.
(b) The parties hereby consent to process being served by any other party in any Related Claim by the delivery of a copy thereof in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.1 (other than by email) along with a notification that service of process is being served in conformance with this Section 10.16(b). Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to serve process in any other manner permitted by Law.
(c) This submission to jurisdiction Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
10.17 Nonsurvival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants. None of the representations, warranties, covenants, obligations or other agreements in this Agreement or in any certificate, statement or instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement, including any rights arising out of any breach of such representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, agreements and other provisions, shall survive the Closing and shall terminate and expire upon the occurrence of the Closing (and there shall be no liability after the Closing in respect thereof), except for (a) those covenants and agreements contained herein that by their terms expressly apply in whole or in part at or after the Closing and then only with respect to any breaches occurring at or after the Closing and (b) this Article X.
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10.18 Enforcement. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage could occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Agreement and to specific enforcement of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, in addition to any other remedy to which any party is entitled at law or in equity. In the event that any Action shall be brought in equity to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, no party shall allege, and each party hereby waives the defense, that there is an adequate remedy at law, and each party agrees to waiver any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection therewith.
10.19 Schedules and Exhibits. The Schedules and Exhibits referenced herein are a part of this Agreement as if fully set forth herein. All references herein to Schedules and Exhibits shall be deemed references to such parts of this Agreement, unless the context shall otherwise require. Any disclosure made by a party in the Schedules with reference to any section or schedule of this Agreement shall be deemed to be a disclosure with respect to all other sections or schedules to which such disclosure may apply solely to the extent the relevance of such disclosure is reasonably apparent on the face of the disclosure in such Schedule. Certain information set forth in the Schedules is included solely for informational purposes.
10.20 Waiver of Jury Trial; Exemplary Damages.
(a) THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EACH SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, IN ANY COURT IN WHICH AN ACTION MAY BE COMMENCED, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT, OR BY REASON OF ANY OTHER CAUSE OR DISPUTE WHATSOEVER BETWEEN OR AMONG ANY OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, IN EACH CASE, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE. EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF ANY ACTION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 10.20(a). NO PARTY SHALL BE AWARDED PUNITIVE OR OTHER EXEMPLARY DAMAGES RESPECTING ANY DISPUTE ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ADDITIONAL AGREEMENT.
(b) Each of the parties to this Agreement acknowledge that each has been represented in connection with the signing of this waiver by independent legal counsel selected by the respective party and that such party has discussed the legal consequences and import of this waiver with legal counsel. Each of the parties to this Agreement further acknowledge that each has read and understands the meaning of this waiver and grants this waiver knowingly, voluntarily, without duress and only after consideration of the consequences of this waiver with legal counsel.
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10.21 Waiver of Conflicts.
(a) Each party hereby agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of its directors, managers, officers, owners, employees and Affiliates (including the Sponsor) and each of their successors and assigns (all such parties, the “Waiving Parties”), that following the Closing, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (or any of its affiliated partnerships) (“K&E”) may represent any Person in connection with any transaction or Action involving or relating to Buyer, the Company or their respective Subsidiaries (any such representation, the “Buyer Post-Closing Representation”) notwithstanding its representation of Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of Buyer and the Company on behalf of itself and the Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest or any objection arising therefrom or relating thereto, even though the interests of the Buyer Post-Closing Representation may be directly adverse to any Waiving Party.
(b) Each party hereby agrees, on its own behalf and on behalf of its Waiving Parties, that following the Closing, Latham & Watkins LLP (“L&W”) may represent any Person in connection with any transaction or Action involving or relating to the Company Group or the Existing Equityholders (any such representation, the “Existing Equityholder Post-Closing Representation”) notwithstanding its representation of the Company Group and the Existing Equityholders in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each of the Company and the Existing Equityholders, on behalf of itself and the Waiving Parties hereby consents thereto and irrevocably waives (and will not assert) any conflict of interest or any objection arising therefrom or relating thereto, even though the interests of the Existing Equityholder Post-Closing Representation may be directly adverse to any Waiving Party.
10.22 Existing Equityholder Representative.
(a) Each Existing Equityholder irrevocably constitutes and appoints Abel Avellan as the “Existing Equityholder Representative”, such Existing Equityholder’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, and authorizes him acting for such Existing Equityholder and in such Existing Equityholder’s name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to do and perform every act and thing required, permitted, necessary or desirable to be done in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Additional Agreements, as fully to all intents and purposes as such Existing Equityholder might or could do in person, including to:
(i) take any and all actions (including, without limitation, executing and delivering any documents or amendments, incurring any costs and expenses on behalf of the Existing Equityholders) and make any and all determinations which may be required or permitted in connection with the implementation of this Agreement and the Additional Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby;
(ii) give and receive notices and communications under this Agreement and the Additional Agreements;
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(iii) negotiate, defend, settle, compromise and otherwise handle and resolve any and all claims and disputes with Buyer or its Affiliates arising out of or in respect of this Agreement or the Additional Agreements;
(iv) review, comment on and approve Buyer Prepared Returns and the review and approval of Buyer Prepared Returns pursuant to Section 7.11(a);
(v) retain legal counsel, accountants, consultants and other experts, and incur any other reasonable expenses, in connection with all matters and things set forth or necessary with respect to this Agreement or the Additional Agreements and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; and
(vi) to make any other decision or election or exercise such rights, power and authority as are incidental to the foregoing or that is, in the opinion of the Existing Equityholder Representative, necessary or advisable to effectuate the foregoing.
(b) Each of the Existing Equityholders acknowledges and agrees that upon execution of this Agreement, upon any delivery by the Existing Equityholder Representative of any waiver, amendment, agreement, opinion, certificate or other document executed by the Existing Equityholder Representative, such Existing Equityholder shall be bound by such documents as fully as if such Existing Equityholder had executed and delivered such documents.
(c) Upon the death, disability or incapacity of the initial Existing Equityholder Representative appointed pursuant to Section 10.22(a), each of the Existing Equityholders acknowledges and agrees then such Person as is appointed by the Existing Equityholders who held a majority of the outstanding Existing Company Units immediately prior to the Closing shall be the Existing Equityholder Representative. The Existing Equityholder Representative may resign at any time; provided that it must provide the Existing Equityholders who held a majority of the Existing Company Units immediately prior to Closing thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of such decision to resign. The Existing Equityholder Representative shall not receive compensation for service in such capacity. The designation of any Person as the Existing Equityholder Representative is and shall be coupled with an interest, and, except as set forth in this Section 10.22, such designation is irrevocable and shall not be affected by the death, incapacity, illness, bankruptcy, dissolution or other inability to act of any of the Existing Equityholders.
(d) Any and all actions taken or not taken, exercises of rights, power or authority and any decision or determination made by the Existing Equityholder Representative in connection herewith shall be absolutely and irrevocably binding upon the Existing Equityholders as if such Person had taken or not taken such action, exercised such rights, power or authority or made such decision or determination in its own capacity, and Buyer may rely upon such action, exercise of right, power, or authority or such decision or determination of the Existing Equityholder Representative as the action, inaction, exercise, right, power, or authority, or decision or determination of such Person, and no Existing Equityholder shall have the right to object, dissent, protest or otherwise contest the same. Buyer is hereby relieved from any liability to any Person for any acts done by the Existing Equityholder Representative and any acts done by the Buyer in accordance with any decision, act, consent or instruction of the Existing Equityholder Representative.
(e) On the date hereof, each Existing Equityholder has provided to the Existing Equityholder Representative a duly executed copy of each signature page required for such Existing Equityholder in connection with the Additional Agreements. Each such signature page shall be released by the Existing Equityholder Representative at the Closing without further authorization or action necessary on behalf of each Existing Equityholder.
