UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 17, 2021
Code Chain New Continent Limited
(Exact name of Company as specified in charter)
Nevada | 001-37513 | 47-3709051 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation) |
(Commission File No.) |
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
No 119 South Zhaojuesi Road
2nd Floor, Room 1
Chenghua District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China 610047
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip code)
+86 028-84112941
(Company’s Telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the Company 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)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) |
Name
of each exchange
on which registered |
||
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 | CCNC | Nasdaq Capital Market | ||
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
On March 17, 2021, Mr. Jianing Yu tendered his resignation as the Chief Operating Officer of Code Chain New Continent Limited (the “Company”), effective March 17, 2021. The resignation of Mr. Yu has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company. Mr. Yu’s resignation was not a result of any disagreement with the Company’s operations, policies or procedures.
On March 17, 2021, approved by the Board of Directors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and and the Compensation Committee of the Company, Mr. Jianan Liang was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective March 17, 2021.
The biographical information of Mr. Jianan Liang is set forth below:
Jianan Liang, age 45, is the general manager of sales in China of Akamai Information Technology Co., Ltd. Since October 2012, Mr. Liang has been in charge of the business development of Akamai in China in connection with cloud-based acceleration services and security services for global network applications and content distribution for Chinese e-commerce, high-tech and financial services companies’ business development overseas. Mr. Liang has also been the Vice President (Business) of China Soft Power Technology Group Holdings Co., Ltd. since December 2015, where he was in charge of establishing and maintaining partnerships with international operators to provide international submarine cable transmission and cloud infrastructure services, and to help customers expand their businesses based on the Internet. Additionally, Mr. Liang has served as Senior Vice President of Beijing Supply and Marketing Big Data Group since July 2017, where he was responsible for providing the cloud computing technologies required for business's digital transformation. From October 2010 to October 2012, he served as the head of HP China solution sales, responsible for the sales performance of software products and services of China HP Imaging and Printing Group in China, and formulating sales strategies for Customers provide one-stop services (hardware, software and services). From January 2009 to October 2010, he was the sales and marketing director of Hong Kong Ludao Telecom Co., Ltd., responsible for selecting agent products and formulating sales strategies. From October 2003 to January 2009, he was the general sales manager of Captaris China, responsible for achieving sales performance goals in China, expanding market share, and establishing a pipeline relationship with the company's global partners in the Chinese market for the first time. From October 2001 to October 2003, Mr. Liang served as a product technical expert for Microsoft China Co., Ltd., where he was responsible for providing product technical pre-sales support to industry customers, including carrying out in-depth solution development and customization.
Mr. Jianan Liang holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from Harbin Institute of Technology, China. Mr. Liang has also graduated from the China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) senior executive business management program. Mr. Liang has served as senior sales managers in various renowned companies that are listed in the United States, Canada, China and Hong Kong. With nearly 20 years of experience in sales, technology and team management, Mr. Liang accumulated numerous partners and customer relationships in several government agencies, large state-owned enterprises, local industry leaders and multinational companies, including the world's leading e-commerce companies, international financial insurance companies, high-tech product manufacturers, instant social APPs and other Internet integrated service providers. He has provided comprehensive products and technical solutions, including but not limited to cloud services, network security, content distribution (CDN), big data analysis, Internet of Things, etc.
Mr. Liang does not have any family relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company. Mr. Liang has not been involved in any transaction with the Company during the past two years that would require disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.
Mr. Liang entered into an employment agreement with the Company and agreed to receive an annual compensation of $30,000, effective March 17, 2021. The employment agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the agreement, which is filed hereto as Exhibits 10.1.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CODE CHAIN NEW CONTINENT LIMITED | ||
Date: March 17, 2021 | By: | /s/ Weidong (David) Feng |
Name: | Weidong (David) Feng | |
Title: | Co-CEO |
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Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is entered into as of March 17, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Code Chain New Continent Limited, a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Jianan Liang, an individual (the “Executive”). Except with respect to the direct employment of the Executive by the Company, the term “Company” as used herein with respect to all obligations of the Executive hereunder shall be deemed to include the Company and all of its subsidiaries and affiliated entities (collectively, the “Group”).
RECITALS
A. The Company desires to employ the Executive as its Chief Operating Officer to assure itself of the services of the Executive during the term of Employment (as defined below).
B. The Executive desires to be employed by the Company as its Chief Operating Officer during the term of Employment and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
AGREEMENT
The parties hereto agree as follows:
1. | POSITION |
The Executive hereby accepts a position of Chief Operating Officer (the “Employment”) of the Company.
