UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-A/A
(Amendment No. 1)
FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
ELECTRIC LAST MILE SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 84-2308711 | |
(State of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer
Identification No.) |
1055 W. Square Lake Road | ||
Troy, Michigan | 48098 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
to be so registered |
Name
of each exchange on which
each class is to be registered |
|
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share |
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
|
Redeemable warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of common stock, each at an exercise price of $11.50 per share | The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC |
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(c) or (e), check the following box. ☒
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General Instruction A.(d) or (e) check the following box. ☐
If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities concurrently with a Regulation A offering, check the following box. ☐
Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form relates: Not Applicable
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
(Title of class)
Explanatory Note
Electric Last Mile Solutions, Inc. (f/k/a Forum Merger III Corporation) (the “Company”) hereby amends the registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-39457) filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 17, 2020.
Item 1. Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered.
This registration statement relates to the registration with the SEC of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“common stock”), of the Company and warrants to purchase common stock (“warrants”).
Prior to June 25, 2021, the Company had two classes of common stock: Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class A common stock”), and Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Class B common stock”). On June 24, 2021, the Company’s stockholders approved a merger of ELMS Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”) with and into Electric Last Mile, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ELM”) with ELM surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “Business Combination”). On June 25, 2021, the Company effected the Business Combination. In connection with the Business Combination, (i) all of the Class B common stock converted into Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis, (ii) the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation was amended and restated to, among other things, effect the reclassification of all of the Class A common stock and Class B common stock into a single class of common stock, and (iii) the Company’s board of directors approved the amendment and restatement of the Company’s bylaws.
The description of the common stock and warrants registered hereunder and related rights is set forth under the heading “Description of Securities” beginning on page 220 of the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) filed by the Company with the SEC on June 9, 2021 (File No. 001-39457) and is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the common stock and warrants is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company’s third amended and restated certification of incorporation, the Company’s amended and restated bylaws and the warrant agreement, dated as of August 18, 2020, between Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company and the Company, which are filed as Exhibits 3.1, 3.2 and 4.1 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are being filed as a part of this registration statement or are incorporated herein by reference:
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
ELECTRIC LAST MILE SOLUTIONS, INC. | ||
Date: June 25, 2021 | By: | /s/ James Taylor |
James Taylor | ||
Chief Executive Officer |
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Exhibit 3.1
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
FORUM MERGER III CORPORATION
David Boris hereby certifies that:
ONE: The name of this company is Forum Merger III Corporation and the date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation with the Secretary of State of Delaware was June 25, 2019 and an Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on July 1, 2020 and a Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation was filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on August 18, 2020.
TWO: He is the duly elected and acting Co-Chief Executive Officer of Forum Merger III Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
THREE: The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:
ARTICLE I.
The name of this corporation is Electric Last Mile Solutions, Inc. (the “Corporation”).
ARTICLE II.
The address of the Corporation’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19808, and the name of the registered agent at such address is Corporation Service Company.
ARTICLE III.
The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized and incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law or any applicable successor act thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “DGCL”).
ARTICLE IV.
A. The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 1,100,000,000 shares. 1,000,000,000 shares shall be Common Stock, each having a par value of one-hundredth of one cent ($0.0001). 100,000,000 shares shall be Preferred Stock, each having a par value of one-hundredth of one cent ($0.0001).
B. Effective immediately upon the filing and effectiveness of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Effective Time”), each share of the Corporation’s Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”), that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be reclassified, redesignated and changed into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of the Corporation’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”). Immediately following the conversion of such Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock, each share of Class A Common Stock issued and outstanding shall, automatically and without further action by any stockholder, be reclassified, redesignated and changed into one validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock.
C. Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) is hereby authorized to provide by resolution or resolutions from time to time for the issuance, out of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock, of one or more series of Preferred Stock, without stockholder approval, by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (the “Preferred Stock Designation”), setting forth such resolution and, with respect to each such series, establishing the number of shares to be included in such series, and fixing the voting powers, full or limited, or no voting power of the shares of such series, and the designation, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, if any, of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof. The powers, designation, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, if any, may differ from those of any and all other series at any time outstanding. The authority of the Board with respect to each series of Preferred Stock shall include, but not be limited to, the determination of the following: (1) the designation of the series, which may be by distinguishing number, letter or title; (2) the number of shares of the series, which number the Board may thereafter (except where otherwise provided in the Preferred Stock Designation) increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding); (3) the amounts or rates at which dividends will be payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in respect of dividends, and whether such dividends, if any, shall be cumulative or noncumulative; (4) the dates on which dividends, if any, shall be payable; (5) the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series; (6) the terms and amount of any sinking fund, if any, provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series; (7) the amounts payable on, and the preferences, if any, of shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation; (8) whether the shares of the series shall be convertible into or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of the Corporation or any other corporation, and, if so, the specification of such other class or series or such other security, the conversion or exchange price or prices or rate or rates, any adjustments thereof, the date or dates at which such shares shall be convertible or exchangeable and all other terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange may be made; (9) restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or any other class or series; (10) the voting rights, if any, of the holders of shares of the series generally or upon specified events; and (11) any other powers, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each series of Preferred Stock, and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such shares, all as may be determined from time to time by the Board and stated in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issuance of such Preferred Stock.
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D. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock of any series as may be designated by the Board upon any issuance of the Preferred Stock of any series.
E. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of any series of Preferred Stock, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock shall have the exclusive right to vote for the election and removal of directors and for all other purposes. Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter properly submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation for their vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).
F. Subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and distributions and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Corporation when, as and if declared thereon by the Board from time to time out of assets or funds of the Corporation legally available therefor.
G. Subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive the assets and funds of the Corporation available for distribution in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary. A liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, as such terms are used in this Article IV shall not be deemed to be occasioned by or to include any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other person or a sale, lease, exchange or conveyance of all or a part of its assets.
ARTICLE V.
A.
1. DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS. For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Corporation, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation shall be vested in the Board. Subject to the applicable requirements of the Director Nomination Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Nomination Agreement”), the number of directors constituting the Board shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board.
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2. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one third of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification of the Board, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his successor is duly elected and qualified or until his earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
3. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.
4. VACANCIES. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock and the rights granted pursuant to the Nomination Agreement, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified.
B.
1. BYLAW AMENDMENTS. The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Corporation by the Board shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Corporation with, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Corporation required by law or by this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
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2. BALLOTS. The directors of the Corporation need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.
3. ACTION BY STOCKHOLDERS WITHOUT A MEETING. Any action properly brought before the stockholders by or at the direction of the Board may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a written consent setting forth the action so taken is signed by the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to be voted with respect to the subject matter thereof having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.
4. NOTICE. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation.
5. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only by (i) the Chair of the Board or President and (ii) shall be called by the Chair of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be. The ability of the stockholders to call a special meeting is hereby specifically denied.
ARTICLE VI.
A. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as it now exists and as it may hereafter be amended, no director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or any of its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.
B. The Corporation may indemnify, and advance expenses to, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who was or is a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.
C. No repeal or modification of this Article VI shall apply to or have any adverse effect on any right, indemnification or protection of, or any limitation of the liability of, a director of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.
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ARTICLE VII.
A. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware unless said court lacks subject matter jurisdiction in which case the Superior Court of the State of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising under any provision of the DGCL, this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (a) through (d) above, any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of this Section A of this Article VII will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, then such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
ARTICLE VIII.
The Corporation renounces, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any interest or expectancy of the Corporation in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity pursuant to Section 122(17) of the DGCL. An “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of (i) any director of the Corporation who is not an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) any holder of Common Stock or Preferred Stock or any partner, member, director, stockholder, employee or agent of any such holder, other than someone who is an employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Covered Persons”), unless such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, a Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Corporation, such opportunity is one the Corporation is legally and contractually permitted to undertake and would otherwise be reasonable for the Corporation to pursue, and to the extent the director is permitted to refer that opportunity to the Corporation without violating any legal or contractual obligation. Any amendment, repeal or modification of the foregoing provisions of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of any director, officer or other agent of the Corporation existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
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ARTICLE IX.
A. If any provision or provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any circumstance for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Third Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each portion of any paragraph of this Third Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and (ii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation, each such portion of any paragraph of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to permit the Corporation to protect its directors, officers, employees and agents from personal liability in respect of their good faith service or for the benefit of the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by law.
B. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph C. of this Article IX, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.
C. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the Corporation required by law or by this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, at any time, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal Articles V, VI, VII and IX of this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
* * * *
FOUR: This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board of the Corporation.
FIVE: This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of the Corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the stockholders of the Corporation.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed on this 25th day of June, 2021.
FORUM MERGER III CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ David Boris | |
Name: | David Boris | |
Title: | Co-Chief Executive Officer and | |
Chief Financial Officer |
[Signature page to Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation]
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Exhibit 3.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED
OF
ELECTRIC LAST MILE SOLUTIONS, INC.
(THE “CORPORATION”)
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Section 1.1. Registered Office. The registered office of Electric Last Mile Solutions, Inc. (the “Corporation”) within the State of Delaware shall be located at either (a) the principal place of business of the Corporation in the State of Delaware or (b) the office of the Corporation or individual acting as the Corporation’s registered agent in Delaware.
Section 1.2. Additional Offices. The Corporation may, in addition to its registered office in the State of Delaware, have such other offices and places of business, both within and outside the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may from time to time determine or as the business and affairs of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS
Section 2.1. Annual Meetings. The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a). At each annual meeting, the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters shall elect those directors of the Corporation to fill any term of a directorship that expires on the date of such annual meeting and may transact any other business as may properly be brought before the meeting in accordance with these Bylaws.
Section 2.2. Special Meetings. Subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding series of the preferred stock of the Corporation (“Preferred Stock”), and to the requirements of applicable law, special meetings of stockholders, for any purpose or purposes, may be called only by the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, or the Board pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Board, and may not be called by any other person. Special meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, and at such time and on such date as shall be determined by the Board and stated in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting, provided that the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5(a).
Section 2.3. Notices. Notice of each stockholders meeting stating the place, if any, date, and time of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting and the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, shall be given in the manner permitted by Section 9.3 to each stockholder entitled to vote thereat as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, by the Corporation not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting unless otherwise required by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). If said notice is for a stockholder meeting other than an annual meeting, it shall in addition state the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, and the business transacted at such meeting shall be limited to the matters so stated in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto). Notices of meetings to stockholders may be given by mailing the same, addressed to the stockholder entitled thereto, at such stockholder’s mailing address as it appears on the records of the Corporation and such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid. Without limiting the manner by which notices of meetings otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any such notice may be given by electronic transmission in accordance with applicable law. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any stockholder who shall, either before or after the meeting, submit a waiver of notice or who shall attend such meeting, except when the stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of the meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of the meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given. Any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be postponed, and any meeting of stockholders as to which notice has been given may be cancelled, by the Board upon Public Disclosure (as defined in Section 2.7(a)(ii)) given before the date previously scheduled for such meeting.