[The remainder of this page intentionally left blank; signature pages to follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Buyer: | ||
NEW PROVIDENCE ACQUISITION CORP | ||
By: | /s/ Gary Smith | |
Name: | Gary Smith | |
Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Sponsor, solely for the purposes of Section 2.6, Article VI, Section 7.3(c), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.13, Section 9.2, and Article X: | ||
NEW PROVIDENCE MANAGEMENT LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Alex Coleman | |
Name: | Alex Coleman | |
Title: | Co-Chief Executive Officer |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Company: | ||
AST & SCIENCE LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Tom Severson | |
Name: | Tom Severson | |
Title: | Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
By: | /s/ Abel Avellan | |
Name: | Abel Avellan |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
By: | /s/ Tom Severson | |
Name: | Tom Severson |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
INVESAT LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Adriana Cisneros | |
Name: | Adriana Cisneros | |
Title: | President |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
VODAFONE VENTURES LIMITED | ||
By: | /s/ Edward Verner | |
Name: | Edward Verner | |
Title: | Authorized Signatory |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
|
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | |
ATC TRS II LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Edmund DiSanto | |
Name: | Edmund DiSanto | |
Title: |
EVP, Chief Administration
Officer and General Counsel |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
RAKUTEN MOBILE SINGAPORE PTE LTD | ||
By: | /s/ Rahul Atri | |
Name: | Rahul Atri | |
Title: | Managing Director |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholders, solely for purposes of Section 2.1, Section 2.5, Section 2.6, Section 2.7, Article III, Section 7.3(b), Section 7.10(a), Section 7.11, Section 9.2 and Article X: | ||
SAMSUNG NEXT FUND LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Brendon Kim | |
Name: | Brendon Kim | |
Title: |
Authorized Officer of
Samsung Next Fund LLC |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
Existing Equityholder Representative: | ||
By: | /s/ Abel Avellan | |
Name: | Abel Avellan |
[Signature Page – Equity Purchase Agreement]
ANNEX A
EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS
Abel Avellan
Tom Severson
Invesat LLC
Vodafone Ventures Limited
ATC TRS II LLC
Rakuten Mobile Singapore PTE LTD
Samsung Next Fund LLC
SCHEDULE I
COMMON UNITS PRO FORMA OWNERSHIP
EXISTING EQUITYHOLDERS
AST Equityholder | Common Units Received upon Conversion | |||
Abel Avellan | 78,163,078 | |||
ATC TRS II LLC | 2,170,657 | |||
Oscar Garcia | 12,181 | |||
Invesat LLC | 9,932,541 | |||
Rakuten Mobile Singapore PTE LTD | 28,520,155 | |||
Samsung Next Fund LLC | 361,769 | |||
Thomas Severson | 1,595,165 | |||
Vodafone Ventures Limited LLC | 9,044,454 | |||
Total: | 129,800,000 |
SCHEDULE II
VOTING UNITS PRO FORMA OWNERSHIP
Existing Equityholder | Shares of PubCo Class B Common Stock | Shares of PubCo Class C Common Stock | Total Shares | |||||||||
Abel Avellan | - | 78,163,078 | 78,163,078 | |||||||||
ATC TRS II LLC | 2,170,657 | - | 2,170,657 | |||||||||
Oscar Garcia | 12,181 | - | 12,181 | |||||||||
Invesat LLC | 9,932,541 | - | 9,932,541 | |||||||||
Rakuten Mobile Singapore PTE LTD | 28,520,155 | - | 28,520,155 | |||||||||
Samsung Next Fund LLC | 361,769 | - | 361,769 | |||||||||
Thomas Severson | 1,595,165 | - | 1,595,165 | |||||||||
Vodafone Ventures Limited LLC | 9,044,454 | - | 9,044,454 | |||||||||
Totals: | 51,636,922 | 78,163,078 | 129,800,000 |
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF A&R OPERATING AGREEMENT
(see attached)
Exhibit A to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT B
A&R CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
(see attached)
Exhibit B to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT C
BUYER A&R BYLAWS
(see attached)
Exhibit C to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF TAX RECEIVABLE AGREEMENT
(see attached)
Exhibit D to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT
(see attached)
Exhibit E to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF VOTING AGREEMENT
(see attached)
Exhibit F to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
(see attached)
Exhibit G to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT H
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENTS
(see attached)
Exhibit H to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT I
AST SPACEMOBILE INC. 2020 INCENTIVE AWARD PLAN
(see attached)
Exhibit I to Equity Purchase Agreement
EXHIBIT J
AST SPACEMOBILE INC. 2020 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(see attached)
Exhibit J to Equity Purchase Agreement
Exhibit 10.1
SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT
This SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT is entered into this 15th day of December, 2020 (this “Subscription Agreement”), by and between New Providence Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned (“Subscriber”).
WHEREAS, the Company is proposing to enter into an Equity Purchase Agreement, (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Transaction Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, (a) the Company will purchase common units in AST & Science, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with its subsidiaries, “AST&S”), (b) the Company will become the managing member of AST&S, (c) the Company will issue to the members of AST&S shares of Class B common stock or Class C common stock of the Company and (d) subject to the terms and conditions contained in the Fifth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of AST&S, the members of AST&S will have the right to require AST&S to redeem each of their outstanding common units for one Common Share (as defined below) or an amount of cash as specified therein (collectively, the “Transaction”);
WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, Subscriber desires to subscribe for and purchase from the Company shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Shares”) in the amount set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Acquired Securities”) for the aggregate purchase price set forth on the signature page hereto (the “Purchase Price”), representing a price per share of $10.00 (the “Purchase Price Per Share”) and the Company desires to issue and sell to Subscriber the Acquired Securities in consideration of the payment of the Purchase Price by or on behalf of Subscriber to the Company on or prior to the Closing (as defined below); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Transaction, certain other “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) and certain other institutional “accredited investors” (as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act) have entered into separate subscription agreements with the Company (the “Other Subscription Agreements”), pursuant to which such other investors have, together with the undersigned, pursuant to this Subscription Agreement and the Other Subscription Agreements, agreed to purchase an aggregate of 23,000,000 Common Shares at the Purchase Price (such other investors, the “Other Subscribers”).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual representations, warranties and covenants, and subject to the conditions, herein contained, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1. Subscription. Pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, Subscriber hereby irrevocably subscribes for and agrees to purchase, and the Company hereby agrees to issue and sell to Subscriber, upon the payment of the Purchase Price, the Acquired Securities (such subscription and issuance, the “Subscription”).
2. Closing.
a. The closing of the Subscription contemplated hereby (the “Closing”) is contingent upon the substantially concurrent consummation of the Transaction. The Closing shall occur on the date of the closing of the Transaction (the “Transaction Closing Date”). Not less than five (5) business days prior to the scheduled closing date of the Transaction (the “Scheduled Closing Date”), the Company shall provide written notice to Subscriber (the “Closing Notice”) specifying (i) that the Company reasonably expects all conditions to the Closing to be satisfied on a date that is not less than five (5) business days from the date of the Closing Notice and (ii) instructions for wiring the Purchase Price for the Acquired Securities. The Subscriber shall deliver to the Company at least two (2) business days prior to the Scheduled Closing Date the Purchase Price by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company in the Closing Notice. At Closing, the Company shall issue and deliver the Acquired Securities to Subscriber in book entry form, free and clear of any liens or other restrictions whatsoever (other than those arising under state or federal securities laws), in the name of the undersigned (or its nominee in accordance with its delivery instructions), by updating the register of members of the Company. The failure of the Closing to occur on the Scheduled Closing Date shall not terminate this Subscription Agreement or otherwise relieve either party of any of its obligations hereunder. If the closing of the Transaction does not occur within three (3) business days after the Scheduled Closing Date specified in the Closing Notice, the Company shall promptly (but not later than one (1) business day thereafter) return the Purchase Price to the Subscriber by wire transfer of U.S. dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the undersigned. For purposes of this Subscription Agreement, “business day” shall mean any day other than Saturday, Sunday or such other days on which banks located in New York, New York are required or authorized by applicable law to be closed for business.