2. | TERM |
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the initial term of the Employment shall be 3 years commencing on the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. The Employment will be renewed automatically for additional one-year terms if neither the Company nor the Executive provides a notice of termination of the Employment to the other party or otherwise proposes to re- negotiate the terms of the Employment with the other party within three months prior to the expiration of the applicable term.
3. | DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES |
(a) | The Executive’s duties at the Company will include all jobs assigned by the Company’s Board of the Directors (the “Board”). |
(b) | The Executive shall devote all of his working time, attention and skills to the performance of his duties at the Company and shall faithfully and diligently serve the Company in accordance with this Agreement, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated from time to time (the “Charter Documents”), and the guidelines, policies and procedures of the Company approved from time to time by the Board. |
(c) | The Executive shall use his best efforts to perform his duties hereunder. The Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, become an employee of any entity other than the Company and any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, and shall not be concerned or interested in any business or entity that engages in the same business in which the Company engages (any such business or entity, a “Competitor”), provided that nothing in this clause shall preclude the Executive from holding any shares or other securities of any Competitor that is listed on any securities exchange or recognized securities market anywhere if such shares or securities represent less than 5% of the competitors outstanding shares and securities. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of his interest in such shares or securities in a timely manner and with such details and particulars as the Company may reasonably require. |
4. | NO BREACH OF CONTRACT |
The Executive hereby represents to the Company that: (i) the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Executive and the performance by the Executive of the Executive’s duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise contravene, the terms of any other agreement or policy to which the Executive is a party or otherwise bound, except for agreements entered into by and between the Executive and any member of the Group pursuant to applicable law, if any; (ii) that the Executive has no information (including, without limitation, confidential information and trade secrets) relating to any other person or entity which would prevent, or be violated by, the Executive entering into this Agreement or carrying out his duties hereunder; (iii) that the Executive is not bound by any confidentiality, trade secret or similar agreement (other than this) with any other person or entity except for other member(s) of the Group, as the case may be.
5. | COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS |
(a) | Base Salary. The Executive’s initial base salary shall be $30,000 per year, paid in periodic installments in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll practices, and such compensation is subject to annual review and adjustment by the Board. |
(b) | Bonus. The Executive shall be eligible for Bonuses determined by the Board. |
(c) | Equity Incentives. To the extent the Company adopts and maintains a share incentive plan, the Executive will be eligible to participate in such plan pursuant to the terms thereof as determined by the Board. |
(d) | Benefits. The Executive is eligible for participation in any standard employee benefit plan of the Company that currently exists or may be adopted by the Company in the future, including, but not limited to, any retirement plan, life insurance plan, health insurance plan and travel/holiday plan. |
(e) | Expenses. The Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Company for all reasonable ordinary and necessary travel and other expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his duties under this Agreement; provided that he properly accounts for such expenses in accordance with the Company’s policies and procedures. |
6. | TERMINATION OF THE AGREEMENT |
(a) | By the Company. |
(i) For Cause. The Company may terminate the Employment for cause, at any time, without notice or remuneration (unless notice or remuneration is specifically required by applicable law, in which case notice or remuneration will be provided in accordance with applicable law), if:
(1) the Executive is convicted or pleads guilty to a felony or to an act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement,
(2) the Executive has been grossly negligent or acted dishonestly to the detriment of the Company,
(3) the Executive has engaged in actions amounting to willful misconduct or failed to perform his duties hereunder and such failure continues after the Executive is afforded a reasonable opportunity to cure such failure; or
(4) the Executive violates Section 7 or 9 of this Agreement.
Upon termination for cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the amount of base salary earned and not paid prior to termination. However, the Executive will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the Executive’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law.
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(ii) For death and disability. The Company may also terminate the Employment, at any time, without notice or remuneration (unless notice or remuneration is specifically required by applicable law, in which case notice or remuneration will be provided in accordance with applicable law), if:
(1) the Executive has died, or
(2) the Executive has a disability which shall mean a physical or mental impairment which, as reasonably determined by the Board, renders the Executive unable to perform the essential functions of his employment with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, for more than 120 days in any 12-month period, unless a longer period is required by applicable law, in which case that longer period would apply.
Upon termination for death or disability, the Executive shall be entitled to the amount of base salary earned and not paid prior to termination. However, the Executive will not be entitled to receive payment of any severance benefits or other amounts by reason of the termination, and the Executive’s right to all other benefits will terminate, except as required by any applicable law.