Section 2.4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or these Bylaws, the presence, in person or by proxy, at a stockholders meeting of the holders of shares of outstanding capital stock of the Corporation representing a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at such meeting, except that when specified business is to be voted on by a class or series of stock voting as a class, the holders of shares representing a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series shall constitute a quorum of such class or series for the transaction of such business. If a quorum shall not be present or represented by proxy at any meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation, the chair of the meeting may adjourn the meeting from time to time in the manner provided in Section 2.6 until a quorum shall attend. The stockholders present at a duly convened meeting may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum.
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Section 2.5. Voting of Shares.
(a) Voting Lists. The Secretary of the Corporation (the “Secretary”) shall prepare, or shall cause the officer or agent who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation to prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders of record entitled to vote at such meeting; provided, however, that if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the 10th day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address and the number and class of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section 2.5(a) shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If a meeting of stockholders is to be held solely by means of remote communication as permitted by Section 9.5(a), the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting, as provided by applicable law, on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of meeting. Except as provided by applicable law, the stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the list required by this Section 2.5(a) or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
(b) Manner of Voting. At any stockholders meeting, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy. If authorized by the Board, the voting by stockholders or proxy holders at any meeting conducted by remote communication may be effected by a ballot submitted by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 9.3(c)), provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which the Corporation can determine that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder or proxy holder. The Board, in its discretion, or the chair of the meeting of stockholders, in such person’s discretion, may require that any votes cast at such meeting shall be cast by written ballot.
(c) Proxies. Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Proxies need not be filed with the Secretary until the meeting is called to order, but shall be filed with the Secretary before being voted or the delivery of a consent action in writing to the Corporation pursuant to Section 2.9. Without limiting the manner in which a stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy, either of the following shall constitute a valid means by which a stockholder may grant such authority. No stockholder shall have cumulative voting rights.
(i) A stockholder may execute a writing authorizing another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy. Execution may be accomplished by the stockholder or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent signing such writing or causing such person’s signature to be affixed to such writing by any reasonable means, including, but not limited to, by facsimile signature.
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(ii) A stockholder may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder as proxy by transmitting or authorizing the transmission of an electronic transmission to the person who will be the holder of the proxy or to a proxy solicitation firm, proxy support service organization or like agent duly authorized by the person who will be the holder of the proxy to receive such transmission, provided that any such electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder. Any copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission authorizing another person or persons to act as proxy for a stockholder may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy, facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
(d) Required Vote. Subject to the rights of the holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors pursuant to the terms of one or more series of Preferred Stock, at all meetings of stockholders at which a quorum is present, the election of directors shall be determined by a plurality of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon. All other matters presented to the stockholders at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by the vote of a majority of the votes cast by the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote thereon, unless the matter is one upon which, by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable stock exchange rules, a different vote is required, in which case such provision shall govern and control the decision of such matter.
(e) Inspectors of Election. In advance of any meeting of the stockholders, the Board shall appoint one or more inspectors, who may be employees of the Corporation, to act at the meeting or any adjournment thereof and to make a written report thereof. The Board may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting, the person presiding at the meeting shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of his or her ability. The inspector or inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspector or inspectors in the performance of their duties. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots cast at any meeting of stockholders, the inspector or inspectors may consider such information as is permitted by applicable law. No person who is a candidate for office at an election may serve as an inspector at such election. When executing the duties of inspector, the inspector or inspectors shall: (i) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (ii) determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; (iii) count all votes and ballots; (iv) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and (v) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting and their count of all votes and ballots.
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Section 2.6. Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders, annual or special, may be adjourned by the chair of the meeting, from time to time, whether or not there is a quorum, to reconvene at the same or some other place, if any. Notice need not be given of any such adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the stockholders, or the holders of any class or series of stock entitled to vote separately as a class, as the case may be, may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 9.2, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.
Section 2.7. Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals.
(a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) At a meeting of the stockholders, only such nominations of persons for the election of directors and such other business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, nominations or such other business must be: (A) made pursuant to the Director Nomination Agreement, dated as of June 25, 2021 (as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Nomination Agreement”); (B) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof; (C) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof; or (D) otherwise properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record of the Corporation at the time such notice of meeting is delivered, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7.
(ii) In addition, any proposal of business (other than the nomination of persons for election to the Board) must be a proper matter for stockholder action. For business (including, but not limited to, director nominations) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(i)(D), the stockholder or stockholders of record intending to propose the business (the “Proposing Stockholder”) must have given timely notice thereof pursuant to this Section 2.7(a), in writing to the Secretary even if such matter is already the subject of any notice to the stockholders or Public Disclosure from the Board. To be timely, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice for an annual meeting must be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation: (x) not later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day, in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting if such meeting is to be held on a day which is not more than 30 days in advance of the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting or not later than 60 days after the anniversary of the previous year’s annual meeting; and (y) with respect to any other annual meeting of stockholders, including in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year, not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of: (1) the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and (2) the close of business on the 10th day following the first date of Public Disclosure of the date of such meeting. In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new notice time period (or extend any notice time period). For the purposes of this Section 2.7, “Public Disclosure” shall mean a disclosure made in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Services, The Associated Press, or a comparable national news service or in a document filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
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(b) Stockholder Nominations. For the nomination of any person or persons for election to the Board pursuant to Section 2.7(a)(i)(D) or Section 2.7(d), a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth or include: (i) the name, age, business address, and residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice; (ii) the principal occupation or employment of each such nominee; (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are owned of record and beneficially by each such nominee (if any); (iv) such other information concerning each such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved) or that is otherwise required to be disclosed, under Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act; (v) a written statement executed by each such nominee acknowledging that such person consents to being named in the Company’s proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected, and (vi) as to the Proposing Stockholder: (A) the name and address of the Proposing Stockholder as they appear on the Corporation’s books and of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, (B) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are owned by the Proposing Stockholder (beneficially and of record) and owned by the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made, as of the date of the Proposing Stockholder’s notice, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of the class and number of such shares owned of record and beneficially as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with respect to such nomination between or among the Proposing Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and any of their affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert with any of the foregoing, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (D) a description of any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into as of the date of the Proposing Stockholder’s notice by, or on behalf of, the Proposing Stockholder or the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and any of their affiliates or associates, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of such person or any of their affiliates or associates with respect to shares of stock of the Corporation, and a representation that the Proposing Stockholder will notify the Corporation in writing of any such agreement, arrangement, or understanding in effect as of the record date for the meeting within five business days after the record date for such meeting, (E) a representation that the Proposing Stockholder is a holder of record of shares of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, and (F) a representation whether the Proposing Stockholder intends to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve the nomination and/or otherwise to solicit proxies from stockholders in support of the nomination.
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The Corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee. Any such update or supplement shall be delivered to the Secretary at the Corporation’s principal executive offices no later than five business days after the request by the Corporation for subsequent information has been delivered to the Proposing Stockholder.
(c) Other Stockholder Proposals. For all business other than director nominations, a Proposing Stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the Proposing Stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting; (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting; (iii) the text of any proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment); (iv) any substantial interest (within the meaning of Item 5 of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act) in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act), if any, on whose behalf the business is being proposed; (v) any other information relating to such stockholder and beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with solicitations of proxies for the proposal and pursuant to and in accordance with Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (vi) a description of all agreements, arrangements, or understandings between or among such stockholder, the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is being made, any of their affiliates or associates, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business and any material interest of such stockholder, beneficial owner, or any of their affiliates or associates, in such business, including any anticipated benefit therefrom to such stockholder, beneficial owner, or their affiliates or associates; and (vii) the information required by Section 2.7(b)(vi) above.
(d) Special Meetings of Stockholders.
(i) Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting. Nominations of persons for election to the Board may be made at a special meeting of stockholders called by the Board at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting: (i) as provided in the Nomination Agreement, (ii) by or at the direction of the Board or any committee thereof, or (iii) provided that the Board has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time the notice provided for in this Section 2.7(d) is delivered to the Secretary, who is entitled to vote at the meeting, and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 2.7.
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(ii) In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board, any such stockholder entitled to vote in such election of directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if such stockholder delivers a stockholder’s notice that complies with the requirements of Section 2.7(b) to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of: (x) the 90th day prior to such special meeting; or (y) the 10th day following the date of the first Public Disclosure of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the Public Disclosure of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any notice time period).
(e) Effect of Noncompliance. Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7 shall be eligible to be elected at any meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to serve as directors and only such other business shall be conducted at a meeting as shall be brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.7. If any proposed nomination was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.7, or other business was not made or proposed in compliance with this Section 2.7, then except as otherwise required by law, the chair of the meeting shall have the power and duty to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded or that such proposed other business shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, unless otherwise required by law, if a Proposing Stockholder intending to propose business or make nominations at an annual meeting or propose a nomination at a special meeting pursuant to this Section 2.7 does not provide the information required under this Section 2.7 to the Corporation, including the updated information required by Section 2.7(b)(vi)(B), Section 2.7(b)(vi)(C), and Section 2.7(b)(vi)(D) within five business days after the record date for such meeting or the Proposing Stockholder (or a qualified representative of the Proposing Stockholder) does not appear at the meeting to present the proposed business or nominations, such business or nominations shall not be considered, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such business or nominations may have been received by the Corporation.
(f) Rule 14a-8. This Section 2.7 shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of the stockholder’s intention to present the proposal at an annual or special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such meeting.
(g) In addition to the provisions of this Section 2.7, a stockholder shall also comply with all of the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth herein. Nothing in this Section 2.7 shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.
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(h) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.7 to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors in an Expiring Class is increased and there is no Public Disclosure of the appointment of a director to such class, or, if no appointment was made, of the vacancy in such class, made by the Corporation at least 10 days before the last day a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination in accordance with Section 2.7, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.7 and which complies with the requirements in Section 2.7(b), other than the timing requirements in Section 2.7(a), shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions in such Expiring Class created by such increase, if it is received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such Public Disclosure is first made by the Corporation. For purposes of this section, an “Expiring Class” means a class of directors whose term shall expire at the next annual meeting of stockholders.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.7, for as long as the Nomination Agreement remains in effect, Forum Investors III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company shall not be subject to the notice procedures set forth in Section 2.7(a)(ii), Section 2.7(b)(ii) or Section 2.7(h) with respect to any annual or special meeting of stockholders.
Section 2.8. Conduct of Meetings. The chair of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Chair of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, such other person as shall be appointed by the Board. The date and time of the opening and the closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at a meeting shall be announced at the meeting by the chair of the meeting. The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of the meeting of stockholders as it shall deem appropriate. Except to the extent inconsistent with these Bylaws or such rules and regulations as adopted by the Board, the chair of any meeting of stockholders shall have the right and authority to convene and to adjourn the meeting, to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chair, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. Such rules, regulations or procedures, whether adopted by the Board or prescribed by the chair of the meeting, may include, without limitation, the following:
(a) the establishment of an agenda or order of business for the meeting;
(b) the determination of when the polls shall open and close for any given matter to be voted on at the meeting;
(c) rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present;
(d) limitations on attendance at or participation in the meeting to stockholders of record of the Corporation, their duly authorized and constituted proxies or such other persons as the chair of the meeting shall determine;
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(e) restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof; and
(f) limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board or the chair of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.