b. The obligations of each of the parties hereto to consummate the Closing shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) no suspension of the qualification of the Common Shares or the shares of the Company’s common stock for offering or sale or trading in the United States shall have occurred prior to the Closing;
(ii) as of the Closing, no governmental authority shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any judgment, order, law, rule or regulation which is then in effect and has the effect of making consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby illegal or otherwise prohibiting or enjoining consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(iii) the Transaction shall have been or will be consummated concurrently with the Closing.
c. The obligation of the Company to consummate the purchase and sale of the Closing shall be subject to the condition that all representations and warranties of the Subscriber contained in this Subscription Agreement are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the Closing, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Subscriber of each of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing.
d. The obligation of the Subscriber to consummate the purchase and sale of the Closing pursuant to this Subscription Agreement shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) that all representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Subscription Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (other than representations and warranties that are qualified as to materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as defined herein), which representations and warranties shall be true in all respects) at and as of the Closing, and consummation of the Closing shall constitute a reaffirmation by the Company of each of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Investor contained in this Subscription Agreement as of the Closing;
(ii) the Company shall have performed or complied in all material respects with all agreements and covenants required by this Subscription Agreement required to be performed or complied with by the Company prior to Closing; and
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(iii) the terms of the Transaction Agreement shall not have been amended or modified in a manner that would materially and adversely affect the undersigned without the undersigned’s prior written consent.
e. At the Closing, the parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take such additional actions as the parties reasonably may deem to be practical and necessary in order to consummate the Subscription as contemplated by this Subscription Agreement.
f. At or prior to the Closing, Subscriber shall provide the Company with a properly completed and duly executed IRS Form W-9 or applicable IRS Form W-8, as appropriate.
3. Company Representations and Warranties. For purposes of this Section 3, the term “Company” shall refer to the Company as of the date hereof and, for purposes of only the representations contained in paragraphs (f) and (k) of this Section 3 and to the extent such representations and warranties are made as of the Transaction Closing Date, the combined company after giving effect to the Transaction. The Company represents and warrants to Subscriber that:
a. The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a Delaware corporation and is in good standing under the laws of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted and to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.
b. As of the date of this Agreement, the Company is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 Common Shares, 10,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B Common Shares”), and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.0001 per share (“Preferred Shares”). As of the date of this Subscription Agreement: (i) 23,000,000 Common Shares are issued and outstanding, (ii) warrants representing 6,100,000 Common Shares (“Company Warrants”) are issued and outstanding, (iii) Class B Common Shares representing 5,750,000 Common Shares on an as-converted basis are issued and outstanding and (iv) no Preferred Shares are issued and outstanding. Except for the Company Warrants, the Common Shares, the Class B Common Shares referenced above and the obligations of the Company under the Transaction Agreement and this Subscription Agreement and subscription agreements with the Other Subscribers in connection with the Transaction, there are no outstanding, and between the date hereof and the Closing, the Company will not issue or sell any (a) shares, equity interests or voting securities of the Company, (b) securities of the Company convertible into or exchangeable for shares or other equity interests or voting securities of the Company, (c) options, warrants or other rights (including preemptive rights) or agreements, arrangement or commitments of any character, whether or not contingent, of the Company to acquire from any Person, and no obligation of the Company to issue, any shares or other equity interests or voting securities of the Company or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for such shares or other equity interest or voting securities, (d) equity equivalents or other similar rights of or with respect to the Company, or (e) obligations of the Company to repurchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing securities, shares, options, equity equivalents, interests or rights. As of the date hereof, the Sponsor (as defined in the Transaction Agreement) and its affiliates hold Class B Common Shares in an amount representing 5,750,000 Common Shares on an as-converted basis and 6,100,000 Company Warrants.
c. The Acquired Securities will be, prior to the issuance and delivery to Subscriber against full payment thereof in accordance with the terms of this Subscription Agreement and the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation, duly authorized, and when issued and delivered to the Subscriber, the Acquired Securities will be validly issued and will be fully paid and non-assessable and will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights created under the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation or under the laws of the state of Delaware.
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d. This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.
e. The execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement (including the issuance and sale of the Acquired Securities contemplated hereby and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement applicable to it and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Material Adverse Effect”) or materially affect the validity of the Acquired Securities or the legal authority of the Company to comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or materially affect the validity of the Acquired Securities or the legal authority of the Company to comply in all material respects with this Subscription Agreement.
f. The Company is not required to obtain any consent, waiver, authorization or order of, give any notice to, or make any filing or registration with, any court or other federal, state, local or other governmental authority or self-regulatory organization in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Subscription Agreement (including, without limitation, the issuance of the Acquired Securities), other than (i) filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), (ii) filings required by applicable state securities laws, (iii) any filings required under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 or similar antitrust laws, (iv) filings required by Nasdaq, including with respect to obtaining Company stockholder approval, (v) consents, waivers, authorizations or filings that have been obtained or made on or prior to the Closing, (vi) filings with the Commission, filings or registrations required by applicable state securities laws or Nasdaq and any consents, authorizations or other filings, in each case, required or advisable to be filed in connection with the Transaction, (vii) applicable FCC filings and (viii) where the failure of which to obtain such consents, waivers, authorizations or orders, give such notices, or to make such filings or registrations would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect..
g. The Company is in compliance with all applicable laws, except where such non-compliance would not be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.
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h. The issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and are listed for trading on Nasdaq under the symbol “NPA” (it being understood that the trading symbol will be changed in connection with the Transaction Closing). Except as disclosed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and except for such matters as have not had and would not be reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, there is no suit, action, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company by Nasdaq or the SEC, respectively, to prohibit or terminate the listing of the Common Shares on Nasdaq or to deregister the Common Shares under the Exchange Act. The Company has taken no action that is designed to terminate the registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act.
i. A copy of each form, report, statement, schedule, prospectus, proxy, registration statement and other document, if any, filed by the Company with the SEC since its initial registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act and prior to the date hereof (the “SEC Documents”) is available to the undersigned via the SEC’s EDGAR system. None of the SEC Documents contained, when filed or, if amended, as of the date of such amendment with respect to those disclosures that are amended, 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 the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Company has timely filed each report, statement, schedule, prospectus, and registration statement that the Company was required to file with the SEC since its initial registration of the Common Shares under the Exchange Act. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC Documents comply in all material respects with applicable accounting requirements and the rules and regulations of the SEC with respect thereto as in effect at the time of filing and fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Company as of and for the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal, year-end audit adjustments. There are no material outstanding or unresolved comments in comment letters from the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance (the “Staff”) of the SEC with respect to any of the SEC Documents.
j. Except for such matters as have not had and would not be reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, as of the date hereof, there is no action, lawsuit, claim or other proceeding, in each case by or before any governmental authority pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing against the Company. Except for such matters as have not had and would not be reasonably likely to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect there is no unsatisfied judgment, consent decree, injunction, or continuing order of any governmental authority or arbitrator outstanding against the Company.
k. Neither the Company nor any person acting on its behalf has engaged or will engage in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D of the Securities Act) in connection with any offer or sale of the Acquired Securities.
l. The Company is not under any obligation to pay any broker’s fee or commission for the sale of the Acquired Securities hereunder other than to the Placement Agents (as defined below).
m. The Other Subscription Agreements reflect the same Purchase Price Per Share and other material economic terms with respect to the purchase of the Acquired Securities that are no more favorable, in the aggregate, to such Other Subscriber thereunder in any material respect than the terms of this Subscription Agreement. Following the date of this Subscription Agreement, there shall have been no amendment to any of the Other Subscription Agreements that materially benefits any subscriber party thereto unless the undersigned has been offered substantially the same benefits.