(iii) Without Cause. The Company may terminate the Employment without cause, at any time, upon a prior written notice. Upon termination without cause, the Company shall provide the following severance payments and benefits to the Executive: (1) a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of the Executive’s base salary as of the date of such termination; (2) a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro- rated amount of his target annual bonus for the year immediately preceding the termination, if any; (3) payment of premiums for continued health benefits under the Company’s health plans for 12 months fo1lowing the termination, if any; and (4) immediate vesting of 100% of the then-unvested portion of any outstanding equity awards held by the Executive.
Upon termination without, the Executive shall be entitled to the amount of base salary earned and not paid prior to termination.
(iv) Change of Control Transaction. If the Company or its successor terminates the Employment upon a merger, consolidation, or transfer or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company with or to any other individual(s) or entity (the “Change of Control Transaction”), the Executive shall be entitled to the following severance payments and benefits upon such termination: (1) a lump sum cash payment equal to 12 months of the Executive’s base salary at a rate equal to the greater of his/her annual salary in effect immediate1y prior to the termination, or his/her then current annua1 salary as of the date of such termination; (2) a lump sum cash payment equal to a pro-rated amount of his/her target annual bonus for the year immediately preceding the termination; and (3) immediate vesting of 100% of the then-unvested portion of any outstanding equity awards held by the Executive.
(b) | By the Executive. The Executive may terminate the Employment at any time with a prior written notice to the Company, if (1) there is a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties and responsibilities, or (2) there is a material reduction in the Executive’s annual salary. Upon the Executive’s termination of the Employment due to either of the above reasons, the Company shall provide compensation to the Executive equivalent to 12 months of the Executive’s base salary that he is entitled to immediately prior to such termination. In addition, the Executive may resign prior to the expiration of the Agreement if such resignation is approved by the Board or an alternative arrangement with respect to the Employment is agreed to by the Board. |
(c) | Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall be communicated by written notice of termination from the terminating party to the other party. |
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7. | CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE |
(a) | Confidentiality and Non-disclosure. The Executive hereby agrees at all times during the term of the Employment and after his termination, to hold in the strictest confidence, and not to use, except for the benefit of the Company, or to disclose to any person, corporation or other entity without prior written consent of the Company, any Confidential Information. The Executive understands that “Confidential Information” means any proprietary or confidential information of the Company, its affiliates, or their respective clients, customers or partners, including, without limitation, technical data, trade secrets, research and development information, product plans, services, customer lists and customers, supplier lists and suppliers, software developments, inventions, processes, formulas, technology, designs, hardware configuration information, personnel information, marketing, finances, information about the suppliers, joint ventures, franchisees, distributors and other persons with whom the Company does business, information regarding the skills and compensation of other employees of the Company or other business information disclosed to the Executive by or obtained by the Executive from the Company, its affiliates, or their respective clients, customers or partners, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally or otherwise, if specifically indicated to be confidential or reasonably expected to be confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available and known to the public through no fault of the Executive. |
(b) | Company Property. The Executive understands that all documents (including computer records, facsimile and e-mail) and materials created, received or transmitted in connection with his work or using the facilities of the Company are property of the Company and subject to inspection by the Company at any time. Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company (or at any other time when requested by the Company), the Executive will promptly deliver to the Company all documents and materials of any nature pertaining to his work with the Company and will provide written certification of his compliance with this Agreement. Under no circumstances will the Executive have, following his termination, in his possession any property of the Company, or any documents or materials or copies thereof containing any Confidential Information. |
(c) | Former Employer Information. The Executive agrees that he has not and will not, during the term of his employment, (i) improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity with which the Executive has an agreement or duty to keep in confidence information acquired by Executive, if any, or (ii) bring into the premises of the Company any document or confidential or proprietary information belonging to such former employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such former employer, person or entity. The Executive will indemnify the Company and hold it harmless from and against all claims, liabilities, damages and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of suit, arising out of or in connection with any violation of the foregoing. |
(d) | Third Party Information. The Executive recognizes that the Company may have received, and in the future may receive, from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. The Executive agrees that the Executive owes the Company and such third parties, during the Executive’s employment by the Company and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or firm and to use it in a manner consistent with, and for the limited purposes permitted by, the Company’s agreement with such third party. |
This Section 7 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 7, the Company shall have right to seek remedies permissible under applicable law.
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8. | CONFLICTING EMPLOYMENT. |
The Executive hereby agrees that, during the term of his employment with the Company, he or she will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other business activity related to the business in which the Company is now involved or becomes involved during the term of the Executive’s employment, nor will the Executive engage in any other activities that conflict with his obligations to the Company without the prior written consent of the Company.