The secretary of each annual and special meeting of stockholders shall be the Secretary or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary so appointed to act by the chair of the meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
Section 2.9. Action by Stockholders Without a Meeting. Subject to the following paragraph, any action that is properly brought before the stockholders by or at the direction of the Board and that could be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall (a) be signed by the holders of outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to be voted with respect to the subject matter thereof having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted (as determined in accordance with Section 9.4 hereof) and (b) be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the records of proceedings of meetings of stockholders. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified mail or registered mail, return receipt requested. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless written consents signed by the requisite number of stockholders entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof are delivered to the Corporation, in the manner required by this Section 2.9, within 60 (or the maximum number permitted by applicable law) days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation in the manner required by this Section 2.9. The validity of any consent executed by a proxy for a stockholder pursuant to an electronic transmission transmitted to such proxy holder by or upon the authorization of the stockholder shall be determined by or at the direction of the Secretary. A written record of the information upon which the person making such determination relied shall be made and kept in the records of the proceedings of the stockholders. Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Any such consent shall be inserted in the minute book as if it were the minutes of a meeting of the stockholders.
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ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 3.1. Powers; Number. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board, which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things, including, without limitation, adopting rules and procedures as it may deem proper for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Corporation, as are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these Bylaws required to be exercised or done by the stockholders. Directors need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware. The authorized number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 3.2. Classes of Directors.
(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, following the adoption of these Bylaws, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. The Board is authorized to assign members of the Board already in office to such classes at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the adoption of these Bylaws, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the adoption of these Bylaws, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the adoption of these Bylaws, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.2, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3.3. Vacancies. Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock or as otherwise provided by applicable law or in the Nomination Agreement, any vacancies on the Board resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders, provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Nomination Agreement, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected, and not by the stockholders. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.
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Section 3.4. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. Such resignation shall take effect at the date of receipt of such notice by the Corporation or at such later effective date or upon the happening of an event or events as is therein specified. A verbal resignation shall not be deemed effective until confirmed by the director in writing or by electronic transmission to the Corporation. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the director whose place shall be vacated and until his successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
Section 3.5. Removal. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors. Directors shall not be removed without cause pursuant to this Section 3.5.
Section 3.6. Compensation. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the Board shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors, including for service on a committee of the Board, and may be paid either a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board or other compensation as director. The directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting of the Board. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members of committees of the Board may be allowed like compensation and reimbursement of expenses for service on the committee.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD MEETINGS
Section 4.1. Regular Meetings. Regularly scheduled, periodic meetings of the Board may be held without notice at such times, dates and places, within or without the State of Delaware, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board.
Section 4.2. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board (a) may be called by the Chair of the Board or President and (b) shall be called by the Chair of the Board, President or Secretary on the written request of at least a majority of directors then in office, or the sole director, as the case may be, and shall be held at such time, date and place, within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined by the person calling the meeting or, if called upon the request of directors or the sole director, as specified in such written request. Notice of each special meeting of the Board shall be given, as provided in Section 9.3, to each director (i) at least 24 hours before the meeting if such notice is oral notice given personally or by telephone or written notice given by hand delivery or by means of a form of electronic transmission and delivery; (ii) at least two days before the meeting if such notice is sent by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service; and (iii) at least three days before the meeting if such notice is sent through the United States mail. If the Secretary shall fail or refuse to give such notice, then the notice may be given by the officer who called the meeting or the directors who requested the meeting. Any and all business that may be transacted at a regular meeting of the Board may be transacted at a special meeting. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any special meeting need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting. A special meeting may be held at any time without notice if all the directors are present or if those not present waive notice of the meeting in accordance with Section 9.4.
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Section 4.3. Quorum; Required Vote. A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, and the act of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
Section 4.4. Consent In Lieu of Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions (or paper reproductions thereof) are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
Section 4.5. Organization. The chair of each meeting of the Board shall be the Chair of the Board or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) or, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Executive Officer or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director, the President (if he or she shall be a director) or in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President or if the President is not a director, a chair elected from the directors present. The Secretary shall act as secretary of all meetings of the Board. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary shall perform the duties of the Secretary at such meeting. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary and all Assistant Secretaries, the chair of the meeting may appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS
Section 5.1. Establishment. The Board may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board when required by the resolution designating such committee. The Board shall have the power at any time to fill vacancies in, to change the membership of, or to dissolve any such committee.
Section 5.2. Available Powers. Any committee established pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof, to the extent permitted by applicable law and by resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise all of the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it.
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Section 5.3. Alternate Members. The Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of the committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such absent or disqualified member.
Section 5.4. Procedures. Unless the Board otherwise provides, the time, date, place, if any, and notice of meetings of a committee shall be determined by such committee. At meetings of a committee, a majority of the number of members of the committee (but not including any alternate member, unless such alternate member has replaced any absent or disqualified member at the time of, or in connection with, such meeting) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The act of a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or the Board. If a quorum is not present at a meeting of a committee, the members present may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present. Unless the Board otherwise provides and except as provided in these Bylaws, each committee designated by the Board may make, alter, amend and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the absence of such rules each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the Board is authorized to conduct its business pursuant to Article III and Article IV of these Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI
OFFICERS
Section 6.1. Officers. The officers of the Corporation elected by the Board shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Secretary and such other officers (including without limitation, a Chair of the Board, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Assistant Secretaries and a Treasurer) as the Board from time to time may determine. Officers elected by the Board shall each have such powers and duties as generally pertain to their respective offices, subject to the specific provisions of this Article VI. Such officers shall also have such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board. The Chief Executive Officer or President may also appoint such other officers (including without limitation one or more Vice Presidents and Controllers) as may be necessary or desirable for the conduct of the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall have such powers and duties and shall hold their offices for such terms as may be provided in these Bylaws or as may be prescribed by the Board or, if such officer has been appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as may be prescribed by the appointing officer.
(a) Chair of the Board. The Chair of the Board shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The Chair of the Board shall have general supervision and control of the acquisition activities of the Corporation subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The powers and duties of the Chair of the Board shall not include supervision or control of the preparation of the financial statements of the Corporation (other than through participation as a member of the Board). The position of Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.
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(b) Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation and general control of all of its business subject to the ultimate authority of the Board, and shall be responsible for the execution of the policies of the Board with respect to such matters, except to the extent any such powers and duties have been prescribed to the Chair of the Board pursuant to Section 6.1(a) above. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The position of Chief Executive Officer and President may be held by the same person.
(c) President. The President shall make recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer on all operational matters that would normally be reserved for the final executive responsibility of the Chief Executive Officer. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, the President (if he or she shall be a director) shall preside when present at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board. The President shall also perform such duties and have such powers as shall be designated by the Board. The position of President and Chief Executive Officer may be held by the same person.
(d) Vice Presidents. In the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the President, the Vice President (or in the event there be more than one Vice President, the Vice Presidents in the order designated by the Board) shall perform the duties and have the powers of the President. Each Vice President of the Corporation shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her from time to time by the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or that are incident to the office of Vice President.
(e) Secretary.
(i) The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders, the Board and (as required) committees of the Board and shall record the proceedings of such meetings in books to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board, the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or President. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and the Secretary, or any Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument requiring it, and when so affixed, it may be attested by his or her signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing thereof by his or her signature.
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(ii) The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal executive office of the Corporation or at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, if one has been appointed, a stock ledger, or duplicate stock ledger, showing the names of the stockholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each and, with respect to certificated shares, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of certificates cancelled.
(f) Assistant Secretaries. The Assistant Secretary or, if there be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Secretary, perform the duties and have the powers of the Secretary.
(g) Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform all duties commonly incident to that office (including, without limitation, the care and custody of the funds and securities of the Corporation, which from time to time may come into the Chief Financial Officer’s hands and the deposit of the funds of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may authorize).
(h) Treasurer. The Treasurer shall, in the absence (or inability or refusal to act) of the Chief Financial Officer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chief Financial Officer. The Treasurer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President and the Chief Financial Officer (if not the Treasurer) shall designate from time to time.
Section 6.2. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board or to the Chief Executive Officer, or if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.
Section 6.3. Term of Office; Removal; Vacancies. The elected officers of the Corporation shall be appointed by the Board and shall hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified by the Board or until their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, or removal from office. Any officer may be removed, with or without cause, at any time by the majority vote of the members of the Board then in office. Any officer appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may also be removed, with or without cause, by the Chief Executive Officer or President, as the case may be, unless the Board otherwise provides. Any vacancy occurring in any elected office of the Corporation may be filled by the Board. Any vacancy occurring in any office appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or President may be filled by the Chief Executive Officer, or President, as the case may be, unless the Board then determines that such office shall thereupon be elected by the Board, in which case the Board shall elect such officer.
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Section 6.4. Other Officers; Duties of Officers May Be Delegated. Such other officers as the Board may choose shall perform such duties and have such powers as from time to time may be assigned to them by the Board. The Board may delegate to any other officer of the Corporation the power to choose such other officers and to prescribe their respective duties and powers. In case any officer is absent, or for any other reason that the Board may deem sufficient, the Chief Executive Officer or the President or the Board may delegate for the time being the powers or duties of such officer to any other officer or to any director.
Section 6.5. Multiple Officeholders; Stockholder and Director Officers. Any number of offices may be held by the same person unless the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws otherwise provide. Officers need not be stockholders or residents of the State of Delaware.
ARTICLE VII
SHARES
Section 7.1. Certificated and Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, subject to the sole discretion of the Board and the requirements of the DGCL.
Section 7.2. Multiple Classes of Stock. If the Corporation shall be authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, the Corporation shall (a) cause the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights to be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of any certificate that the Corporation issues to represent shares of such class or series of stock or (b) in the case of uncertificated shares, within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of such shares, send to the registered owner thereof a written notice containing the information required to be set forth on certificates as specified in clause (a) above; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided by applicable law, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of such certificate or, in the case of uncertificated shares, on such written notice a statement that the Corporation will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences or rights.
Section 7.3. Signatures. Each certificate representing capital stock of the Corporation shall be signed by or in the name of the Corporation by (a) the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, the President or a Vice President and (b) the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Corporation. Any or all the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar on the date of issue.
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Section 7.4. Consideration and Payment for Shares.
(a) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares of stock may be issued for such consideration, having in the case of shares with par value a value not less than the par value thereof, and to such persons, as determined from time to time by the Board. The consideration may consist of any tangible or intangible property or any benefit to the Corporation including cash, promissory notes, services performed, contracts for services to be performed or other securities, or any combination thereof.
(b) Subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation, shares may not be issued until the full amount of the consideration has been paid, unless upon the face or back of each certificate issued to represent any partly paid shares of capital stock or upon the books and records of the Corporation in the case of partly paid uncertificated shares, there shall have been set forth the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon up to and including the time said certificate representing certificated shares or said uncertificated shares are issued.
Section 7.5. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board or the Secretary may direct a new certificate or uncertificated shares to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the owner of the allegedly lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or uncertificated shares, the Board or the Secretary may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of the lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or the owner’s legal representative to give the Corporation a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.
Section 7.6. Transfer of Stock.