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4. Subscriber Representations and Warranties. Subscriber represents and warrants to the Company and Barclays Bank PLC and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. (together, the “Placement Agents” and each, a “Placement Agent”), as of the date of this Subscription Agreement and as of the Closing, that:
a. Subscriber has been duly formed or incorporated and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, with power and authority to enter into, deliver and perform its obligations under this Subscription Agreement.
b. This Subscription Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Subscriber. This Subscription Agreement is enforceable against Subscriber in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited or otherwise affected by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and (ii) principles of equity, whether considered at law or equity.
c. The execution, delivery and performance by Subscriber of this Subscription Agreement (including the compliance by the Subscriber with all of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement applicable to it and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby) will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any of the property or assets of Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease, license or other agreement or instrument to which Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries is subject, which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, financial condition, shareholders’ equity or results of operations of Subscriber and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (a “Subscriber Material Adverse Effect”) or materially affect the legal authority of Subscriber to comply in all material respects with the terms of this Subscription Agreement; (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries; or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over Subscriber or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that would reasonably be expected to have a Subscriber Material Adverse Effect or materially affect the legal authority of Subscriber to comply in all material respects with this Subscription Agreement.
d. Subscriber (i) is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act) or an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) satisfying the applicable requirements set forth on Schedule A, (ii) is acquiring the Acquired Securities only for its own account and not for the account of others, or if Subscriber is subscribing for the Acquired Securities as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, each owner of such account is a qualified institutional buyer, and Subscriber has full investment discretion with respect to each such account, and the full power and authority to make the acknowledgements, representations and agreements herein on behalf of each owner of each such account, and (iii) is not acquiring the Acquired Securities with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act and shall provide the requested information on Schedule A following the signature page hereto. Subscriber is not an entity formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the Acquired Securities.
e. Subscriber (i) is an institutional account as defined in FINRA Rule 4512(c), (ii) is a sophisticated investor, experienced in investing in private equity transactions and capable of evaluating investment risks independently, both in general and with regard to all transactions and investment strategies involving a security or securities and (iii) has exercised independent judgment in evaluating its participation in the purchase of the Acquired Shares.
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f. Subscriber understands that the Acquired Securities are being offered in a transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the Securities Act and that the Acquired Securities have not been registered under the Securities Act. Subscriber understands that the Acquired Securities may not be resold, transferred, pledged (except in ordinary course prime brokerage relationships) or otherwise disposed of by Subscriber absent an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, except (i) to the Company or a subsidiary thereof, (ii) to non-U.S. persons pursuant to offers and sales that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act or (iii) pursuant to another applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, and that any book-entry position or certificates representing the Acquired Securities shall contain a legend to such effect. Subscriber understands and agrees that the Acquired Securities will be subject to transfer restrictions and, as a result of these transfer restrictions, Subscriber may not be able to readily resell the Acquired Securities and may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in the Acquired Securities for an indefinite period of time. Subscriber understands that it has been advised to consult legal counsel prior to making any offer, resale, pledge or transfer of any of the Acquired Securities.
g. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that each of the Placement Agents is acting solely as Placement Agent in connection with the Transaction and is not acting as an underwriter or in any other capacity and is not and shall not be construed as a fiduciary for the Subscriber, the Company or any other person or entity in connection with the Transaction, (b) the Placement Agents have not made and will not make any representation or warranty, whether express or implied, of any kind or character and have not provided any advice or recommendation in connection with the Transaction, (c) the Placement Agents will have no responsibility with respect to (i) any representations, warranties or agreements made by any person or entity under or in connection with the Transaction or any of the documents furnished pursuant thereto or in connection therewith, or the execution, legality, validity or enforceability (with respect to any person) of any thereof, or (ii) the business, affairs, financial condition, operations, properties or prospects of, or any other matter concerning the Company or the Transaction, and (d) the Placement Agents and their advisors shall have no liability or obligation (including without limitation, for or with respect to any losses, claims, damages, obligations, penalties, judgments, awards, liabilities, costs, expenses or disbursements incurred by Subscriber, the Company or any other person or entity), whether in contract, tort or otherwise, to Subscriber, or to any person claiming through the undersigned, in respect of the Transaction.
h. Subscriber understands and agrees that Subscriber is purchasing the Acquired Securities directly from the Company. Subscriber further acknowledges that there have been no representations, warranties, covenants or agreements made to Subscriber by the Company or its affiliates or any of their respective officers or directors, or the Company’s agents (including the Placement Agents) expressly or by implication, other than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements included in this Subscription Agreement.
i. Either (i) the Subscriber is not a Benefit Plan Investor as contemplated by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or (ii) Subscriber’s acquisition and holding of the Acquired Securities will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any applicable similar law.
j. In making its decision to purchase the Acquired Securities, Subscriber represents that it has relied solely upon independent investigation made by Subscriber. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that Subscriber has received such information as Subscriber deems necessary in order to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Securities, including with respect to the Company, AST&S and the Transaction. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Subscriber acknowledges that it has reviewed the Company’s filings with the SEC, and Subscriber has not relied on any statements or other information provided by the Placement Agents concerning the Company or the Acquired Shares or the offer and sale of the Acquired Shares. Subscriber represents and agrees that Subscriber and Subscriber’s professional advisor(s), if any, have had the full opportunity to ask such questions, receive such answers and obtain such information as Subscriber and such Subscriber’s professional advisor(s), if any, have deemed necessary to make an investment decision with respect to the Acquired Securities.
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k. Subscriber became aware of this offering of the Acquired Securities solely by means of direct contact between Subscriber, on the one hand, and the Company, the Placement Agents, AST&S and/or their respective advisors (including without limitation, attorneys, accountants, bankers, consultants, financial advisors), agents, control persons, representatives, affiliates, directors, officers, managers, members, and/or employees, and/or the representatives of such persons (such parties, collectively “Representatives”), on the other hand. The Acquired Securities were offered to Subscriber solely by direct contact between Subscriber and the Company, the Placement Agents, AST&S and/or their respective Representatives. Subscriber acknowledges that it is not relying upon, and has not relied upon, any statement, representation or warranty made by any person or entity (including, without limitation, the Company, the Placement Agents or their respective Representatives), other than the representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement, in making its investment or decision to invest in the Company. Subscriber did not become aware of this offering of the Acquired Securities, nor were the Acquired Securities offered to Subscriber, by any other means, and none of the Company, the Placement Agents, AST&S or their respective Representatives acted as investment adviser, broker or dealer to Subscriber. Subscriber acknowledges that the Company represents and warrants that the Acquired Securities (i) were not offered by any form of general solicitation or general advertising and (ii) are not being offered in a manner involving a public offering under, or in a distribution in violation of, the Securities Act, or any state securities laws.
l. Subscriber acknowledges that it is aware that there are substantial risks incident to the purchase and ownership of the Acquired Securities. Subscriber is able to fend for itself in the transactions completed herein. Subscriber has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Acquired Securities and has the ability to bear the economic risks of such investment in the Acquired Shares and can afford a complete loss of such investments. Subscriber has sought such accounting, legal and tax advice as Subscriber has considered necessary to make an informed investment decision.
m. Alone, or together with any professional advisor(s), Subscriber represents and acknowledges that Subscriber has adequately analyzed and fully considered the risks of an investment in the Acquired Securities and determined that the Acquired Securities are a suitable investment for Subscriber and that Subscriber is able at this time and in the foreseeable future to bear the economic risk of a total loss of Subscriber’s investment in the Company. Subscriber acknowledges specifically that a possibility of total loss exists.
n. Subscriber understands and agrees that no federal or state agency has passed upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the Acquired Securities or made any findings or determination as to the fairness of this investment.