9. | NON-COMPETITION AND NON-SOLICITATION |
In consideration of the salary paid to the Executive by the Company and subject to applicable law, the Executive agrees that during the term of the Employment and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of the Employment for whatever reason:
(a) | The Executive will not approach clients, customers or contacts of the Company or other persons or entities introduced to the Executive in the Executive’s capacity as a representative of the Company for the purposes of doing business with such persons or entities which will harm the business relationship between the Company and such persons and/or entities; |
(b) | The Executive will not assume employment with or provide services as a director or otherwise for any Competitor, or engage, whether as principal, partner, licensor or otherwise, in any Competitor; and |
(c) | The Executive will not seek, directly or indirectly, by the offer of alternative employment or other inducement whatsoever, to solicit the services of any employee of the Company employed as at or after the date of such termination, or in the year preceding such termination. |
The provisions contained in Section 9 are considered reasonable by the Executive and the Company. In the event that any such provisions should be found to be void under applicable laws but would be valid if some part thereof was deleted or the period or area of application reduced, such provisions shall apply with such modification as may be necessary to make them valid and effective.
This Section 9 shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. In the event the Executive breaches this Section 9, the Executive acknowledges that there will be no adequate remedy at law, and the Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief and/or a decree for specific performance, and such other relief as may be proper (including monetary damages if appropriate). In any event, the Company shall have right to seek all remedies permissible under applicable law.
10. | WITHHOLDING TAXES |
Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Agreement such national, provincial, local or any other income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
11. | ASSIGNMENT |
This Agreement is personal in its nature and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder; provided, however, that (i) the Company may assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any member of the Group without such consent, and (ii) in the event of a Change of Control Transaction, this Agreement shall, subject to the provisions hereof, be binding upon and inure to the benefit of such successor and such successor shall discharge and perform all the promises, covenants, duties, and obligations of the Company hereunder.
12. | SEVERABILITY |
If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or applications and to this end the provisions of this Agreement are declared to be severable.
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13. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT |
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the Executive and the Company regarding the terms of the Employment and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements concerning such subject matter, including any prior agreements between the Executive and a member of the Group. The Executive acknowledges that he or she has not entered into this Agreement in reliance upon any representation, warranty or undertaking which is not set forth in this Agreement. Any amendment to this Agreement must be in writing and signed by the Executive and the Company.
14. | GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada and each of the parties irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal and state courts located in Nevada.
15. | AMENDMENT |
This Agreement may not be amended, modified or changed (in whole or in part), except by a formal, definitive written agreement expressly referring to this Agreement, which agreement is executed by both of the parties hereto.
16. | WAIVER |
Neither the failure nor any delay on the part of a party to exercise any right, remedy, power or privilege under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise of the same or of any right, remedy, power or privilege, nor shall any waiver of any right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any occurrence be construed as a waiver of such right, remedy, power or privilege with respect to any other occurrence. No waiver shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party asserted to have granted such waiver.
17. | NOTICES |
All notices, requests, demands and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given and made if (i) delivered by hand, (ii) otherwise delivered against receipt therefor, or (iii) sent by a recognized courier with next-day or second-day delivery to the last known address of the other party.
18. | COUNTERPARTS |
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement shall become binding when one or more counterparts hereof, individually or taken together, shall bear the signatures of all of the parties reflected hereon as the signatories.
Photographic copies of such signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
19. | NO INTERPRETATION AGAINST DRAFTER |
Each party recognizes that this Agreement is a legally binding contract and acknowledges that it, he or she has had the opportunity to consult with legal counsel of choice. In any construction of the terms of this Agreement, the same shall not be construed against either party on the basis of that party being the drafter of such terms.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the date first written above.
Code Chain New Continent Limited | ||
By: | /s/ Yimin Jin | |
Name: | Yimin Jin | |
Title: | CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board | |
Executive | ||
By: | /s/ Jianan Liang | |
Name: | Jianan Liang |
Exhibit 99.1
March 17th, 2021
Code Chain New Continent Limited
No 2020 Zhongshanxi Road
Room 502A40
Xuhui District, Shanghai, China 200030
Board of Directors,
Please accept my resignation as the Chief Operating Officer at Code Chain New Continent Limited, effective from March 17th, 2021.
I appreciate the opportunities from growth and development the company have provided during my tenure.
Please let know how I can be of help during the transition period. I wish the company the very best going forward.
Sincerely,
/s/ Jianing Yu | |
Jianing Yu |