(a) If a certificate representing shares of the Corporation is presented to the Corporation with an endorsement requesting the registration of transfer of such shares or an instruction is presented to the Corporation requesting the registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation shall register the transfer as requested if:
(i) in the case of certificated shares, the certificate representing such shares has been surrendered;
(ii) (A) with respect to certificated shares, the endorsement is made by the person specified by the certificate as entitled to such shares; (B) with respect to uncertificated shares, an instruction is made by the registered owner of such uncertificated shares; or (C) with respect to certificated shares or uncertificated shares, the endorsement or instruction is made by any other appropriate person or by an agent who has actual authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person;
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(iii) the Corporation has received a guarantee of signature of the person signing such endorsement or instruction or such other reasonable assurance that the endorsement or instruction is genuine and authorized as the Corporation may request;
(iv) the transfer does not violate any restriction on transfer imposed by the Corporation that is enforceable in accordance with Section 7.8(a); and
(v) such other conditions for such transfer as shall be provided for under applicable law have been satisfied.
(b) Whenever any transfer of shares shall be made for collateral security and not absolutely, the Corporation shall so record such fact in the entry of transfer if, when the certificate for such shares is presented to the Corporation for transfer or, if such shares are uncertificated, when the instruction for registration of transfer thereof is presented to the Corporation, both the transferor and transferee request the Corporation to do so.
Section 7.7. Registered Stockholders. Before due presentment for registration of transfer of a certificate representing shares of the Corporation or of an instruction requesting registration of transfer of uncertificated shares, the Corporation may treat the registered owner as the person exclusively entitled to inspect for any proper purpose the stock ledger and the other books and records of the Corporation, vote such shares, receive dividends or notifications with respect to such shares and otherwise exercise all the rights and powers of the owner of such shares, except that a person who is the beneficial owner of such shares (if held in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person) may, upon providing documentary evidence of beneficial ownership of such shares and satisfying such other conditions as are provided under applicable law, may also so inspect the books and records of the Corporation.
Section 7.8. Effect of the Corporation’s Restriction on Transfer.
(a) A written restriction on the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, if permitted by the DGCL and noted conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares or, in the case of uncertificated shares, contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares, may be enforced against the holder of such shares or any successor or transferee of the holder including an executor, administrator, trustee, guardian or other fiduciary entrusted with like responsibility for the person or estate of the holder.
(b) A restriction imposed by the Corporation on the transfer or the registration of shares of the Corporation or on the amount of shares of the Corporation that may be owned by any person or group of persons, even if otherwise lawful, is ineffective against a person without actual knowledge of such restriction unless: (i) the shares are certificated and such restriction is noted conspicuously on the certificate; or (ii) the shares are uncertificated and such restriction was contained in a notice, offering circular or prospectus sent by the Corporation to the registered owner of such shares within a reasonable time prior to or after the issuance or transfer of such shares.
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Section 7.9. Regulations. The Board shall have power and authority to make such additional rules and regulations, subject to any applicable requirement of law, as the Board may deem necessary and appropriate with respect to the issue, transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock or certificates representing shares. The Board may appoint one or more transfer agents or registrars and may require for the validity thereof that certificates representing shares bear the signature of any transfer agent or registrar so appointed.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1. Right to Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended, the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she, or a person for whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or, while a director or officer of the Corporation, is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent, or in any other capacity while serving as a director, officer, employee or agent, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in connection with such proceeding; provided, however, that, with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify an Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such Indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board.
Section 8.2. Right to Advancement of Expenses. In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an Indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation to the fullest extent not prohibited by applicable law the expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in defending or otherwise participating in any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that an advancement of expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Corporation (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such Indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon the Corporation’s receipt of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or otherwise. Payment of such expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person, may be made by the Corporation, subject to such terms and conditions as the general counsel of the Corporation in his or her discretion deems appropriate.
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Section 8.3. Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights provided to any Indemnitee pursuant to this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right, which such Indemnitee may have or hereafter acquire under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, an agreement, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL.
Section 8.4. Insurance. The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of Corporation as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise, or nonprofit entity against any liability asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.
Section 8.5. Indemnification of Other Persons; Other Indemnification. This Article VIII shall not limit the right of the Corporation to the extent and in the manner authorized or permitted by law to indemnify and to advance expenses to persons other than Indemnitees. Without limiting the foregoing, the Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation and to any other person who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan, to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of Indemnitees under this Article VIII. The Corporation’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity.
Section 8.6. Amendments. Any amendment, repeal, or modification of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection hereunder of any person in respect of any act or omission occurring prior to the time of such repeal or modification.
Section 8.7. Certain Definitions. For purposes of this Article VIII, (a) references to “other enterprise” shall include any employee benefit plan; (b) references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; (c) references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service that imposes duties on, or involves services by, a person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and (d) a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interest of the Corporation” for purposes of Section 145 of the DGCL.
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Section 8.8. Contract Rights. The rights provided to Indemnitees pursuant to this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, agent or employee and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.
Section 8.9. Severability. If any provision or provisions of this Article VIII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Article VIII shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and (b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Article VIII (including, without limitation, each such portion of this Article VIII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or unenforceable.
ARTICLE IX
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1. Place of Meetings. If the place of any meeting of stockholders, the Board or committee of the Board for which notice is required under these Bylaws is not designated in the notice of such meeting, such meeting shall be held at the principal business office of the Corporation; provided, however, if the Board has, in its sole discretion, determined that a meeting shall not be held at any place, but instead shall be held by means of remote communication pursuant to Section 9.5 hereof, then such meeting shall not be held at any place.
Section 9.2. Fixing Record Dates.
(a) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board may fix a record date, which shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination. If no record date is fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.2(a) at the adjourned meeting.
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(b) For the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board, and which date shall not be more than 10 (or the maximum number permitted by applicable law) days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board. If no record date has been fixed by the Board, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board is required by Chapter 1 of the DGCL, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board and prior action by the Board is required by Chapter 1 of the DGCL, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution taking such prior action.
(c) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board adopts the resolution relating thereto.
Section 9.3. Means of Giving Notice.
(a) Notice to Directors. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any director, such notice shall be given either (i) in writing and sent by mail, or by a nationally recognized delivery service, (ii) by means of facsimile telecommunication or other form of electronic transmission, or (iii) by oral notice given personally or by telephone. A notice to a director will be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, orally, or by telephone, when actually received by the director, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the director at the director’s address appearing on the records of the Corporation, (iv) if sent by facsimile telecommunication, when sent to the facsimile transmission number for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, (v) if sent by electronic mail, when sent to the electronic mail address for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation, or (vi) if sent by any other form of electronic transmission, when sent to the address, location or number (as applicable) for such director appearing on the records of the Corporation.
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(b) Notice to Stockholders. Whenever under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws notice is required to be given to any stockholder, such notice may be given (i) in writing and sent either by hand delivery, through the United States mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service for next day delivery, or (ii) by means of a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder, to the extent permitted by, and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 232 of the DGCL. A notice to a stockholder shall be deemed given as follows: (i) if given by hand delivery, when actually received by the stockholder, (ii) if sent through the United States mail, when deposited in the United States mail, with postage and fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, (iii) if sent for next day delivery by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, when deposited with such service, with fees thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder at the stockholder’s address appearing on the stock ledger of the Corporation, and (iv) if given by a form of electronic transmission consented to by the stockholder to whom the notice is given and otherwise meeting the requirements set forth above, (A) if by facsimile transmission, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (B) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice, (C) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specified posting, upon the later of (1) such posting and (2) the giving of such separate notice, and (D) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent to receiving notice by means of electronic communication by giving written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any such consent shall be deemed revoked if (1) the Corporation is unable to deliver by electronic transmission two consecutive notices given by the Corporation in accordance with such consent and (2) such inability becomes known to the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or to the Corporation’s transfer agent, or other person responsible for the giving of notice; provided, however, the inadvertent failure to treat such inability as a revocation shall not invalidate any meeting or other action.
(c) Electronic Transmission. “Electronic transmission” means any form of communication, not directly involving the physical transmission of paper, that creates a record that may be retained, retrieved and reviewed by a recipient thereof, and that may be directly reproduced in paper form by such a recipient through an automated process, including but not limited to transmission by telex, facsimile telecommunication, electronic mail, telegram and cablegram.
(d) Notice to Stockholders Sharing Same Address. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively by the Corporation to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Corporation under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. A stockholder may revoke such stockholder’s consent by delivering written notice of such revocation to the Corporation. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Corporation within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Corporation of its intention to send such a single written notice shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice.
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(e) Exceptions to Notice Requirements. Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.
Whenever notice is required to be given by the Corporation, under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, to any stockholder to whom (1) notice of two consecutive annual meetings of stockholders and all notices of stockholder meetings or of the taking of action by written consent of stockholders without a meeting to such stockholder during the period between such two consecutive annual meetings, or (2) all, and at least two payments (if sent by first-class mail) of dividends or interest on securities during a 12-month period, have been mailed addressed to such stockholder at such stockholder’s address as shown on the records of the Corporation and have been returned undeliverable, the giving of such notice to such stockholder shall not be required. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to such stockholder shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. If any such stockholder shall deliver to the Corporation a written notice setting forth such stockholder’s then current address, the requirement that notice be given to such stockholder shall be reinstated. In the event that the action taken by the Corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate with the Secretary of State of Delaware, the certificate need not state that notice was not given to persons to whom notice was not required to be given pursuant to Section 230(b) of the DGCL. The exception in subsection (1) of the first sentence of this paragraph to the requirement that notice be given shall not be applicable to any notice returned as undeliverable if the notice was given by electronic transmission.
Section 9.4. Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice is required to be given under applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation, or these Bylaws, a written waiver of such notice, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to said notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to such required notice. All such waivers shall be kept with the books of the Corporation. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a person attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not lawfully called or convened.
Section 9.5. Meeting Attendance via Remote Communication Equipment.
(a) Stockholder Meetings. If authorized by the Board in its sole discretion, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication:
(i) participate in a meeting of stockholders; and
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(ii) be deemed present in person and vote at a meeting of stockholders, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (A) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (B) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and, if entitled to vote, to vote on matters submitted to the applicable stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (C) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such votes or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
(b) Board Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, members of the Board or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board or any committee thereof by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and be heard. Such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 9.6. Dividends. The Board may from time to time declare, and the Corporation may pay, dividends (payable in cash, property or shares of the Corporation’s capital stock) on the Corporation’s outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation.
Section 9.7. Reserves. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board shall think conducive to the interests of the Corporation, and the Board may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
Section 9.8. Contracts and Negotiable Instruments. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument may be executed and delivered in the name and on behalf of the Corporation by such officer or officers or other employee or employees of the Corporation as the Board may from time to time authorize. Such authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board may determine. The Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation. Subject to any restrictions imposed by the Board, the Chair of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or any Vice President may delegate powers to execute and deliver any contract, bond, deed, lease, mortgage or other instrument in the name and on behalf of the Corporation to other officers or employees of the Corporation under such person’s supervision and authority, it being understood, however, that any such delegation of power shall not relieve such officer of responsibility with respect to the exercise of such delegated power. All checks, notes, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money of the Corporation shall be signed, endorsed, or accepted in the name of the Corporation by such officer, officers, person, or persons as from time to time may be designated by the Board or by an officer or officers authorized by the Board to make such designation.
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Section 9.9. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by the Board.
Section 9.10. Seal. The Board may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be in such form as the Board determines. The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced, as may be prescribed by law or by the Board.