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o. Subscriber represents and warrants that Subscriber is not (i) a person or entity named on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), or in any Executive Order issued by the President of the United States and administered by OFAC, or a person or entity prohibited by any OFAC sanctions program or a person or entity whose property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction are otherwise blocked under any U.S. laws, Executive orders or regulations, (ii) a person or entity listed on the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (“SSI”) List maintained by OFAC or otherwise determined by OFAC to be subject to one or more of the Directives issued under Executive Order 13662 of March 20, 2014, or on any other of the OFAC Consolidated Sanctions Lists, (iii) an entity owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more persons described in subsections (i) or (ii), (iv) a person or entity named on the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security Denied Persons List, Entity List, or Unverified List (“BIS Lists”) (collectively with (i) through (iv), a “Restricted Person”), or (v) a non-U.S. shell bank or providing banking services indirectly to a non-U.S. shell bank. Subscriber agrees to provide law enforcement agencies, if requested thereby, such records as required by applicable law, provided that Subscriber is permitted to do so under applicable law. Subscriber represents that if it is a financial institution subject to the Bank Secrecy Act (31 U.S.C. Section 5311 et seq.) (the “BSA”), as amended by the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 (the “PATRIOT Act”), and its implementing regulations (collectively, the “BSA/PATRIOT Act”), that Subscriber maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with applicable obligations under the BSA/PATRIOT Act. Subscriber also represents that, it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed for the screening of its investors against the OFAC and BIS sanctions programs, including for Restricted Persons, and otherwise to ensure compliance with all applicable sanctions and embargo laws, statutes, and regulations. Subscriber further represents and warrants that it maintains policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the funds held by Subscriber and used to purchase the Acquired Securities were legally derived.
p. Subscriber has or has enforceable commitments to have, and at least one (1) business day prior to the Scheduled Closing Date will have, sufficient funds to pay the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2(a) of this Subscription Agreement and consummate the Closing when required pursuant to this Subscription Agreement.
q. No disclosure or offering document has been prepared by the Placement Agents in connection with the offer and sale of the Acquired Securities. The Placement Agents and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives and controlling persons have made no independent investigation with respect to the Company or the Acquired Securities or the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of any information supplied to the Investor by the Company. In connection with the issue and purchase of the Shares, the Placement Agents have not acted as the Investor’s financial advisors or fiduciaries.
5. Registration Rights.
a. The Company agrees that, within thirty (30) calendar days after the consummation of the Transaction (the “Filing Deadline”), the Company will file with the SEC (at the Company’s sole cost and expense) a registration statement to register under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act, the resale of all Registrable Securities (as defined below) on Form S-3 or Form S-1, which shall be the sole decision of the Company (which shall be filed pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act as a secondary-only registration statement), if the Company is then eligible for such short form, or any similar or successor short form registration or, if the Company is not then eligible for such short form registration or would not be able to register for resale all of the Registrable Securities on Form S-3, on Form S-1 or any similar or successor long form registration (the “Registration Statement”). The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than sixty (60) calendar days following the Filing Deadline (the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, that the Effectiveness Deadline shall be extended to ninety (90) calendar days after the Filing Deadline if the Registration Statement is reviewed by, and receives comments from, the SEC; provided, however, that the Company’s obligations to include the Registrable Securities of a Holder in the Registration Statement are contingent upon such Holder furnishing in writing to the Company such information regarding such Holder, the securities of the Company held by Holder and the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities as shall be reasonably requested by the Company to effect the registration of the Registrable Securities, and shall execute such documents in connection with such registration as the Company may reasonably request that are customary of a selling shareholder in similar situations.
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b. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subscription Agreement, the Company shall be entitled to delay or postpone the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, and from time to time to require the Subscriber not to sell under the Registration Statement or to suspend the effectiveness thereof, if the negotiation or consummation of a transaction by the Company or its subsidiaries is pending or an event has occurred, which negotiation, consummation or event, the Company’s board of directors reasonably believes, upon the advice of legal counsel, would require additional disclosure by the Company in the Registration Statement of material information that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for keeping confidential and the non-disclosure of which in the Registration Statement would be expected, in the reasonable determination of the Company’s board of directors, upon the advice of legal counsel, to cause the Registration Statement to fail to comply with applicable disclosure requirements (each such circumstance, a “Suspension Event”); provided, however, that (i) the Company may not delay or suspend the Registration Statement on more than three occasions or for more than forty-five (45) consecutive calendar days, or more than ninety (90) total calendar days, in each case during any twelve-month period, and (ii) the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to make the Registration Statement available for the sale by Subscriber of its Shares as soon as practicable thereafter.. Upon receipt of any written notice from the Company of the happening of any Suspension Event (which notice shall not contain material non-public information) during the period that the Registration Statement is effective or if as a result of a Suspension Event the Registration Statement or related prospectus contains 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 light of the circumstances under which they were made (in the case of the prospectus) not misleading, the Subscriber agrees that (i) it will immediately discontinue offers and sales of the Shares under the Registration Statement (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, sales conducted pursuant to Rule 144) until such Subscriber receives copies of a supplemental or amended prospectus (which the Company agrees to promptly prepare) that corrects the misstatement(s) or omission(s) referred to above and receives notice that any post-effective amendment has become effective or unless otherwise notified by the Company that it may resume such offers and sales, and (ii) it will maintain the confidentiality of any information included in such written notice delivered by the Company unless otherwise required by law or subpoena. If so directed by the Company, the Subscriber will deliver to the Company or, in such Subscriber’s sole discretion destroy, all copies of the prospectus covering the Acquired Securities in the Subscriber’s possession; provided, however, that this obligation to deliver or destroy all copies of the prospectus covering the Shares shall not apply (A) to the extent the Subscriber is required to retain a copy of such prospectus (1) in order to comply with applicable legal, regulatory, self-regulatory or professional requirements or (2) in accordance with a bona fide pre-existing document retention policy or (B) to copies stored electronically on archival servers as a result of automatic data back-up.
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c. The Company will provide a draft of the Registration Statement to the Holder for review at least three (3) business days in advance of filing the Registration Statement. In no event shall any Holder be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement unless required by the SEC; provided, that if the SEC requests that the Subscriber be identified as a statutory underwriter in the Registration Statement, the Subscriber will have an opportunity to withdraw from the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the SEC prevents the Company from including any or all of the shares proposed to be registered under the Registration Statement due to limitations on the use of Rule 415 of the Securities Act for the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders or otherwise, such Registration Statement shall register for resale such number of Common Shares which is equal to the maximum number of Common Shares as is permitted by the SEC. In such event, the number of Common Shares to be registered for each selling shareholder named in the Registration Statement shall be reduced pro rata among all such selling shareholders. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the continuous effectiveness of the Registration Statement until all such securities cease to be Registrable Securities (as defined below) or such shorter period upon which all Holders with Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement have notified the Company that such Registrable Securities have actually been sold. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause the removal of all restrictive legends from any Acquired Securities being sold under the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144 at the time of sale of such Registrable Securities and, at the request of a Holder, cause the removal of all restrictive legends from any Registrable Securities held by such Holder that may be sold by such Holder without restriction under Rule 144, including without limitation, any volume and manner of sale restrictions, (ii) cause its legal counsel to deliver the necessary legal opinions, if any, to the transfer agent in connection with the instruction under subclause (i) upon the receipt of such supporting documentation, if any, as reasonably requested by such counsel, and (iii) ensure that any Registrable Securities being sold under the Registration Statement or pursuant to Rule 144 at the time of sale of such Registrable Securities will be eligible for clearance and settlement through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to file all reports, and provide all customary and reasonable cooperation, necessary to enable Holder to resell Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or Rule 144 under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”), as applicable, qualify the Registrable Securities for listing on the applicable stock exchange, update or amend the Registration Statement as necessary to include Registrable Securities and provide customary notice to Holders. “Registrable Securities” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the Acquired Securities and any other equity security issued or issuable with respect to the Acquired Securities by way of share split, dividend, distribution, recapitalization, merger, exchange, replacement or similar event. As to any particular Registrable Securities, once issued, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities at the earliest of (A) the date all Acquired Securities held by a Holder may be sold by such Holder without restriction under Rule 144, including without limitation, any volume and manner of sale restrictions which may be applicable to affiliates under Rule 144, other than the requirement for the Issuer to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c), (C) when they shall have ceased to be outstanding or (D) three years from the date of effectiveness of the Registration Statement. “Holder” shall mean the Subscriber or affiliate of the Subscriber to which the rights under this Section 5 shall have been assigned.
d. The Company shall, notwithstanding any termination of this Subscription Agreement, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Subscriber and any other Holder, the officers, directors, trustees, agents, partners, members, managers, shareholders, affiliates, employees and investment advisers of each of them, each person who controls Subscriber (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and the officers, directors, trustees, agents, partners, members, managers, shareholders, affiliates, employees and investment advisers of each such controlling person, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs (including, without limitation, reasonable costs of preparation and investigation and reasonable attorneys’ fees) and expenses (collectively, “Losses”), as incurred, that arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any form of prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any prospectus or form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, or (ii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, Exchange Act or any state securities law or any rule or regulation thereunder, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Section 6, except insofar as and to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements omissions or alleged omissions are based solely upon information regarding Subscriber furnished in writing to the Company by Subscriber expressly for use therein. The Company shall notify Subscriber and each other Holder promptly of the institution, threat or assertion of any proceeding arising from or in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Section 6 of which the Company is aware. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of an indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of the Acquired Securities by Subscriber or any other Holder.
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e. Subscriber or any Holder shall, severally and not jointly with any other purchaser, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, officers, agents and employees, each person who controls the Company (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and Section 20 of the Exchange Act), and the directors, officers, agents or employees of such controlling persons, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, from and against all Losses, as incurred, arising out of or are based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement, any prospectus included in the Registration Statement, or any form of prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus, or arising out of or relating to any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any prospectus, or any form of prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statements or omissions are based solely upon information regarding Subscriber or any Holder furnished to the Company in writing by Subscriber or such Holder expressly for use therein. In no event shall the liability of Subscriber or any Holder be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by Subscriber or such Holder upon the sale of the Acquired Securities giving rise to such indemnification obligation.
6. Termination. This Subscription Agreement shall terminate and be void and of no further force and effect, and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall terminate without any further liability on the part of any party in respect thereof, upon the earlier to occur of (a) such date and time as the Transaction Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, (b) upon the mutual written agreement of each of the parties hereto to terminate this Subscription Agreement, (c) if any of the conditions to Closing set forth in Section 2 of this Subscription Agreement that are not waived by the Subscriber are not satisfied, or are not capable of being satisfied, on or prior to the Closing and, as a result thereof, the transactions contemplated by this Subscription Agreement are not and will not be consummated at the Closing, or (d) closing of the Transaction does not occur prior to 11:59 p.m. prevailing New York City time on the Outside Closing Date (as defined below); provided, that nothing herein will relieve any party hereto from liability for any willful breach hereof (including for the avoidance of doubt Subscriber’s willful breach of Section 2(b)(ii) of this Subscription Agreement with respect to its representations and warranties as of the Closing Date) prior to the time of termination, and each party hereto will be entitled to any remedies at law or in equity to recover losses, liabilities or damages arising from such breach. The Company shall notify Subscriber of the termination of the Transaction Agreement promptly after the termination of the Transaction Agreement. “Outside Closing Date” means the deadline for the Company to consummate its initial business combination pursuant to its organizational documents, which is initially March 15, 2021; provided, however, that, the “Outside Closing Date” may be extended as provided in the Transaction Agreement.
7. No Short Sales. The Subscriber hereby agrees that, from the date of this Subscription Agreement, none of the undersigned, its controlled affiliates, or any person or entity acting on behalf of the undersigned or any of its controlled affiliates or pursuant to any understanding with the undersigned or any of its controlled affiliates will engage in any Short Sales with respect to securities of the Company prior to the Closing. For purposes of this Section 7, “Short Sales” shall include, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, and all types of direct and indirect stock pledges (other than pledges in the ordinary course of business as part of prime brokerage arrangements), forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, swaps and similar arrangements (including on a total return basis), and sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing herein shall prohibit other entities under common management with Subscriber that have no knowledge of this Subscription Agreement or of Subscriber’s participation in the Subscription (including the Subscriber’s controlled affiliates and/or affiliates) from entering into any Short Sales and (ii) in the case of a Subscriber that is a multi-managed investment vehicle whereby separate portfolio managers manage separate portions of such Subscriber’s assets and the portfolio managers have no knowledge of the investment decisions made by the portfolio managers managing other portions of such Subscriber’s assets, the representation set forth above shall only apply with respect to the portion of assets managed by the portfolio manager that made the investment decision to purchase the Acquired Shares covered by this Subscription Agreement; provided, however, that if any other portfolio manager is aware of the investment decision to purchase the Acquired Shares covered by this Subscription Agreement, the representation set forth above shall also apply to with respect to the portion of assets managed such portfolio manager.
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8. Trust Account Waiver. Subscriber acknowledges that the Company is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. Subscriber further acknowledges that, as described in the Company’s final prospectus, dated November 21, 2019, related to its initial public offering (the “Prospectus”) available at www.sec.gov, substantially all of the Company’s assets consist of the cash proceeds of the Company’s initial public offering and private placements of its securities, and substantially all of those proceeds have been deposited in a trust account (the “Trust Account”) for the benefit of the Company, its public shareholders and the underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering. Except with respect to interest earned on the funds held in the Trust Account that may be released to the Company to pay its tax obligations, if any, the cash in the Trust Account may be disbursed only for the purposes set forth in the Prospectus. For and in consideration of the Company entering into this Subscription Agreement, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Subscriber, on behalf of itself and its Representatives, hereby irrevocably waives any and all right, title and interest, or any claim of any kind they have or may have in the future, in or to any monies held in the Trust Account and agrees not to seek recourse or make or bring any action, suit, claim or other proceeding against the Trust Account as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Acquired Securities regardless of whether such claim arises based on contract, tort, equity or any other theory of legal liability, provided, however, that nothing in this Section 8 shall be deemed to limit any Subscriber’s right, title, interest or claim to the Trust Account by virtue of such Subscriber’s record or beneficial ownership of securities of the Company acquired by any means other than pursuant to this Subscription Agreement, including but not limited to any redemption right with respect to any such securities of the Company. Subscriber acknowledges and agrees that it shall not have any redemption rights with respect to the Acquired Securities pursuant to the Company’s organizational documents in connection with the Transaction or any other business combination, any subsequent liquidation of the Trust Account, the Company or otherwise. In the event Subscriber has any claim against the Company as a result of, or arising out of, this Subscription Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or the Acquired Securities, it shall pursue such claim solely against the Company and its assets outside the Trust Account and not against the Trust Account or any monies or other assets in the Trust Account.
9. Miscellaneous.
a. The Company shall, no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second (2nd) business day immediately following the date this Subscription Agreement is accepted by the Company as set forth on the Company’s signature page hereto, issue one or more press releases or file with the Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K (collectively, the “Disclosure Document”) disclosing all material terms of the transactions contemplated hereby and the Transaction. From and after the issuance of the Disclosure Document, the undersigned shall not be in possession of any material, non-public information received from the Company or any of its officers, directors or employees.
b. Subscriber acknowledges that the Company, the Placement Agents and others will rely on the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties contained in this Subscription Agreement. Prior to the Closing, Subscriber agrees to promptly notify the Company if any of the acknowledgments, understandings, agreements, representations and warranties set forth herein are no longer accurate in all material respects.