Section 9.11. Books and Records. The books and records of the Corporation may be kept within or outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may from time to time be designated by the Board. Any records administered by or on behalf of the Corporation in the regular course of its business, including its stock ledger, books of account, and minute books, may be maintained on any information storage device, method, or one or more electronic networks or databases (including one or more distributed electronic networks or databases); provided that the records so kept can be converted into clearly legible paper form within a reasonable time, and, with respect to the stock ledger, the records so kept comply with Section 224 of the DGCL. The Corporation shall so convert any records so kept upon the request of any person entitled to inspect such records pursuant to applicable law.
Section 9.12. Surety Bonds. Such officers, employees and agents of the Corporation (if any) as the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may direct, from time to time, shall be bonded for the faithful performance of their duties and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of their death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office, of all books, papers, vouchers, money and other property of whatever kind in their possession or under their control belonging to the Corporation, in such amounts and by such surety companies as the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or the Board may determine. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the Corporation and the bonds so furnished shall be in the custody of the Secretary.
Section 9.13. Securities of Other Corporations. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meeting, consents in writing and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chair of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President, any Vice President or any officers authorized by the Board. Any such officer, may, in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any corporation in which the Corporation may own securities, or to consent in writing, in the name of the Corporation as such holder, to any action by such corporation, and at any such meeting or with respect to any such consent shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and power incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed. The Board may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
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Section 9.14. Amendments. The Board shall have the power to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The affirmative vote of a majority of the Board shall be required to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws. The Bylaws also may be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders; provided, however, that in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation required by applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power (except as otherwise provided in Section 8.6) of all outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws.
Section 9.15. Exclusive Forum. Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware unless said court lacks subject matter jurisdiction in which case the Superior Court of the State of Delaware) shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (c) any action asserting a claim arising under any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (a) through (d) above, any claim (A) as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten days following such determination), (B) which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or (C) for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under federal securities laws, including the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 9.15 will not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. If any action the subject matter of which is within the scope of the preceding sentence is filed in a court other than a court located within the State of Delaware (a “Foreign Action”) in the name of any stockholder, then such stockholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located within the State of Delaware in connection with any action brought in any such court to enforce the preceding sentence and (ii) having service of process made upon such stockholder in any such action by service upon such stockholder’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such stockholder.
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Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into on June 25, 2021, by and among Forum Merger III Corporation (the “Company”), and the undersigned parties listed on the signature pages hereto (each, an “Investor” and, collectively, the “Investors”) and will be effective as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement (as defined below)).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Forum Investors III LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) is a party to a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Initial Agreement”), dated as of August 18, 2020, by and among the Sponsor, the Company, Jefferies LLC (“Jefferies”) and other signatories thereto, pursuant to which the Company provided the Sponsor and Jefferies with certain rights relating to the registration of certain securities of the Company, including the Founder Shares (as defined herein) and Private Placement Units (as defined herein);
WHEREAS, prior to the initial public offering (the “IPO”) of the Company, the Sponsor owned shares (the “Founder Shares”) of Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class B common stock”);
WHEREAS, the Founder Shares are convertible into shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Class A common stock”) on the terms provided in the Company’s second amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Pre-Merger COI”);
WHEREAS, the Sponsor and Jefferies purchased an aggregate of 741,250 units (“Private Placement Units”) consisting of one share of Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock (the “Private Placement Warrants”) in a private placement that was completed simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO;
WHEREAS, in connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a warrant agreement, dated as of August 18, 2020, pursuant to which the Company agreed to use its commercially reasaonable efforts to file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (together with the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time, the “Securities Act”), of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued to the public investors in the IPO (the “Public Warrant”) and the 247,082 shares of Class A common stock issuable under the Private Placement Warrants;
WHEREAS, reference is made to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among the Company, Electric Last Mile, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ELMS”), ELMS Merger Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”), and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Jason Luo, in the capacity as the initial Stockholder Representative thereto, dated December 10, 2020 (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Merger Sub will merge with and into ELMS, with ELMS continuing as the surviving corporation (the “Merger”);
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger and pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Documents, the Company, ELMS, the Sponsor, Jefferies LLC and the other signatories to the Initial Agreement have agreed to amend and restate the Initial Agreement in order to provide rights relating to the registration of shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the holders of equity interests of the Company or ELMS pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the other Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby;
WHEREAS, at the Effective Time, all shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into shares of Class A common stock in accordance with the Pre-Merger COI and the Merger Agreement;
WHEREAS, immediately following the conversion of the Class B common stock into Class A common stock, all shares of Class A common stock will be reclassified as shares of common stock of the Company, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Common Stock”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time, the Company will issue to the stockholders of ELMS (collectively, the “ELMS Holders”) and SF Motors, Inc. DBA SERES (“SERES”) shares of Common Stock, in the case of the ELMS Holders, as consideration in the Merger (together with any shares of Common Stock issued to the ELMS Holders after the Closing of the Merger pursuant to the Merger Agreement, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any shares of Adjustment Escrow Stock, the Earnout Shares and/or the 15 million shares reserved for issuance pursuant to Section 5.14 of the Merger Agreement, collectively, the “Merger Shares”);
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.5 of the Initial Agreement, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question (which majority interest must include Jefferies if such amendment or modification affects in any way the rights of Jefferies thereunder); and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend and restate the Initial Agreement in order to provide the Investors with certain rights relating to the registration of the Registrable Securities.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A. The Initial Agreement is hereby amended in its entirety and restated herein. Upon the execution of this Agreement, all provisions of, rights granted and covenants made in the Initial Agreement are hereby waived, released and superseded in their entirety and shall have no further force or effect, including, without limitation, all rights of first refusal and any notice period associated therewith otherwise applicable to the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
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SECTION 1
Definitions
1.1 Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
(b) “Affiliate” of any person or entity means any other person or entity that directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such first person or entity. As used in this definition, the term “control,” including the correlative terms “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means (i) the direct or indirect ownership of more than 50% of the voting rights of a person or entity or (ii) the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of securities or any equity or other ownership interest, by contract or otherwise).
(c) “Class A common stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(d) “Class B common stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(e) “Closing” means the closing of the transactions contemplated under the Merger Agreement.
(f) “Commission” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(g) “Common Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(h) “Company” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
(i) “DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended.
(j) “Dollars” or “$” means the currency of the United States of America.
(k) “ELMS” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(l) “ELMS Founders” means Jason Luo and James Taylor.
(m) “ELMS Holders” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(n) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
(o) “FINRA” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(q).
(p) “Founder Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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(q) “Holder” means an Investor who holds Registrable Securities (including their donees, pledgees, assignees, transferees and other successors) and any holder of Registrable Securities to whom the registration rights conferred by this Agreement have been duly and validly transferred in accordance with Section 2.11 or Section 2.13 of this Agreement.
(r) “Indemnified Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(c).
(s) “Indemnifying Party” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.7(c).
(t) “Initial Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(u) “Initiating Holders” means either (i) any Holder or Holders who, in the aggregate, hold not less than a majority of the Registrable Securities issued to the Sponsor or (ii) any Holder or Holders who, in the aggregate, hold not less than twenty percent (20%) of the Merger Shares that constitute Registrable Securities.
(v) “Investors” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.
(w) “IPO” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(x) “Merger” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(y) “Merger Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(z) “Merger Shares” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(aa) “Merger Sub” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(bb) “Other Selling Stockholders” means persons or entities other than Holders who, by virtue of agreements with the Company, are entitled to include their Other Shares in certain registrations hereunder.
(cc) “Other Shares” means securities of the Company, other than Registrable Securities (as defined below), with respect to which registration rights have been granted.
(dd) “Pre-Merger COI” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(ee) “Private Placement Units” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(ff) “Private Placement Warrants” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(gg) “Qualified Holder” means each Holder whose Registrable Securities have a market value of at least $5,000,000 based on the average closing price of the Common Stock for the ten (10) days ending on the trading day prior to the date on which notice is sent pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(i).
(hh) “Public Warrants” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
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(ii) The terms “register,” “registered” and “registration” shall refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of the effectiveness of such registration statement.
(jj) “Registrable Securities” means shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to the Investors pursuant to the Merger Agreement, including without limitation any (i) Merger Shares and (ii) Private Placement Warrants and shares of Common Stock (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Private Placement Warrants) held by the Sponsor or Jefferies immediately after the Closing of the Merger (including without limitation, giving effect to the conversion of shares of Class B common stock into Class A common stock and subsequent conversion into shares of Common Stock upon the closing of the Merger). Registrable Securities include any warrants, shares of capital stock or other securities of the Company issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to or in exchange for or in replacement of such shares of Common Stock (including shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Private Placement Warrants). As to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (a) a registration statement with respect to the sale of such securities has become effective under the Securities Act and such securities have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such registration statement; (b) such securities have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for them not bearing a legend restricting further transfer have been delivered by the Company and any subsequent sale, transfer or distribution of them does not require registration under the Securities Act; (c) such securities have ceased to be outstanding; or (d) such securities are freely saleable under Rule 144 without public information requirements or volume limitations.
(kk) “Registration Expenses” means all expenses incurred in effecting any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including, without limitation, all registration, qualification and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with FINRA, and any fees of the securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or quoted), printing expenses, escrow fees, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, two (2) counsels for the Holders, one selected by Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities initially issued to the Sponsor and one selected by Holders holding a majority of the Merger Shares that are Registrable Securities, up to a maximum of $50,000 total per counsel, blue sky fees and expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsels for the Holders in connection with blue sky compliance), and any fees and disbursements of accountants retained by the Company incident to or required by any such registration, but shall not include Selling Expenses, fees and disbursements of other counsel for the Holders and the compensation of regular employees of the Company, which shall be paid in any event by the Company.
(ll) “Representatives” means, with respect to any person, any of such person’s officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, consultants, equity financing partners or financial advisors or other person associated with, or acting on behalf of, such person.
(mm) “Resale Shelf Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
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(nn) “Restricted Securities” means any Registrable Securities that are required to bear a legend restricting transfer or are otherwise prohibited from being sold, transferred or distributed without registration under the Securities Act.
(oo) “Rule 144” means Rule 144 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission.
(pp) “Rule 145” means Rule 145 as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar successor rule that may be promulgated by the Commission
(qq) “SEC Guidance” means (i) any publicly-available written or oral guidance, or comments, requirements or requests of the Staff and (ii) the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.
(rr) “Securities Act” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(ss) “Selling Expenses” means all underwriting discounts, selling commissions and stock transfer taxes applicable to the sale of Registrable Securities and fees and disbursements of counsel for any Holder (other than the fees and disbursements of counsel to the Sponsor and to the Holders of Merger Shares included in Registration Expenses).
(tt) “SERES” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
(uu) “Staff” means the staff of the Division of Corporation Finance of the Commission.
(vv) “Suspension Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(f).
(ww) “Transfer” means the (a) sale of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).
(xx) “Underwritten Takedown” means an underwritten public offering of Registrable Securities pursuant to an effective registration statement.