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c. The Company is entitled to rely upon this Subscription Agreement and is irrevocably authorized to produce this Subscription Agreement or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceeding or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby to the extent required by law or regulatory bodies.
d. Neither this Subscription Agreement nor any rights that may accrue to Subscriber hereunder (other than the Acquired Securities acquired hereunder, if any) may be transferred or assigned; provided, however, that Subscriber may assign this Subscription Agreement to an affiliate subject to the assignee executing a joinder in a form acceptable to the Company; provided, further, that any such assignment shall not relieve Subscriber of any of its obligations hereunder unless and until the assignee satisfies such obligations in their entirety.
e. All the agreements, representations and warranties made by each party hereto in this Subscription Agreement shall survive the Closing.
f. The Company may request from Subscriber such additional information as the Company may reasonably deem necessary to evaluate the eligibility of Subscriber to acquire the Acquired Securities, and Subscriber shall provide such information as may be reasonably requested, to the extent readily available and to the extent consistent with its internal policies and procedures and provided that the Company shall keep any such information provided by the Subscriber confidential.
g. This Subscription Agreement may not be modified, waived or terminated except (i) by an instrument in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of such modification, waiver, or termination is sought and (ii) after obtaining prior written consent from the Company and the Subscriber; provided, that Sections 4 and 8(h) of this Subscription Agreement may not be amended, terminated or waived in a manner that is material and adverse to the either of the Placement Agents without the written consent of the affected Placement Agent.
h. This Subscription Agreement constitutes the entire agreement, and supersedes all other prior agreements, understandings, representations and warranties, both written and oral, among the parties, with respect to the subject matter hereof expect that any confidentiality agreement with respect to the undersigned or its affiliates shall remain in full force and effect.
i. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Subscription Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives, and permitted assigns, and the agreements, representations, warranties, covenants and acknowledgments contained herein shall be deemed to be made by, and be binding upon, such heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns. The parties hereto agree that the Placement Agents are express third-party beneficiaries of their express rights in Section 3, Section 4, Section 8(f) and this Section 8(h) of this Subscription Agreement. Each of the parties hereto and the Placement Agents shall be entitled to seek and obtain equitable relief, without proof of actual damages, including an injunction or injunctions or order for specific performance to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement to cause the Company to cause, or directly cause, Subscriber to fund the Purchase Price and cause the Closing to occur if the conditions in Section 2(b) have been satisfied or, to the extent permitted by applicable law, waived. Each party hereto further agrees that the none of the parties hereto or the Placement Agents shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in this Section 8(h), and each party hereto irrevocably waives any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.
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j. If any provision of this Subscription Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Subscription Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall continue in full force and effect.
k. This Subscription Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts (including by facsimile or electronic mail or in .pdf) and by different parties in separate counterparts, with the same effect as if all parties hereto had signed the same document. All counterparts so executed and delivered shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same agreement.
l. The parties hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Subscription Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of this Subscription Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Subscription Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which such party is entitled at law, in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise.
m. THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SOLELY IN RESPECT OF THE INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND THE DOCUMENTS REFERRED TO IN THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT AND IN RESPECT OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, AND HEREBY WAIVE, AND AGREE NOT TO ASSERT, AS A DEFENSE IN ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING FOR INTERPRETATION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR ANY SUCH DOCUMENT THAT IS NOT SUBJECT THERETO OR THAT SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING MAY NOT BE BROUGHT OR IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN SAID COURTS OR THAT VENUE THEREOF MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE OR THAT THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR ANY SUCH DOCUMENT MAY NOT BE ENFORCED IN OR BY SUCH COURTS, AND THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AGREE THAT ALL CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED BY SUCH A NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL COURT. THE PARTIES HEREBY CONSENT TO AND GRANT ANY SUCH COURT JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSON OF SUCH PARTIES AND OVER THE SUBJECT MATTER OF SUCH DISPUTE AND AGREE THAT MAILING OF PROCESS OR OTHER PAPERS IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN THE MANNER PROVIDED IN SECTION 8(l) OF THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR IN SUCH OTHER MANNER AS MAY BE PERMITTED BY LAW SHALL BE VALID AND SUFFICIENT SERVICE THEREOF.
EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND THEREFORE EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (II) SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOREGOING WAIVER; (III) SUCH PARTY MAKES THE FOREGOING WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVER AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 8(l).
n. This Subscription Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Company and Subscriber has executed or caused this Subscription Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized representative as of the date set forth below.
NEW PROVIDENCE ACQUISITION CORP. |
||
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
Date: ____________________ |
Signature Page to Subscription Agreement
SUBSCRIBER:
Signature of Subscriber:
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
Date: __________________________ |
|
Name of Subscriber:
_____________________________
|
Name
of Joint Subscriber, if applicable:
|
|
|
Email Address: _______________________ | |
Subscriber’s EIN: __________________________ | |
Business Address:
_____________________________
_____________________________ |
|
Attn: __________________________ | |
Telephone No.: __________________________ | |
Facsimile No.: __________________________ | |
Aggregate Number of Common Shares subscribed for: __________ | |
Jurisdiction of residency: __________________________ | |
Aggregate Purchase Price: $ ____________ |
You must pay the Purchase Price by wire transfer of United States dollars in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company in the Closing Notice.
Signature Page to Subscription Agreement
SCHEDULE
A
ELIGIBILITY REPRESENTATIONS OF SUBSCRIBERS
A. | QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER STATUS |
(Please check the applicable subparagraphs):
1. | We are a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a “QIB”). |
2. | We are subscribing for the Acquired Securities as a fiduciary or agent for one or more investor accounts, and each owner of such account is a QIB. |
***OR*** |
B. |
ACCREDITED
INVESTOR STATUS
(Please check the applicable subparagraphs): |
1. | We are an “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act or an entity in which all of the equity holders are accredited investors within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act), and have marked and initialed the appropriate boxes on the following page indicating all provisions under which we qualify as an “accredited investor.” |
2. | We are not a natural person. |
***AND*** |
C. |
AFFILIATE
STATUS
(Please check the applicable box) SUBSCRIBER: |
is:
is not:
an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company or acting on behalf of an affiliate of the Company.
***AND*** |
D. | INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNT STATUS |
(Please check the applicable box)
is:
is
not:
an “Institutional Account” (as defined in FINRA 4512(c)).
Schedule A-1
This
page should be completed by Subscribers
and constitutes a part of the Subscription Agreement.
Rule 501(a), in relevant part, states that an “accredited investor” shall mean any person who comes within any of the below listed categories, or who the issuer reasonably believes comes within any of the below listed categories, at the time of the sale of the securities to that person. Subscriber has indicated, by marking and initialing the appropriate box below, the provision(s) below which apply to Subscriber and under which Subscriber accordingly qualifies as an “accredited investor.”
☐ Any bank as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act, or any savings and loan association or other institution as defined in Section 3(a)(5)(A) of the Securities Act whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity;
☐ Any broker or dealer registered pursuant to Section 15 of the Exchange Act;
☐ Any insurance company as defined in Section 2(a)(13) of the Securities Act;
☐ Any investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a business development company as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of that Act;
☐ Any Small Business Investment Company licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) or (d) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
☐ Any plan established and maintained by a state, its political subdivisions, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or its political subdivisions for the benefit of its employees, if such plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
☐ Any employee benefit plan, within the meaning of ERISA, if a bank, insurance company, or registered investment adviser makes the investment decisions, or if the plan has total assets in excess of $5,000,000;
☐ Any private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
☐ Any organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, corporation, Massachusetts or similar business trust, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of $5,000,000; or
☐ Any trust with assets in excess of $5,000,000, not formed to acquire the securities offered, whose purchase is directed by a sophisticated person.
Schedule A-2
Exhibit 99.1
AST & Science LLC to Become Public Company Through Combination with New Providence Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: NPA, NPAUU and NPAWW)
● | AST & Science LLC (“AST SpaceMobile”) is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones |
● | AST SpaceMobile to become publicly listed through a business combination with New Providence Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: NPA, NPAUU and NPAWW) |
● | Combined company to have an estimated post-transaction enterprise value of $1.4 billion and will become listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “ASTS” following expected transaction close in the first quarter of 2021 |
● | Transaction to provide up to $462 million in gross proceeds, comprised of New Providence Acquisition Corp.’s $232 million of cash held in trust (assuming no redemptions) and a $230 million fully committed common stock PIPE at $10.00 per share, including investments from Rakuten, Vodafone, American Tower, UBS O’Connor and a broad base of financial institutions |
● | AST SpaceMobile LLC shareholders Vodafone, Rakuten, American Tower, and Cisneros will increase their equity holding through participation in the PIPE financing in support of AST SpaceMobile’s transition into the publicly listed company |
MIDLAND, TX— December 16, 2020 – AST & Science LLC (“AST SpaceMobile”), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today announced it has entered into a business combination agreement with New Providence Acquisition Corp. (“New Providence”) (NASDAQ: NPA, NPAUU and NPAWW), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. Upon closing of the transaction, AST SpaceMobile will become a publicly traded company, and it is expected that its common stock will be listed on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol “ASTS” upon closing the transaction. Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile, will continue to lead the business post-transaction. The combined company will have an implied pro forma enterprise value of approximately $1.4 billion and is expected to have an equity value of approximately $1.8 billion at closing.