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SECTION 2
Registration Rights
2.1 Registration
(a) Registration Requirements. The Company shall, not later than thirty (30) days after the Closing, prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-1, or Form S-3 if such registration statement form is available to the Company, and take all such other actions as are necessary to ensure that there is an effective “shelf” registration statement containing a prospectus that remains current covering (and to qualify under required U.S. state securities laws, if any) the offer and sale of all Registrable Securities by the Holders on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act (the registration statement, the “Resale Shelf Registration Statement”). The Company shall use reasonable best efforts to cause the Commission to declare the Resale Shelf Registration Statement effective as soon as possible thereafter, but in any event within three (3) days after the Commission advises the Company that it has completed its review of such registration statement, and to remain effective and the prospectus contained therein current until all Holders cease to hold Registrable Securities. The Resale Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for any method or combination of methods of resale of Registrable Securities legally available to, and requested by, the Holders, and shall comply with the relevant provisions of the Securities Act and Exchange Act.
(b) Request for Underwritten Takedowns. The Holders that qualify as Initiating Holders will be entitled to Underwritten Takedowns with respect to their Registrable Securities in accordance with this Section 2.1. If the Company shall receive from any Initiating Holder a written request signed by such Initiating Holder that the Company effect any Underwritten Takedown with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities (such request shall state the number of shares of Registrable Securities proposed to be disposed of by such Initiating Holder), the Company will:
(i) promptly, and in any event, within five (5) days after receiving such request, give written notice of the proposed Underwritten Takedown to all other Qualified Holders; and
(ii) as soon as practicable, use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Commission to declare such Underwritten Takedown effective within ninety (90) days thereafter (including, without limitation, filing post-effective amendments, one or more prospectus supplements, appropriate qualifications under any applicable blue sky or other state securities laws, and appropriate compliance with the Securities Act) and to permit and facilitate the sale and distribution in an underwritten offering of all or such portion of such Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request received by the Company within ten (10) days after such written notice from the Company is mailed or delivered.
(c) Limitations on Underwritten Takedowns. The Company shall not be obligated to effect any Underwritten Takedown pursuant to this Section 2.1:
(i) If the Initiating Holder, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such Underwritten Takedown, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any), the aggregate proceeds of which are anticipated to be less than $20,000,000;
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(ii) In any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification, or compliance, unless the Company is already subject to service in such jurisdiction and except as may be required by the Securities Act;
(iii) If the Company has effected two (2) such Underwritten Takedowns in any given twelve (12) month period;
(iv) If the Initiating Holder proposes to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be registered on Form S-3 pursuant to the request made pursuant to Section 2.2;
(v) If the Initiating Holder does not request that such offering be firmly underwritten by underwriters selected by the Initiating Holder (subject to the consent of the Company); or
(vi) If the Company and the Initiating Holder are unable to obtain the commitment of the underwriter described in clause (v) above to firmly underwrite the offer.
(d) Other Shares. Any Underwritten Takedown may, subject to the provisions of Section 2.1(f), include Other Shares, and may include securities of the Company being sold for the account of the Company, provided that, any Other Shares or securities of the Company to be included in an Underwritten Takedown must be the subject of an effective shelf registration statement at the time the Company receives the request for an Underwritten Takedown from the Initiating Holder.
(e) Underwriting; Cutback. If the Company requests inclusion in any Underwritten Takedown of securities to be sold for its own account, or if other persons request inclusion of Other Shares in any Underwritten Takedown, the Initiating Holder shall, on behalf of all Holders, offer to include such securities in the underwriting and such offer shall be conditioned upon the participation of the Company or such other persons in such underwriting and the inclusion of the Company’s and such other person’s securities of the Company and their acceptance of the applicable provisions of this Section 2. The Company shall (together with all Holders and other persons proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company, which underwriters are reasonably acceptable to a majority-in-interest of Holders that qualify as Initiating Holders. No Holder (or its permitted transferee or assignee under Section 2.11 or Section 2.13) shall be required to make any representations or warranties to, or agreements with, the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder’s (or such transferee’s or assignee’s) authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law.
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Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.1, if the underwriters, in good faith, advise the Initiating Holder in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of securities of the Company to be underwritten, the number of Registrable Securities and Other Shares that may be so included shall be allocated as follows: (i) first, among Initiating Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Takedown based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Initiating Holders (determined based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by each such Initiating Holder), provided that not less than 20% of the allocation in this clause (i) shall be for the Sponsor or its permitted transferees under Section 2.11 or Section 2.13; (ii) second, among all other Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Takedown based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Holders (determined based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by each such Holder); (iii) third, to the Company, which the Company may allocate, at its discretion, for its own account, or for the account of other Holders or employees of the Company, and (iv) fourth, to any Other Selling Stockholders requesting to include Other Shares in such Underwritten Takedown.
If a person who has requested inclusion in such Underwritten Takedown as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall be excluded therefrom by written notice to the Company, the underwriter or the Initiating Holders, and the securities so excluded shall also be withdrawn from the Underwritten Takedown. If securities are so withdrawn from the Underwritten Takedown and if the number of shares to be included in such Underwritten Takedown was previously reduced as a result of marketing factors pursuant to this Section 2.1(e), then the Company shall offer to all Holders who have retained rights to include securities in the Underwritten Takedown the right to include additional Registrable Securities in the offering in an aggregate amount equal to the number of shares so withdrawn, with such shares to be allocated among such Holders requesting additional inclusion, as set forth above.
(f) Deferral; Suspension. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Company furnishes to the Holders a certificate (the “Suspension Notice”) signed by an executive officer of the Company stating that, in the good faith judgment of the Company’s Board of Directors, effecting a registration (whether by the filing of a registration statement or by taking any other action) or the offering or disposition of Registrable Securities thereunder (including, for the avoidance of doubt, through an Underwritten Takedown) should be postponed or suspended because such registration, offering or disposal would (1) materially impede, delay or interfere with a pending material acquisition, corporate reorganization, or other similar transaction involving the Company; (2) require premature disclosure of material non-public information that the Company has a material bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential; or (3) render the Company unable to comply with requirements under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, then by delivery of the Suspension Notice to the Holders, then (in addition to the limitations set forth in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement) the Company may so postpone effecting a registration or require the Holders to refrain from offering or disposing of Registrable Securities for a period of not more than sixty (60) days, and, provided further, that the Company shall not suspend usage of a registration statement in this manner more than once in any twelve (12) month period.
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2.2 Company Registration
(a) Company Registration/Underwritten Offering. If the Company determines to (1) register any of its securities either for its own account or the account of Other Selling Stockholders (or a combination of the foregoing) during a period in which a Resale Shelf Registration Statement covering a Holder’s Registrable Securities is not then effective, other than: a registration pursuant to Section 2.1; a registration relating to the shares of Common Stock underlying the Public Warrants; a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans; a registration relating to the offer and sale of non-convertible debt securities; a registration relating to a corporate reorganization or other Rule 145 transaction; or a registration on any registration form that does not permit secondary sales, or (2) effect an underwritten public offering of securities, either for its own account or the account of Other Selling Stockholders (or a combination of the foregoing), the Company will:
(i) promptly give written notice (in any event not later than ten (10) days prior to the filing of the registration statement or preliminary prospectus to which such offering relates) of the proposed registration or offering, as applicable, to all Holders; and
(ii) use its reasonable best efforts to include in such registration or offering, as applicable, and any related qualification under blue sky laws or other compliance, except as set forth in Section 2.2(b), and in any underwriting involved therein, all of such Registrable Securities as are specified in a written request or requests made by any Holder or Holders received by the Company within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company. Such written request may specify all or a part of a Holder’s Registrable Securities; provided however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, only Qualified Holders shall be entitled to notice of and to participate in underwritten public offerings contemplated by clause (ii) of this Section 2.2(a).
(b) Underwriting; Cutback. If the registration or offering of which the Company gives notice is for an underwritten public offering, the Company shall so advise the Qualified Holders who have elected to participate (and include the names of the proposed underwriters) as a part of the written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a)(2)(i). All Qualified Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall (together with the Company and the Other Selling Stockholders with registration rights to participate therein) enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the representative of the underwriter or underwriters selected by the Company. No Qualified Holder (or its permitted transferee or assignee under Section 2.11 or Section 2.13) shall be required to make any representations or warranties to, or agreements with, the Company or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Qualified Holder’s (or such transferee’s or assignee’s) authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.2, if the underwriters in good faith advise the Company and the Qualified Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the offering in writing that marketing factors require a limitation on the number of shares to be underwritten, the underwriters may (subject to the limitations set forth below) limit the number of Registrable Securities to be included in the registration and underwriting. The Company shall so advise all holders of securities requesting registration, and the number of shares of securities that are entitled to be included in the registration and underwriting shall be allocated (1) if the underwritten offering is for the Company’s account, (m) first, to the Company; (n) second, to the Qualified Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such offering based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Qualified Holders (determined based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by each such Qualified Holder); and (o) third, to the Other Selling Stockholders, if any, requesting to include Other Shares in such underwritten offering pursuant to piggyback rights and (2) if the underwritten offering is for the account of Other Selling Stockholders, then (x) first, to the Other Selling Stockholders, (y) second, to the Qualified Holders requesting to include Registrable Securities in such offering based on the pro rata percentage of Registrable Securities held by such Qualified Holders (determined based on the aggregate number of Registrable Securities held by each such Qualified Holder); and (z) third, to the Company.
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If a person who has requested inclusion in such registration as provided above does not agree to the terms of any such underwriting, such person shall be excluded therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter. Any Registrable Securities or Other Shares excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from such registration. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses prior to any such withdrawal.
(c) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 prior to the effectiveness of such registration whether or not any Holder has elected to include securities in such registration.
(d) Limitations. The Company shall not be obligated to effect any registrations pursuant to this Section 2.2:
(i) After the Company has initiated five (5) such Underwritten Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.2 (counting for these purposes only (x) registrations in which Registrable Securities are not excluded or reduced pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and which have been declared or ordered effective and pursuant to which securities have been sold, and (y) withdrawn registrations);
(ii) If the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be registered on Form S-3 pursuant to the request made pursuant to Section 2.1;
(iii) If the Initiating Holders do not request that such offering be firmly underwritten by underwriters selected by such Initiating Holders (subject to the consent of the Company); or
(iv) If the Company and the Initiating Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of the underwriter described in clause (iii) above to firmly underwrite the offer.
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2.3 Expenses of Registration. All Registration Expenses incurred in connection with registrations pursuant to this Section 2 shall be borne by the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay for any expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.2 if the registration request is subsequently withdrawn at the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities to be registered or because a sufficient number of Holders shall have withdrawn so that the minimum offering conditions set forth in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 are no longer satisfied (in which case all participating Holders shall bear such expenses pro rata among each other based on the number of Registrable Securities requested to be so registered), unless the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to forfeit their right to a demand registration pursuant to Section 2.1; provided, however, if a withdrawal by the Holders is based upon material adverse information relating to the Company that is different from the information known or available (upon request from the Company or otherwise) to the Holders requesting registration at the time of their request for registration under Section 2.1, such registration shall not be treated as a counted registration for purposes of Section 2.1, even though the Holders do not bear the Registration Expenses for such registration. All Selling Expenses relating to securities registered on behalf of the Holders and the holders of any Other Shares shall be borne by the Holders and any holders of any Other Shares included in such registration pro rata among each other on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities and Other Shares, respectively, registered on their behalf.
2.4 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2, the Company will keep each Holder advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration and as to the completion thereof. At its sole expense, the Company will:
(a) Prepare each registration statement, including all exhibits and financial statements required under the Securities Act to be filed therewith, and before filing such registration statement, any prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, furnish to the Holders of the Registrable Securities copies of all documents prepared to be filed, which documents shall be subject to the review of such Holders and their respective counsel;
(b) As soon as reasonably practicable, file with the Commission the registration statement relating to the Registrable Securities, including all exhibits and financial statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith, and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such registration statement(s) to become effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable;
(c) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, post-effective amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be requested by the Holders or any underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be necessary to keep such registration statement effective and to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;
(d) Notify the participating Holders of Registrable Securities, and confirm such notice in writing and provide copies of the relevant documents, as soon as reasonably practicable after notice thereof is received by the Company (a) when the applicable registration statement or any amendment thereto has been filed or becomes effective, and when the applicable prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such prospectus has been filed, (b) of any written comments by the Commission or any request by the Commission or any other federal or state governmental authority for amendments or supplements to such registration statement, prospectus or for additional information (whether before or after the effective date of the registration statement), (c) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any order by the Commission or any other regulatory authority preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary or final prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for such purposes, and (d) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of any Registrable Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose;
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(e) Furnish such number of prospectuses, including any preliminary prospectuses, and other documents incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to the prospectus, as a Holder (or its counsel) from time to time may reasonably request;
(f) Register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or when it is not then otherwise subject to service of process;
(g) Notify each seller of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or incomplete in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, and following such notification promptly prepare and file a post-effective amendment to such registration statement or a supplement to the related prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required document that would be incorporated by reference into such registration statement and prospectus, so that such registration statement does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and that such prospectus does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and, in the case of a post-effective amendment to a registration statement, use reasonable best efforts to cause it to be declared effective as promptly as is reasonably practicable, and give to the Holders listed as selling security holders in such prospectus a written notice of such amendment or supplement, and, upon receipt of such notice, each such Holder agrees not to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement until such Holder’s receipt of copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus or until it receives further written notice from the Company that such sales may re-commence;
(h) Use its reasonable best efforts to prevent, or obtain the withdrawal of, any order suspending the effectiveness of any registration statement (and promptly notify in writing each Holder covered by such registration statement of the withdrawal of any such order);
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(i) Provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all Registrable Securities registered pursuant to such registration statement and a CUSIP number for all such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of such registration;
(j) if requested, cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates or establishment of book entry notations representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends, including without limitation, procuring and delivering any opinions of counsel, certificates, or agreements as may be necessary to cause such Registrable Securities to be so delivered;
(k) Cause all such Registrable Securities registered hereunder to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(l) In connection with any underwritten offering pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1 or 2.2, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement in form reasonably necessary to effect the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities subject to such underwriting, provided, that such underwriting agreement contains reasonable and customary provisions;
(m) Furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement a signed counterpart, addressed to such Holder, of (1) any opinion of counsel to the Company delivered to any underwriter dated the effective date of the registration statement or, in the event of an underwritten offering, the date of the closing under the applicable underwriting agreement, in customary form, scope, and substance, at a minimum to the effect that the registration statement has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect, which counsel and opinions shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Holders and their respective counsel and (2) any comfort letter from the Company’s independent public accountants delivered to any underwriter in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters as the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request. If no legal opinion is delivered to any underwriter, the Company shall furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities included in such registration statement, at any time that such Holder elects to use a prospectus, an opinion of counsel to the Company to the effect that the registration statement containing such prospectus has been declared effective and that no stop order is in effect and any other matters as the Holders or underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included;
(n) Promptly identify to the selling Holders any underwriter(s) participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney or accountant or other agent retained by any such underwriter or selected by the selling Holders, make available for inspection by the selling Holders all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents, and properties of the Company, and cause the Company’s officers, directors, employees, and independent accountants to supply all information reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant, or agent, in each case, as necessary or advisable to verify the accuracy of the information in such registration statement and to conduct appropriate due diligence in connection therewith;
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(o) Reasonably cooperate, and cause each of its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and all other officers and members of the management to fully cooperate in any offering of Registrable Securities hereunder, which cooperation shall include, without limitation, assisting with the preparation of any registration statement or amendment thereto with respect to such offering and all other offering materials and related documents, and participation in meetings with underwriters, attorneys, accountants and potential stockholders;
(p) Otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its stockholders an earnings statement (in a form that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto) no later than thirty (30) days after the end of the 12-month period beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full fiscal quarter after the effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall cover said 12-month period, and which requirement will be deemed to be satisfied if the Company timely files complete and accurate information on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K under the Exchange Act and otherwise complies with Rule 158 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto;
(q) Reasonably cooperate with each Holder and each underwriter or agent, if any, participating in the disposition of such Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), and use its reasonable best efforts to make or cause to be made any filings required to be made by an issuer with FINRA in connection with the filing of any registration statement;
(r) In the event of any underwritten public offering of Registrable Securities, cause senior executive officers of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the managing underwriter in any such underwritten offering and otherwise to facilitate, cooperate with, and participate in each proposed offering contemplated herein and customary selling efforts related thereto;
(s) Take all reasonable action to ensure that any “free writing prospectus” (as defined in the Securities Act) utilized in connection with any registration of Registrable Securities complies in all material respects with the Securities Act, is filed in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby, is retained in accordance with the Securities Act to the extent required thereby and, when taken together with the related prospectus, will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and
(t) Take all such other reasonable actions as are necessary or advisable in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.
2.5 Price and Underwriting Discounts. In the case of an underwritten offering requested by Holders pursuant to Section 2.1, the price, underwriting discount and other financial terms of the related underwriting agreement for the Registrable Securities shall be determined by the participating Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities. In the case of any underwritten offering pursuant to Section 2.2, such price, discount and other terms shall be determined by the Company, subject to the right of the Holders to withdraw their request to participate in the registration pursuant to Section 2.2 after being advised of such price, discount and other terms.
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2.6 “Market Stand-Off” Agreement. The Holders shall not sell, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to, any Common Stock (or other securities of the Company) held by the Holders (other than those included in the registration) for a period specified by the representatives of the managing underwriter or underwriters of Common Stock (or other securities of the Company convertible into Common Stock) not to exceed five (5) days prior and ninety (90) days following any Underwritten Takedown. Each of the Holders that is a director or officer of the Company or that owns more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s Common Stock also shall execute and deliver any “lock-up” agreement reasonably requested by the managing underwriter of such Underwritten Takedown, but only to the extent as is required generally of any executive officers, directors or five percent (5%) or greater stockholder by such managing underwriter.
2.7 Indemnification.
(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, and each shareholder, member, limited or general partner thereof, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of each such shareholder, member, limited or general partner, each of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, advisors, and agents and each Person who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act) such Persons and each of their respective Representatives, and each underwriter, if any, and each person or entity who controls within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act any underwriter, against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, claims, judgments, suits, costs, penalties, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions, proceedings or settlements in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any prospectus, offering circular or other document (including any related registration statement, notification or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification or compliance, (ii) any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation (or alleged violation) by the Company of the Securities Act, Exchange Act, any state securities laws or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Company and relating to action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any offering covered by such registration, qualification or compliance, and the Company will reimburse each Holder, and each shareholder, member, limited or general partner thereof, each shareholder, member, limited or general partner of each such shareholder, member, limited or general partner, each of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, advisors, and agents and each Person who controls such persons and each of their respective Representatives, and each underwriter, if any, and each person or entity who controls any underwriter, for any legal and any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling any such claim, judgment, suit, penalty, loss, damage, liability or action; provided that the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such claim, judgment, suit, penalty loss, damage, liability, or action arises out of or is based on any untrue statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by such Holder, any of such Holder’s Representatives, any person or entity controlling such Holder, such underwriter or any person or entity who controls any such underwriter, and stated to be specifically for use therein; provided, further that, the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.7(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). This indemnity shall be in addition to any liability the Company may otherwise have. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Holder or any indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Holder.
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(b) To the extent permitted by law, each selling Holder, severally and not jointly, will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration, qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, officers, employees, partners, legal counsel and accountants and each underwriter, if any, of the Company’s securities covered by such a registration statement, each person or entity who controls the Company or such underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, each other such Holder, and each of their officers, directors and partners, and each person or entity controlling each other such Holder, and each of their respective Representatives, against all claims, judgments, penalties losses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of or based on: (i) any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any prospectus, offering circular or other document (including any related registration statement, notification, or the like) incident to any such registration, qualification or compliance made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration, (ii) any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing by or on behalf of such selling Holder expressly for use in connection with such registration, or (iii) any violation (or alleged violation) by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities laws or any rule or regulation thereunder applicable to the Holder and relating to action or inaction required of the Holder in connection with any offering covered by such registration, qualification or compliance, and will reimburse the Company and such Holders, directors, officers, partners, legal counsel and accountants, persons, underwriters, or control persons for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or omission (i) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use therein and (ii) has not been corrected in a subsequent writing prior to or concurrently with the sale of the Registrable Securities to the person asserting the claim; provided, however, that the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided that in no event shall any indemnity under this Section 2.7 exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder.
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(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this Section 2.7 (the “Indemnified Party”) shall (i) give notice to the party required to provide indemnification (the “Indemnifying Party”) promptly after such Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be sought (provided, that any delay or failure to so notify the indemnifying party shall relieve the Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder only to the extent, if at all, that it is actually and materially prejudiced by reason of such delay or failure), and (ii) permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; provided that counsel for the Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such defense at such party’s expense unless (w) the Indemnifying Party has agreed in writing to pay such fees or expenses, (x) the Indemnifying Party has failed to assume the defense of such claim within a reasonable time after receipt of notice of such claim from the Indemnified Party hereunder and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, (y) the Indemnified Party has reasonably concluded (based upon advice of its counsel) that there may be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (z) in the reasonable judgment of any such person (based upon advice of its counsel) a conflict of interest may exist between such person and the Indemnifying Party with respect to such claims (in which case, if the person notifies the Indemnifying Party in writing that such Person elects to employ separate counsel at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the defense of such claim on behalf of such person). No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement that does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such information regarding itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with defense of such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense referred to herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such loss, liability, claim, damage, or expense as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. No Holder will be required under this Section 2.7(d) to contribute any amount in excess of the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder, except in the case of fraud or willful misconduct by such Holder. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) will be entitled to contribution from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 2.7 shall survive the completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration under this Section 2.7 and otherwise shall survive the termination of this Agreement until the expiration of the applicable period of the statute of limitations.
2.8 Information by Holder. Each Holder of Registrable Securities shall furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder and the distribution proposed by such Holder as the Company may reasonably request in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with any registration, qualification, or compliance referred to in this Section 2.
2.9 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Restricted Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to:
(a) Make and keep adequate current public information with respect to the Company available in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act; and
(c) So long as a Holder owns any Restricted Securities, furnish to the Holder forthwith upon written request a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, or that it qualifies as registrant whose securities may be resold pursuant to Form S-3 (at any time after the Company so qualifies), a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed as a Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing a Holder to sell any such securities without registration. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request to enable such Holder to sell from time to time shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144, including providing at the Company’s expense any legal opinions.