Backed by an extensive IP and patent portfolio, AST SpaceMobile will uniquely address the $1 trillion global mobile wireless services market by delivering seamless broadband cellular connectivity directly to unmodified, existing mobile phones, without any need for specialized hardware. With an expected initial access to 1.3 billion subscribers of some of the world’s largest cellular operators, AST SpaceMobile will be positioned to rapidly scale its revenue streams as it deploys its space assets for nearly complete global coverage, while benefitting from operating leverage and low maintenance capital costs via its super-wholesale, business-to-business model. Once deployed, AST SpaceMobile’s services will meet the needs of at least five billion mobile subscribers who face broadband connectivity issues when moving in and out of cellular coverage, and will enable access by more than half of the world population that do not have internet on their phone.
AST SpaceMobile and New Providence have secured a commitment for a $230 million private placement investment (“PIPE”) to be consummated at the closing of the transaction. The PIPE is being led by AST SpaceMobile’s strategic partners, including Vodafone, Rakuten (Japan leader in e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications), and American Tower (a global leader in communications infrastructure), as well as UBS O’Connor and a broad base of financial institutions.
“AST SpaceMobile’s low latency, space-based platform will allow hundreds of millions of people across the world to access high-speed, cellular broadband service in areas where there was previously no such service. Working directly with our strategic partners, we are on track in executing on phase one of our commercial launch as we set the stage to bring our game-changing space network for global mobile connectivity,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile.
“Universal broadband access has become a global necessity, and we are uniquely positioned to leverage our innovative technology solution and efficient business model to democratize broadband cellular access across the globe,” Mr. Avellan continued. “Building on the strong investor support we have received in the private markets, we are thrilled to partner with New Providence and transition AST SpaceMobile to a public company, which will solidify our financial profile as we continue to execute on our vision.”
“AST SpaceMobile represents a unique opportunity to invest in a pioneering company with revolutionary technology, access to a built-in customer base, and a flexible and scalable business model that addresses one of the largest challenges to global connectivity,” said Alex Coleman, Chairman of New Providence. “Facing an extraordinary market opportunity, we believe AST SpaceMobile is poised for sustained growth as it executes its commercialization plan and ultimate expansion across the globe.”
Transaction Overview
Pursuant to the transaction, New Providence, which currently holds approximately $232 million in cash in trust, will combine with AST SpaceMobile at an estimated $1.4 billion pro forma enterprise value, or 1.4 times calendar year 2024’s estimated EBITDA of approximately $1 billion. The company will have no debt on the balance sheet at closing. Assuming no redemptions by New Providence’s existing public stockholders, AST SpaceMobile’s existing shareholders will hold approximately 71 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock immediately following the closing of the business combination.
The combined company expects to receive up to $462 million in gross proceeds, assuming no redemptions of New Providence’s existing public stockholders, including the private placement backed by strategic partners, existing investors and a broad base of financial institutions. All AST SpaceMobile shareholders are retaining 100% of their equity in the combined company. The cash proceeds are expected to be used to fund phase one of the commercial launch of AST SpaceMobile’s space assets.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the New Providence Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors of AST SpaceMobile, and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval of the shareholders of New Providence.
Additional information about the proposed business combination, including a copy of the equity purchase agreement and investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by New Providence today with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. The investor presentation can also be found on AST SpaceMobile’s website at https://ast-science.com/ and www.npa-corp.com.
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Investor Conference Call Information
AST SpaceMobile and New Providence will host a joint investor conference call to discuss the proposed transaction on December 16, 2020 at 7:00 AM ET.
To listen to the prepared remarks via telephone, dial 1-844-512-2921 (U.S.) or 1-412-317-6671 (international) and an operator will assist you, or via webcast at https://viavid.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1414383&tp_key=7d2f29eae5. A telephone replay will be available by using pin number: 1142767. The telephone replay will be available through January 16, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.
Advisors
Barclays is acting as financial advisor and capital markets advisor to AST SpaceMobile. Barclays and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as placement agents to New Providence in connection with the PIPE offering. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and BTIG LLC are acting as financial and capital markets advisors to New Providence.
Latham & Watkins LLP and Foley & Lardner LLP are acting as legal counsel to AST SpaceMobile, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP is acting as legal counsel to New Providence.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first, and only, global broadband cellular network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our team of engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. Learn more at www.ast-science.com and follow AST SpaceMobile on Twitter @AST_SpaceMobile and LinkedIn, and for an overview of AST SpaceMobile, check out this video.
About New Providence Acquisition Corp.
New Providence Acquisition Corp. is a blank check company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. In September 2019, New Providence Acquisition Corp. consummated a $230 million initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 23 million units (reflecting the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option in full), each unit consisting of one of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and one-half warrant, each whole warrant enabling the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of $11.50 per share. New Providence’s securities are quoted on the Nasdaq stock exchange under the ticker symbols NPA, NPAUU and NPAWW.
Additional Information
NPA intends to file a preliminary proxy statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with the proposed Business Combination, NPA will mail the definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents to its stockholders. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Business Combination. It is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect to the proposed Business Combination. NPA’s stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement, any amendments thereto, and the definitive proxy statement in connection with NPA’s solicitation of proxies for the special meeting to be held to approve the Business Combination as these materials will contain important information about AST and NPA and the proposed the Business Combination. The definitive proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of NPA as of a record date to be established for voting on the Business Combination. Such stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the proxy statement, without charge, once available, at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
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Participants in the Solicitation
NPA, Sponsor and their respective directors, executive officers, other members of management, and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of NPA’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. Investors and security holders may obtain more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the Business Combination of NPA’s directors and officers in NPA’s filings with the SEC, including NPA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020, and such information and names of AST’s directors and executive officers will also be in the proxy statement of NPA for the Business Combination. Stockholders can obtain copies of NPA’s filings with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
AST SpaceMobile and its directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from NPA’s stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the Business Combination will be included in the proxy statement for the Business Combination when available.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to purchase, nor a solicitation of an offer to sell, subscribe for or buy any securities or the solicitation of any vote in any jurisdiction pursuant to the Business Combination or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer or securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact contained in this communication including, without limitation, statements regarding NPA’s or AST’s financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations; anticipated financial impacts of the Business Combination; the satisfaction of the closing conditions to the Business Combination; and the timing of the completion of the Business Combination, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “seek” and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management’s current beliefs, based on information currently available.
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These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside NPA’s and AST’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Equity Purchase Agreement or could otherwise cause the Business Combination to fail to close; (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against NPA and AST following the execution of the Equity Purchase Agreement and the Business Combination; (iii) any inability to complete the Business Combination, including due to failure to obtain approval of the stockholders of NPA or other conditions to closing in the Equity Purchase Agreement; (iv) the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party for an alternative business transaction that could interfere with the Business Combination; (v) the inability to maintain the listing of the shares of common stock of the post-acquisition company on The Nasdaq Stock Market following the Business Combination; (vi) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations as a result of the announcement and consummation of the Business Combination; (vii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees; (viii) costs related to the Business Combination; (ix) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (x) the possibility that AST or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (xi) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the proxy statement, including those under the section entitled “Risk Factors”, and in NPA’s other filings with the SEC.
NPA cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. NPA cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors section of NPA’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. NPA’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, NPA disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Investor Relations
Michael Bowen
ASTIR@icrinc.com
203-682-8299
Media Relations
Scott Cianciulli
The Plunkett Group
(212) 739-6753
scott@theplunkettgroup.com
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Exhibit 99.2