2.10 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not entered, as of the date hereof, nor shall the Company, on or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities or otherwise conflict with the provisions hereof. Unless the Company receives the consent of each of (i) the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities issued to the Sponsor and (ii) the Holders holding a majority of the Merger Shares that are Registrable Securities, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with respect to its securities, that would have the effect of impairing the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities or otherwise conflict with the provisions hereof.
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2.11 Transfer or Assignment of Rights. This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part. The rights granted to a Holder by the Company under this Section 2 may be transferred or assigned (but only with all related obligations) by a Holder only to a transferee of Registrable Securities; provided, that (x) such transfer or assignment of Registrable Securities is effected in accordance with applicable securities laws, (y) the Company is, within a reasonable time after such transfer, furnished with written notice of the name and address of such transferee and the Registrable Securities with respect to which such rights are being transferred and (z) such transferee agrees in a written instrument delivered to the Company to be bound by and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
2.12 Lock-up Period.
(a) The Sponsor agrees that it shall not Transfer Founder Shares (or shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof) held by the Sponsor until the date that is the earlier of (1) the twelve month anniversary of the Closing, (2) the last sale price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Merger and (3) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property. Each of Sponsor and Jefferies agree that they shall not Transfer Private Placement Units (or any securities underlying the Private Placement Units, including the shares of Common Stock and Private Placement Warrants included in the Private Placement Units and the shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants), until 30 days after the Closing. This Section 2.12(a) shall supersede and replace the transfer restrictions in the Letter Agreement, dated August 18, 2020, among the Company, Forum Capital Management III LLC and certain directors and officers of the Company.
(b) The Holders of Merger Shares agree that they shall not Transfer any of the Merger Shares held by the Holders until the date that is the six month anniversary of the Closing; provided, that, each of the ELMS Founders and SERES agree that they shall not Transfer (i) any of the Merger Shares held by them until the date that is the twelve month anniversary of the Closing and (ii) 50% of the Merger Shares held by them until the date that is the 24 month anniversary of the Closing.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b), Transfers of the Founder Shares, Merger Shares and shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Founder Shares that are held by the Sponsor, any Holder of Merger Shares or any of their permitted transferees (that have complied with this Section 2.12(c)), are permitted (a) to the Company’s officers or directors, any affiliate or family member of any of the Company’s officers or directors, any members of the Sponsor, any affiliate of the Sponsor or any member of the managing member of the Sponsor; (b) in the case of a Holder that is an entity, to the equityholders of such Holder; (c) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of such individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of such individual’s immediate family, an affiliate of such individual or to a charitable organization; (d) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of such individual; (e) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order; (f) by private sales or transfers made in connection with the consummation of the Merger at prices no greater than the price at which the securities were originally purchased; (g) in the event of the Company’s liquidation prior to the completion of the Merger; (h) by virtue of the laws of the State of Delaware or the Sponsor’s limited liability company agreement upon dissolution of the Sponsor; or (i) in the event of the Company’s liquidation, merger, capital stock exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Company’s completion of the Merger; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (a) through (f) or (h), these permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement with the Company agreeing to be bound by the transfer restrictions herein.
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2.13 Distributions; Direct Ownership.
(a) In the event that the Sponsor distributes all of its Registrable Securities to its members, including to the members of the managing member of the Sponsor, the members of the Sponsor or members of the managing member of the Sponsor, shall be treated as the Sponsor under this Agreement; provided that such members of the Sponsor or members of the managing member of the Sponsor, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred on the Sponsor, as if the Sponsor remained a single entity party to this Agreement.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the members of the Sponsor or members of the managing member of the Sponsor hold any Registrable Securities directly, the members of the Sponsor or members of the managing member of the Sponsor shall be treated as the Sponsor under this Agreement; provided that the members of the Sponsor or members of the managing member of the Sponsor, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred on the Sponsor, as if the Sponsor remained a single entity party to this Agreement.
(c) In the event that an Investor that holds Merger Shares distributes all of its Registrable Securities to its members, such distributees shall be treated as an Investor under this Agreement; provided that such distributees, taken as a whole, shall not be entitled to rights in excess of those conferred on an Investor, as if such Investor remained a single party to this Agreement.
(d) To the extent that a distribution for purposes of this Section 2.13 occurs prior to the conclusion of any applicable lock-up period pursuant to Section 2.12 applicable to the Sponsor or an Investor, distributees shall be be treated as the Sponsor or Investor, as the case may be, and be subject to any remaining period of the lock-up period applicable to the Sponsor or Investor, as the case may be.
SECTION 3
Miscellaneous
3.1 Amendment. Except as expressly provided herein, neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended, waived, discharged, or terminated other than by a written instrument referencing this Agreement and signed by (i) the Company, (ii) the Holders holding a majority of the Registrable Securities issued to the Sponsor and (iii) the Holders holding a majority of the Merger Shares that are Registrable Securities; provided, however, that if any amendment, waiver, discharge, or termination operates in a manner that treats any Holder different from other Holders, the consent of such Holder shall also be required for such amendment, waiver, discharge, or termination. Persons who become assignees or other transferees of Registrable Securities in accordance with this Agreement after the date of this Agreement may become parties hereto, by executing a counterpart of this Agreement without any amendment of this Agreement pursuant to this paragraph or any consent or approval of any other Holder. Any amendment, waiver, discharge, or termination effected in accordance with this paragraph shall be binding upon each Holder and each future holder of all such securities of such Holder.
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3.2 Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service at the following addresses:
(a) if to an Investor, to such Investor’s address or electronic mail address as shown on Exhibit A, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(b) if to any Holder other than an Investor, to such address or electronic mail address as shown in the Company’s records, or, until any such Holder so furnishes an address or electronic mail address to the Company, then to the address or electronic mail address of the last holder of such shares for which the Company has contact information in its records; or
(c) If to the Company:
Forum Merger III Corporation
1615 South Congress Avenue
Suite 103
Delray Beach, FL 33445
Attention: Marshall Kiev
David Boris
Email: mk@mkcapitalpartners.com
david@forummerger.com
Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five (5) days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if via electronic mail (to a Holder only), on the date of transmission.
3.3 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the internal laws of the State of Delaware as applied to agreements entered into among Delaware residents to be performed entirely within Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
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3.4 Successors and Assigns. The provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, permitted assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.
3.5 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Merger Agreement, and the exhibits and schedules hereto and thereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof. No party hereto shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein.
3.6 Delays or Omissions. Except as expressly provided herein, no delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party to this Agreement upon any breach or default of any other party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-defaulting party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any party to this Agreement, shall be cumulative and not alternative.
3.7 Remedies. Each holder of Registrable Securities, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, shall be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company acknowledges that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and the Company hereby agrees to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
3.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.
3.9 Titles and Subtitles. The titles and subtitles used in this Agreement are used for convenience only and are not to be considered in construing or interpreting this Agreement. All references in this Agreement to sections, paragraphs and exhibits shall, unless otherwise provided, refer to sections and paragraphs hereof and exhibits attached hereto.
3.10 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties that execute such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.
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3.11 Electronic Execution and Delivery. A facsimile, portable document format (“.PDF”) or other reproduction of this Agreement may be executed by one or more parties hereto and delivered by such party by facsimile, .PDF, or any similar electronic transmission device pursuant to which the signature of or on behalf of such party can be seen. Such execution and delivery shall be considered valid, binding and effective for all purposes. At the request of any party hereto, all parties hereto agree to execute and deliver an original of this Agreement as well as any facsimile, .PDF, or other reproduction hereof.
3.12 Further Assurances. Each party hereto agrees to execute and deliver, by the proper exercise of its corporate, limited liability company, partnership or other powers, all such other and additional instruments and documents and do all such other acts and things as may be necessary to more fully effectuate this Agreement.
3.13 Attorneys’ Fees. If any suit or action is instituted to enforce any provision in this Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.
3.14 Aggregation of Stock. All securities held or acquired by affiliated entities of or persons shall be aggregated together for purposes of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.
3.15 Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction. Any judicial proceeding brought with respect to this Agreement must be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the State of Delaware, and, by execution and delivery of this Agreement, each party (a) accepts, generally and unconditionally, the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and any related appellate court, and irrevocably agrees to be bound by any judgment rendered thereby in connection with this Agreement; and (b) irrevocably waives any objection it may now or hereafter have as to the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court or that such court is an inconvenient forum. Nothing in this Section, however, shall affect the right of any party to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by law or at equity. Each party agrees that a final judgment in any action or proceeding so brought shall be conclusive and may be enforced by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law or at equity. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING (WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.
[Signature page follows.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: | |||
FORUM MERGER III CORPORATION | |||
By: | /s/ David Boris | ||
Name: | David Boris | ||
Title: |
Co-Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer |
[Company Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement as of the date first above written.
INVESTORS: | |||
FORUM INVESTORS III LLC | |||
By: | /s/ David Boris | ||
Name: | David Boris | ||
Title: | Managing Member | ||
/s/ David Boris | |||
David Boris | |||
/s/ Neil Goldber | |||
Neil Goldberg | |||
/s/ Richard Katzman | |||
Richard Katzman | |||
/s/ Steven Berns | |||
Steven Berns | |||
/s/ Jeffrey Nachbor | |||
Jeffrey Nachbor | |||
Jefferies LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Tina Pappas | ||
Name: | Tina Pappas | ||
Title: | Managing Director |
[Investor Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
456 Investments, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Benjamin Wu | ||
Name: | Benjamin Wu | ||
Title: | Member | ||
Luo Pan Investment II, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Jason Luo | ||
Name: | Jason Luo | ||
Title: | Member | ||
The JET Group, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ James E. Taylor | ||
Name: | James E. Taylor | ||
Title: | CEO | ||
Barry S. Volpert Roth IRA | |||
By: | /s/ Barbara A. McCarthy | ||
Name: | Barbara A. McCarthy | ||
Title: | Sr.Vice President of Northern Trust Company | ||
The CGV Bunny Trust | |||
By: | /s/ Thomas S. Murphy, Jr. | ||
Name: | Thomas S. Murphy, Jr. | ||
Title: | Trustee | ||
New Era Capital EV, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Joe Lukens | ||
Name: | Joe Lukens | ||
Title: | Manager | ||
AJ Capital Investment, LLC | |||
By: | /s/ Jason Luo | ||
Name: | Jason Luo | ||
Title: | Member | ||
Partners Capital Kestrel Fund, LP – Series B | |||
By: | /s/ Steve Kaplan | ||
Name: | Steve Kaplan | ||
Title: | Authorized Signatory | ||
SF Motors, Inc. DBA SERES | |||
By: | /s/ Yu Zheng | ||
Name: | Yu Zheng | ||
Title: | Secretary of the Corporation |
[Investor Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
EXHIBIT A
INVESTORS
Name | Address or Email for Notices | |
Forum Investors III LLC | ||
Jefferies LLC |
||
456 Investments, LLC | ||
Luo Pan Investment II, LLC | ||
The JET Group, LLC | ||
Barry S. Volpert Roth IRA | ||
The CGV Bunny Trust | ||
New Era Capital EV, LLC | ||
AJ Capital Investment, LLC | ||
Partners Capital Kestrel Fund, LP – Series B | ||
David Boris | ||
Neil Goldberg | ||
Richard Katzman | ||
Steven Berns | ||
Jeffrey Nachbor | ||
SF Motors, Inc. DBA SERES |
A - 1